The Electoral System of Canada

4th Edition
For enquiries, please contact:

Public Enquiries Unit

Elections Canada
30 Victoria Street
Gatineau, Quebec
K1A 0M6
Tel.: 1-800-463-6868
Fax: 1-888-524-1444 (toll-free)
TTY: 1-800-361-8935
www.elections.ca

ISBN 978-1-100-19575-9
Cat. No.: SE1-5/1-2012E-PDF

© Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, 2015

All rights reserved

Table of Contents

Foreword .........................................................................................................................................5
The Political System .......................................................................................................................7
The Basics ..................................................................................................................................7
Representation in the House of Commons.................................................................................8
First Past the Post .......................................................................................................................9
Pillars of Electoral Democracy ...................................................................................................11
Electoral Integrity ....................................................................................................................11
Participation, Fairness and Transparency ................................................................................11
Secrecy and Privacy .................................................................................................................12
Adaptability..............................................................................................................................12
Elections Canada..........................................................................................................................13
Role, Mission and Goals ..........................................................................................................13
Non-partisan and Independent .................................................................................................14
Appointment of the Chief Electoral Officer ............................................................................15
Funding ....................................................................................................................................15
The Commissioner of Canada Elections ..................................................................................15
The Broadcasting Arbitrator ....................................................................................................16
Main Activities .............................................................................................................................17
Managing Field Operations......................................................................................................17
Maintaining the National Register of Electors.........................................................................17
Electoral Geography ................................................................................................................18
Accessibility.............................................................................................................................19
Operational and Strategic Planning .........................................................................................20
Policy, Research and Analysis .................................................................................................21
Outreach Program ....................................................................................................................21
Overseeing Political Financing ................................................................................................22
Taking Advantage of Information and Communications Technology ....................................23
International Co-operation .......................................................................................................23
The Federal Electoral Process ....................................................................................................25
Preparing for an Electoral Event ..............................................................................................25
Launching an Election .............................................................................................................28
Voting ......................................................................................................................................32
The Results...............................................................................................................................36
Election Reports .......................................................................................................................36
By-elections .............................................................................................................................37
Referendums ............................................................................................................................38
Political Financing .......................................................................................................................41
Contribution Limits ..................................................................................................................41
Tax Credits for Political Contributions ....................................................................................42
Expenses Limits .......................................................................................................................43

Table of Contents 3
 Reporting..................................................................................................................................43
Reimbursements for Candidates ..............................................................................................45
Reimbursements for Political Parties .......................................................................................45
Audit Subsidy for Registered Electoral District Associations .................................................45
Regulation of Third Parties ......................................................................................................45
How to Contact Us .......................................................................................................................47
Appendices ....................................................................................................................................49
Appendix 1: Evolution of the Federal Electoral System .........................................................49
Appendix 2: Further Information on Canada’s Electoral System Since 1867 .........................55

4 The Electoral System of Canada

Foreword

Canada’s electoral system is the outcome of a process – spanning more than 140 years since
Confederation – through which Canadians have progressively overcome exclusions from the
franchise and barriers to voting to achieve the universal, constitutionally guaranteed right to vote
and to be a candidate in a federal election.

During a federal election period, public attention tends naturally to focus on the excitement of
the political campaigns, taking for granted the administrative machinery that surrounds and
supports voting. But in addition to voters lists and polling stations, there are many measures in
place to ensure access to the ballot and help safeguard the right to vote – such as multilingual
election information, website accessibility, level access at polling stations, mobile polls, special
ballots and advance polls.

The Electoral System of Canada explains how this administrative machinery works at the federal
level. It begins by taking a look at Canada’s parliamentary system and describes the electoral
process, including what happens behind the scenes at Elections Canada, its role and activities.
This book also outlines the main characteristics of elections and referendums, describes how
electoral boundaries are redrawn and summarizes the regulatory framework for political
financing.

The aim of Elections Canada is to support the informed participation of every citizen in our
country’s democratic process. We seek to ensure an accessible electoral framework that
Canadians trust and use, thereby contributing to the overall health of Canadian democracy.

Marc Mayrand
Chief Electoral Officer of Canada

Foreword 5
The Political System

What is the foundation of Canada’s political system?

The Basics
Canada’s political system is based on that of the United Kingdom. It is a constitutional
monarchy, composed of the King of Canada, who is officially represented by the Governor
General (or by a lieutenant-governor at the provincial level), the Senate and the House of
Commons.

