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Voting in federal elections
- Canadian citizens who meet voting requirements can vote in federal elections.
- Canada is divided into electoral districts, also called ridings, and each riding elects one Member of Parliament.
- Voting is by secret ballot, which protects the privacy of each voter's choice.
- To vote, citizens must be on the voters list or register, then prove their identity and address at the polling place.
- An election card tells voters when and where to vote, but voters should still verify details with official election information.
After an election
- The party with enough support in the House of Commons forms government, and its leader usually becomes Prime Minister.
- Opposition parties question the government and offer alternatives.
- Citizens can participate by voting, learning about candidates, discussing issues respectfully, and contacting representatives.
- A majority government has more than half the seats in the House of Commons; a minority government has fewer than half and must seek support to pass major votes.
- The party with the second-largest number of seats is usually called the Official Opposition.
Election roles and steps
- Candidates usually represent political parties, but independent candidates can also run.
- Voters choose one candidate in their riding, not the Prime Minister directly.
- The candidate with the most votes in a riding becomes that riding's Member of Parliament.
- Citizens can participate between elections by contacting elected officials, joining public discussions, volunteering, or learning about issues.
Before voting
- Voters should confirm they are registered and know their polling location.
- During a campaign, voters can compare candidates, party platforms, leaders, and local issues.
- Election advertising, debates, news, candidate meetings, and official election information can help voters decide.
- A responsible voter thinks about both local representation and national issues.
After voting
- Votes are counted in each riding, and the candidate with the most votes wins that seat.
- The national result depends on how many seats each party wins, not only the total number of votes across Canada.
- The Governor General has a formal role in asking a leader to form government when appropriate.
- Opposition parties are important because they question government decisions and hold the government accountable.
These notes are CanHub study content written to help you review the chapter topic. Verify official requirements and test instructions with the Government of Canada when needed.
Sample Questions
Try these questions before moving to the full chapter practice. Answers are revealed after each attempt.
Question 1 of 5
Score: 0/0
What is an electoral district also called?