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Canadians vote in elections for the people they want to represent them in the House of Commons. In each
election, voters may re-elect the same members of the House of Commons or choose new ones. Members
of the House of Commons are also known as members of Parliament or MPs.
Your Canadian Citizenship
Study Guide
Federal Elections
30
Under legislation passed by Parliament, federal
elections must be held on the third Monday in
October every four years following the most
recent general election. The Prime Minister
may ask the Governor General to call an earlier
election.
Canada is divided into 308 electoral districts, also
known as ridings or constituencies. An electoral
district is a geographical area represented by a
member of Parliament (MP). The citizens in each
electoral district elect one MP who sits in the
House of Commons to represent them, as well as
all Canadians.
Canadian citizens who are 18 years old or older
may run in a federal election. The people who
run for office are called candidates. There can be
many candidates in an electoral district.
The people in each electoral district vote for the
candidate and political party of their choice. The
candidate who receives the most votes becomes
the MP for that electoral district.
Voting
One of the privileges of Canadian citizenship
is the right to vote. You are eligible to vote in
a federal election or cast a ballot in a federal
referendum if you are:
• a Canadian citizen; and
• at least 18 years old on voting day; and
• on the voters’ list.
The voters’ lists used during federal elections
and referendums are produced from the
National Register of Electors by a neutral agency
of Parliament called Elections Canada. This is
a permanent database of Canadian citizens 18
years of age or older who are qualified to vote in
federal elections and referendums.
Once an election has been called, Elections
Canada mails a voter information card to each
elector whose name is in the National Register
of Electors. The card lists when and where you
vote and the number to call if you require an
interpreter or other special services.
Even if you choose not to be listed in the National
Register of Electors or do not receive a voter
information card, you can still be added to the
voters’ list at any time, including on election day.
To vote either on election day or at advance polls,
go to the polling station listed on your voter
information card. (See voting procedures)
House of Commons
chamber