There are 105 seats in the Senate, whose members Overcoming Canada’s Geography
are appointed by the Governor General on the
Canada’s electoral system has evolved in
recommendation of the Prime Minister. The House
response to the country’s geography. Our
of Commons has 338 seats, held by members population, though not large in global
elected by citizens who vote in general elections or terms, is spread over an immense land
by-elections. The Government originates in the mass spanning six time zones. As a result,
elected House of Commons. According to the some electoral districts are huge and
principle of constitutional monarchy, therefore, the sparsely populated. Nunavut, for example,
King rules but does not govern. sprawls over 2,093,190 square kilometres
and comprised 31,906 people in the 2011
The Canadian Constitution is a mixture of unwritten Census. In sharp contrast, the smallest
conventions, written Acts and judicial decisions that electoral district of Papineau, in Quebec,
together form the political system. It defines the occupies only 9 square kilometres with a
jurisdiction and powers of the federal, provincial population of 100,396.
and territorial governments, each of which is
responsible for the administration of its own elections.

The Constitution Acts of 1867 and 1982 set the maximum time between federal general elections
at five years, except in time of real or apprehended war, invasion or insurrection. As well, the
Canada Elections Act specifies that a general election must be held on the third Monday in
October in the fourth calendar year following the previous general election. However, it also
allows for an election to be called earlier. This may take place if the Governor General accepts
the Prime Minister’s advice to dissolve Parliament. It may also occur if the Governor General
accepts the resignation of the Prime Minister after the Government has been defeated on a
motion of confidence in the House and the Governor General does not ask the leader of another
party to become Prime Minister and form a government.

After a general election, by convention, the leader of the party with the largest number of elected
representatives will normally form the Government. The Governor General will ask the leader of
that party to be the Prime Minister. He or she must be able at all times to maintain the confidence
of the House in order to remain in power. The party with the second-largest number of elected

The Political System 7

representatives is usually the official Opposition. The leader of this party is the Leader of the
Opposition.

The Prime Minister chooses people (usually members of the House of Commons of his or her
party) to serve as the Cabinet ministers heading various government departments. Though not
common, the Prime Minister can also appoint senators and others from outside of Parliament to
Cabinet.1

For details on elections and prime ministers since 1867, see Appendix 2.

Representation in the House of Commons

What role does geography play in democratic representation?

Representation in the House of Commons is based on geographical divisions called electoral

districts, also known as ridings. At the federal level, the number of electoral districts is
established through rules (the “representation formula”) set out in the Constitution Act, 1867.
There are 338 electoral districts, each with a corresponding seat in the House of Commons.

Since 1964, independent commissions have been entrusted with adjusting electoral district
boundaries based on population changes identified in every 10-year census. According to the
Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act, the commissions (one for each province) must also
consider communities of interest or of identity, historical patterns and the geographic size of
electoral districts. The process of readjusting the boundaries is commonly called redistribution.

The three-member electoral boundaries commissions are usually chaired by a judge, chosen by
the chief justice of the province. The two other members are appointed by the Speaker of the
House of Commons. Commissions are not required for Yukon, the Northwest Territories or
Nunavut since each territory is a single electoral district.

Elections Canada provides the commissions with technical, administrative and financial support
to help them carry out their responsibilities. Each commission publishes its proposal, holds
hearings where members of the public and parliamentarians can provide their input, then issues a
report to the House of Commons. If members of the House of Commons file objections to the
report, the commission may opt to make adjustments. All final decisions about the new electoral
boundaries are made by the commissions and published in the Canada Gazette as a
representation order.

1
For more information, see the Parliament of Canada’s House of Commons Procedure and Practice, Second
Edition, 2009.

8 The Electoral System of Canada

The redistribution process can take about two years to complete. The new boundaries and names
are used at the first general election called at least seven months after the representation order is
proclaimed.

For details on representation, see Appendix 2.

First Past the Post

How are candidates elected to Parliament?

Canada’s electoral system is referred to as a “single-member plurality” system (also commonly

called a “first-past-the-post” system). In every electoral district, the candidate with the highest
number of votes wins a seat in the House of Commons and represents that electoral district as its
member of Parliament. An absolute majority (more than 50 percent of the votes in the electoral
district) is not required for a candidate to be elected.

Any number of candidates can run for election in an electoral district, but a candidate can run in
only one riding, either independently or under the banner of a registered political party.
Similarly, each party can endorse only one candidate in an electoral district.

