From voter to Member of Parliament
A Canadian citizen who is at least 18 may vote in a federal election if registered. Elections Canada is the independent, non-partisan agency that administers federal elections. A voter information card tells a registered elector when and where to vote, but the card itself is not the vote.
Casting and counting the ballot
At a polling place, an election worker verifies eligibility and gives the voter a ballot. The voter marks one choice privately and returns the folded ballot for the box. Advance polls and special ballots provide alternatives for people who cannot vote at their assigned poll on election day.
Forming and questioning a government
The party that wins the most seats normally forms the government, and its leader is invited to become Prime Minister. A majority government controls at least half the House seats; a minority government has fewer than half and must find support to maintain confidence.
Key facts to remember
- Canadian citizens who are at least 18 years old may vote in a federal election when they meet registration requirements.
- Canada is divided into electoral districts called ridings or constituencies. Voters in each riding elect one Member of Parliament.
- Voting is by secret ballot. You do not have to tell anyone how you voted.
- The party with the most seats normally forms the government. Its leader is invited to become Prime Minister; the party with the second-most seats usually becomes the Official Opposition.
- A majority government holds at least half the seats in the House of Commons; a minority government holds fewer than half.
- At the polling station, an election worker verifies your eligibility, gives you a ballot, and you mark it privately before placing it in the ballot box.
Check yourself
- Who can vote in a federal election?
- A Canadian citizen aged 18 or older who is registered.
- How is a Member of Parliament chosen?
- Voters in one riding choose the local candidate with the most votes to become their MP.
- What is the difference between majority and minority government?
- A majority government has at least half the seats; a minority government has fewer than half.
- Why is the secret ballot important?
- It lets each person vote privately without pressure or a duty to reveal the choice.
Practice questions
Eight questions shaped like the official test: one right answer out of four, with the reason it is right. The timed twenty-question exams are in the app.
Who may vote in a federal election?
- Any resident aged 16+
- Canadian citizens aged 18+
- Only property owners
- Permanent residents aged 18+
Answer: Canadian citizens aged 18+. A voter must be a Canadian citizen and at least 18 years old on election day.
How is a member of Parliament chosen?
- Appointed by the premier
- Elected by voters in a local riding
- Selected by the Senate
- Chosen by municipal council
Answer: Elected by voters in a local riding. Each electoral district or riding elects one member to the House of Commons.
What should you do if your voter information card is missing or incorrect?
- You lose your vote
- Contact Elections Canada
- Ask a political party to vote for you
- Go to the provincial legislature
Answer: Contact Elections Canada. Elections Canada maintains the register and can explain how to update voter information.
What does voting by secret ballot mean?
- You cannot discuss issues before voting
- No one may watch how you mark your ballot
- Results are never published
- Only candidates see the ballots
Answer: No one may watch how you mark your ballot. Canadian law protects ballot secrecy; no one should watch or force you to reveal your vote.
Which is a valid way to vote in a federal election?
- At an Elections Canada office by special ballot
- Through a political party website
- By texting a candidate
- At any city hall without registration
Answer: At an Elections Canada office by special ballot. Voting options include election day, advance polls, mail or special ballot at an Elections Canada office.
Which party ordinarily forms the government after an election?
- The party with the oldest leader
- The party with the most seats in the House of Commons
- The party with the most senators
- The provincial party with the most votes
Answer: The party with the most seats in the House of Commons. Ordinarily, the party winning the most House of Commons seats forms government.
What is the role of opposition parties?
- They appoint judges
- They peacefully challenge and improve government proposals
- They command the armed forces
- They administer elections
Answer: They peacefully challenge and improve government proposals. Opposition parties hold government to account and offer alternatives.
Which elected official normally represents a municipal ward?
- A senator
- A councillor
- A lieutenant governor
- A federal judge
Answer: A councillor. Municipal voters elect mayors and councillors; titles vary by community.