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Federal Elections
How Canadians choose their government — from registering to vote to understanding the role of the Governor General in forming a new Parliament.
What You'll Learn
- Who is eligible to vote in Canadian federal elections
- How the first-past-the-post electoral system works
- The role of Elections Canada and the Chief Electoral Officer
- How a minority government is formed
Key Facts Covered
Who Can Vote
To vote in a federal election, you must be a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old on election day, and registered on the voters list. Voting is a right and a responsibility — every citizen 18 and over is entitled to cast one secret ballot.
First-Past-the-Post
Canada uses a first-past-the-post electoral system. Each riding (electoral district) elects one Member of Parliament — the candidate with the most votes wins, even without a majority. Canada is divided into 338 ridings, one for each seat in the House of Commons.
Elections Canada
Elections Canada is the independent, non-partisan federal agency responsible for administering federal elections and referendums. It is headed by the Chief Electoral Officer, who reports directly to Parliament and cannot be dismissed by the government.
Forming a Government
The party that wins the most seats is invited by the Governor General to form the government. If no party wins a majority (170+ seats), the largest party may form a minority government and must seek the support of other parties to pass legislation.
Practice Federal Elections Questions
All 65 questions in this chapter include an explanation and a source link. Practise, then review your mistakes.