Candidates who are endorsed by a registered political party can have the name of that party
appear under their name on the ballot. Those who run for election without a party affiliation can
choose to have either “Independent” or no affiliation appear under their name on the ballot.
Historically, only a small percentage of candidates in a general election have run without a party
affiliation.

The Canada Elections Act defines a political party as an organization that has as one of its
fundamental purposes participating in public affairs by endorsing one or more of its members as
candidates and supporting their election to the House of Commons. Political parties that meet
this definition can register with the Chief Electoral Officer to gain official status and become
eligible to obtain certain monetary and other benefits under the Act.

The financial benefits of registration are outlined in the chapter on political financing. There are
non-financial advantages as well – for example, political parties that successfully apply for
registration at least 60 days before the issue of the election writs can have their name appear on
the ballot under the names of the candidates they endorse.

The number of registered political parties fluctuates and is usually much larger than the number
of parties represented in the House of Commons.

The Political System 9

Pillars of Electoral Democracy

What are the main characteristics of Canada’s electoral democracy?

Democracy does not implement itself, nor does it remain strong and healthy without underlying
values and a firm will to apply and enforce them. Democracy is much more than holding
elections; however, free and fair elections are one of its fundamental conditions.

Over time, Canadians have come to trust the outcome of elections as truly reflecting their
collective will without political interference. Political parties and candidates in the political arena
have also learned that they can have confidence in the fairness of the electoral process. Together,
these conditions contribute to a meaningful and peaceful environment for elections, and a lively
and long-lasting democracy.

Electoral Integrity
Federal elections are governed by a set of laws and procedures designed to allow qualified
electors to have an equal say in the selection of representatives in the House of Commons.
Electoral integrity is achieved by ensuring that all electoral participants adhere to the rules
designed to safeguard voter participation, and by uncovering and applying sanctions to practices
that interfere with it. Elections Canada’s electoral integrity program focuses on measuring the
quality and soundness of the electoral process to make sure Canadians can trust that an election
was fair and that the results accurately reflect the will of Canadians.

Participation, Fairness and Transparency

Throughout the evolution of the Canadian electoral system, legislators have worked to bring
about increased accessibility, fairness and transparency to ensure the prevalence of democratic
values.

Candidates, nomination contestants (those competing for endorsement as a party’s candidate in

an electoral district), leadership contestants, political parties, electoral district associations and
third parties (persons or groups who are not candidates, registered parties or electoral district
associations) are all subject to strict controls. These begin with an obligation for political parties,
electoral district associations, leadership contestants and third parties to register, thereby gaining
official status and some associated benefits. All political entities must comply with
administrative and legal requirements and must report their revenues, expenses and liabilities to
the Chief Electoral Officer, who makes this information available to the public.

Limits on contributions and expenses exist mainly to ensure transparency and fairness and to
reduce the possibility of undue influence. The principle is to maintain a level playing field that
attracts more participants, diversifies political discourse and increases overall participation,
including attendance at the polls.

Pillars of Electoral Democracy 11

Striking the right balance between the values of liberty and equality may be difficult.
Nevertheless, it is widely accepted that limits on contributions and expenses promote the proper
functioning of a democratic society.

In the context of democratic elections, participation includes broader forms of involvement, such
as volunteering at any level of the political process and contributing funds to political entities.
Since 1974, the law has provided an incentive in the form of tax credits to Canadians who decide
to make a financial contribution to candidates and registered political parties. This incentive was
extended in 2004 to contributions made to registered electoral district associations.

Secrecy and Privacy

Voting in Canada is by secret ballot. The security of the ballot is paramount, and the system
makes it impossible to discover for which candidate a specific voter has voted. Furthermore, a
ballot cast with a mark that could potentially allow the voter to be identified has to be rejected.
This is to ensure that no electors are intimidated or bribed into voting in a particular way.
Intimidation and bribery, as well as any attempt to reveal how an elector has voted or is going to
vote, is an offence under the Canada Elections Act.

The privacy of electors is also very important to Elections Canada, and it is enforced in all
aspects of electoral administration. For example, to enforce the right to privacy, the use of
personal information obtained for electoral purposes is strictly regulated. The law imposes
controls on who can obtain this information and how it can be used, and it sets out penalties for
non-compliance.

Adaptability
The success of the Canadian electoral system is in part a result of its ability to adapt to changing
social circumstances. Canada’s electoral laws will continue to evolve as Parliament responds to
judicial decisions and expanding public expectations and takes advantage of new technologies.
Canada’s electoral system is a reflection of Canadians’ continued concern for fairness and
democracy as well as Elections Canada’s ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence in
delivering federal electoral events.

