Federal elections
Chapter 6 of 10 in the official guide, Discover Canada (“Federal Elections”). This summary is ours: it does not replace the guide.
Voting is a right and a responsibility. The test checks that you know who votes, how, and how a government is formed.
Voting
- To vote in a federal election: be a Canadian citizen, be 18 on voting day and be on the voters' list. You can register on voting day.
- Elections Canada sends a voter information card that tells you when and where to vote.
- Voting is secret: no one can watch you vote or make you reveal how you voted.
- The law sets an election for the third Monday in October, four years after the last one. It can be held earlier.
After the vote
- Canada is divided into electoral districts, or ridings; each elects one Member of Parliament.
- The leader of the party with the most members usually becomes Prime Minister.
- Majority government: at least half of the seats. Minority: fewer than half; it needs the support of other parties.
- The Official Opposition is the opposition party with the most members.
Other levels of government
- Each province has its own legislature and Premier.
- Municipalities, with an elected mayor and councillors, handle local services: streets, snow removal, recycling, firefighting and often policing.
2 free questions to test yourself
Question 1 of 2
Federal elections
Who can vote in a federal election?
To vote in a federal election, you must be a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old on voting day, and on the voters' list. You can also register on voting day at your polling station.
Show the answer
C. Canadian citizens aged 18 or older who are on the voters' list To vote in a federal election, you must be a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old on voting day, and on the voters' list. You can also register on voting day at your polling station.
Question 2 of 2
Federal elections
Voting is secret in Canada. What does this mean?
In Canada, voting is secret: no one is allowed to watch you vote or look at your ballot, and no one can make you reveal how you voted.
Show the answer
B. No one can watch how you vote or make you tell how you voted In Canada, voting is secret: no one is allowed to watch you vote or look at your ballot, and no one can make you reveal how you voted.