12 The Electoral System of Canada

Elections Canada

What is Elections Canada, and how does it work?

Role, Mission and Goals

The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, also called Elections Canada, is an
independent agency set up by Parliament to administer all aspects of federal general elections,
by-elections and referendums. The mission of Elections Canada is to ensure that Canadians can
exercise their democratic right to vote and be a candidate.

Elections Canada’s fundamental goals are to be ready to deliver electoral events whenever they
may be called, continually improve election delivery and carry out ongoing responsibilities with
respect to political financing.

Originally, the Chief Electoral Officer was responsible only for the administration of federal
general elections and by-elections. Under the laws that govern federal electoral matters, this
mandate has broadened to include the administration of national referendums on constitutional
matters and other important aspects of Canada’s democratic system, such as overseeing political
financing and providing assistance in the redistribution of electoral districts. The Chief Electoral
Officer’s current responsibilities include:
 making sure that all electors have access to the electoral process through public education
and information programs as well as accessible physical facilities
 maintaining the National Register of Electors
 providing technical, financial and administrative support to the independent commissions that
periodically readjust electoral district boundaries
 registering political parties, their electoral district associations, party leadership contestants
and third parties
 administering the legislated controls on the financing sources and election expenses of
candidates, nomination contestants, party leadership contestants, registered parties, registered
electoral district associations and third parties engaged in election advertising, and examining
and disclosing their financial reports, including posting them on the Elections Canada
website at www.elections.ca
 reimbursing the election expenses of candidates and parties according to formulas set out in
the Canada Elections Act
 appointing and training returning officers and ensuring that they provide competent and
efficient services in administering the electoral process in each electoral district
 appointing the Broadcasting Arbitrator, who is tasked with allocating broadcasting time
among political parties during general elections

Elections Canada 13
In addition to administering the Canada Elections Act, the specific laws under which Elections
Canada operates are the Referendum Act and the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act. The
agency is also subject to all laws that generally apply to federal organizations, including the
Constitution Act, 1867; the Constitution Act, 1982 (which includes the Canadian Charter of
Rights and Freedoms); the Financial Administration Act; the Public Service Employment Act; the
Privacy Act; the Access to Information Act; the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Official
Languages Act.

At present, Elections Canada consists of a core staff of some 500 employees at its offices in
Ottawa-Gatineau, but this number expands significantly during a general election. The core staff
must be highly qualified to provide a high degree of readiness for an election and oversee the
hundreds of tasks that have to be carried out according to a strict timetable during electoral
events.

Non-partisan and Independent

A non-partisan electoral management body is the key to an impartial electoral process. Several
factors contribute to the independence of the Chief Electoral Officer, including Elections
Canada’s arm’s-length relationship with the Government and the budgetary mechanisms that
fund its work. (These are outlined in greater detail later in this section.) The Chief Electoral
Officer reports directly to Parliament and is thus completely independent of the Government and
political parties.

Running an election involves a large number of election officers – from returning officers, who
are responsible for administering an election in each electoral district, to deputy returning
officers and poll clerks, who help voters at every ballot box. The Chief Electoral Officer is
responsible for ensuring that election officers are politically neutral and non-partisan in all
aspects of their work.

Special precautions are taken to ensure that no political bias affects the administration of
elections. All election workers must take an oath to uphold voters’ rights and the secrecy of the
vote and to perform their duties without favouritism. Given the impartial and politically sensitive
nature of his office, the Chief Electoral Officer is the only Canadian citizen of voting age not
allowed to vote in federal elections.

14 The Electoral System of Canada

Appointment of the Chief Electoral Officer
The position of Chief Electoral Officer of Canada was created in 1920 in an effort to streamline
and standardize the administration of federal elections. The Chief Electoral Officer is appointed
by a resolution of the House of Commons. This procedure allows all parties represented in the
House of Commons to participate in the selection process, thereby adding to the independence of
the position. Six people have held this position since its inception:
 Oliver Mowat Biggar (1920–1927)
 Jules Castonguay (1927–1949)
 Nelson Jules Castonguay (1949–1966)
 Jean-Marc Hamel (1966–1990)
 Jean-Pierre Kingsley (1990–2007)
 Marc Mayrand (2007–present)

Once appointed, the Chief Electoral Officer may be removed from office only for cause, by the
Governor General, on a joint address of the House of Commons and the Senate. Before 2014, the
Chief Electoral Officer was appointed to serve until the age of 65. New appointees after 2014 are
to serve for a term of 10 years.

Funding
As an independent agency, Elections Canada is funded by an annual appropriation, which covers
the salaries of permanent full-time employees, and by a statutory authority contained in the
Canada Elections Act, the Referendum Act and the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act,
which draws on the Consolidated Revenue Fund. The statutory authority covers all other
expenditures, including the cost of preparing and conducting electoral events, maintaining the
National Register of Electors, redistribution of electoral districts and continuing public
information and education programs. The salary of the Chief Electoral Officer and contributions
to employee benefit plans are also statutory items.

The statutory authority serves to recognize Elections Canada’s independence from the
Government and from the influence of political parties. It is a critical component in maintaining
the integrity of the democratic process.

The Commissioner of Canada Elections

The Commissioner of Canada Elections is appointed for a term of seven years by the Director of
Public Prosecutions (DPP) pursuant to the Canada Elections Act. He or she is responsible for
ensuring that the Canada Elections Act and the Referendum Act are complied with and enforced.
The position was created in 1974 and was originally restricted to ensuring that the rules
concerning election financing and expenses were enforced. In 1977, the Commissioner’s
responsibilities were extended to cover all provisions of the Canada Elections Act. In 2006, the
Federal Accountability Act transferred the authority for prosecution of offences under the Act to
the DPP. In 2014, the law was amended so that the Commissioner would no longer be appointed

Elections Canada 15
by the Chief Electoral Officer, and would be relocated from within Elections Canada to within
the Office of the DPP.

The Commissioner receives complaints from the public and from Elections Canada. For
example, Elections Canada’s political financing directorate may report potential offences under
the Act that are identified during audits of the parties’, candidates’ or others’ financial returns.

The Broadcasting Arbitrator

In consultation with the political parties represented in the House of Commons, the Chief
Electoral Officer appoints a Broadcasting Arbitrator, who allocates both paid air time (provided
by broadcasters) and free air time (provided by network operators) to political parties during a
general election and free time to referendum committees during a referendum. Broadcasting time
is allocated according to a formula set out in the Canada Elections Act. The Broadcasting
Arbitrator also arbitrates time-allocation disputes between political parties and broadcasters or
network operators.

16 The Electoral System of Canada

Main Activities

What does Elections Canada do to carry out its mandate?

Managing Field Operations

Preparing, managing and delivering field operations for electoral events are central to the
mandate of Elections Canada. Among a multitude of operational tasks, the main ones are to:
 manage the supply of goods and services for an election, from ballot boxes to phone
connections for local Elections Canada offices
 print, assemble and ship all election materials to every electoral district at the appropriate
time
 develop the policies, procedures, manuals, forms and tools that facilitate registering electors,
voting and managing an election
 administer the Special Voting Rules2 and accessibility programs that make it possible for all
those who have the right to vote to exercise that right
 oversee the appointment and training of returning officers, assistant returning officers and
automation coordinators, who administer an election in each electoral district
 hire and train field liaison officers, who support returning officers in their work and act as an
intermediary between returning officers and the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer during
and between elections
 oversee and coordinate the administration of electoral events at the electoral district level
 manage the registration of electors during an electoral event
 manage the voting process itself
 manage the publication of results

Maintaining the National Register of Electors

Since 1997, Elections Canada has maintained the National Register of Electors, a permanent list
of Canadians who are qualified to vote. The Register contains each elector’s name, gender, date
of birth, mailing and residential address, electoral district, polling division and unique identifier.

2
The Special Voting Rules are set out under Part 11 of the Canada Elections Act. They allow Canadian electors to
cast their ballot by mail or in person at their local Elections Canada office.

Main Activities 17
The Register is maintained:
 through partnerships with provincial, territorial and municipal electoral bodies to share data
and monitor data quality
 by updating it with data from federal, provincial and territorial sources as well as information
provided by electors during and between elections

The Register is used to produce:

 updated lists of electors each year for members of Parliament and, upon request, for
registered political parties, to be sent by November 15 of each year
 the preliminary lists of electors for use at electoral events

During an election period, address updates, deletions and new registrations refine the lists.

The personal information of electors in the Register is protected under the Canada Elections Act
and the Privacy Act. The Canada Elections Act allows an elector to remove his or her name from
the Register by notifying the Chief Electoral Officer in writing.

The limited information obtained from federal data sources (the Canada Revenue Agency and
Citizenship and Immigration Canada) may be gathered only with the consent of the individual
concerned and may be used for electoral purposes only. Improper use of electoral information is
an offence under the Canada Elections Act.

An elector who does not want his or her personal information to be shared with other
jurisdictions for electoral purposes may notify the Chief Electoral Officer in writing. Opting out
of the Register or declining to share one’s information in the Register does not affect the
elector’s right to vote.

In addition to the National Register of Electors, Elections Canada maintains a register of electors
who are temporarily living outside Canada. This International Register of Electors includes,
among other information, the electors’ electoral districts and their civic and mailing addresses.
Canadian citizens abroad typically represent a fraction of a percent of the voters in a general
election.

Electoral Geography
Making it possible for more than 24 million electors to vote within a 12-hour period is no easy
task. Elections Canada assigns each elector to the polling station that serves the polling division
where he or she resides. Efficient management of this process relies heavily on keeping electoral
maps and geographic tools up to date and accurate. Elections Canada carries out various tasks in
this area.
 It maintains the National Geographic Database jointly with Statistics Canada. This database
contains data on streets in Canada, including their names and address ranges and many
geographical features. It is used by Elections Canada for electoral operations and
redistribution and by Statistics Canada for census operations.

18 The Electoral System of Canada

 It maintains the Electoral Geography Database, which is derived from the National
Geographic Database and contains cartographic representations of federal electoral districts,
with all polling divisions and advance polling districts. This database is used to create the
thousands of maps necessary for elections and to assign electors to the correct polling
divisions based on their addresses.
 It plans and maintains the Geographic Information System to produce both printed and
digital electoral maps as well as a variety of other geography-related documents.
 It provides technical support and digitized mapping tools to the electoral boundaries
commissions.

Geographic Information System

Elections Canada’s geographic databases provide the framework for locating electors in the National
Register of Electors in an electoral district and assigning them to a polling division (“geocoding”),
and for readjusting electoral boundaries after a 10-year census. Political parties receive digitized
versions of electoral maps as well as access to the related web application, GeoExplore, which
returning officers use to manage elections in their electoral district.

The Elections Canada website allows electors to enter their postal code to obtain information on
their electoral district and member of Parliament and, during elections, the location of their polling
station and contact information for their local Elections Canada office.

Accessibility
Elections Canada is committed to inclusive, universal and varied services that respond to the
needs of all electors.

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the right to vote in federal elections
in Canada. To make the process accessible, the Canada Elections Act provides for a variety of
voting methods and allows the Chief Electoral Officer to advertise the services it offers for
assisting voters with disabilities. It gives Elections Canada the responsibility to ensure that
polling places have level access. The agency has worked to remove the obstacles voters may
encounter by making continual improvements to the electoral process, including communications
and administrative processes.

In 2010, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal issued a decision requiring Elections Canada to
implement measures that would increase the accessibility of the electoral process for electors
with a physical disability. Elections Canada has put in place various processes to comply with
this requirement.

To ensure accessibility, the voting process includes the following features:

 flexible voting methods: voting by mail or at a local Elections Canada office; advance voting
days; mobile polls serving facilities for seniors or persons with physical disabilities; and, in
special cases, voting at home in the presence of an election officer and a witness

Main Activities 19
 as much as possible, level access to local Elections Canada offices, polling stations and other
premises used during an election
 in the event that a polling station does not have level access, provision of a transfer certificate
when requested by an elector, allowing that person to vote at another location
 if requested in advance, sign language interpreters to assist electors at the polls
 the ability to have an election officer, a friend or a relative assist an elector with a disability
in marking his or her ballot at the polls
 voting screens that admit plenty of light, lighted magnifiers to make the ballot easier to read,
Braille and large-print lists of candidates on election day, and tactile and Braille templates
that fit on top of a ballot

Election officers and community relations officers also receive training on meeting the
accessibility needs of people with varied disabilities.

In 2014, the agency launched its Advisory Group for Disability Issues. This fulfilled a
commitment by Elections Canada to ongoing consultations with groups that represent people
with disabilities. An early outcome of this consultation came in February 2015, with the
development of an accessibility policy and service offering. Among other things, the policy
describes the mechanism for feedback, complaints and inquiries from individuals concerning
accessibility. Elections Canada welcomes any input that will help it to better serve persons with
disabilities.

The agency intends to continue working with the disability community to better understand
accessibility issues and, as far as possible, reduce any barriers.

Operational and Strategic Planning

Elections Canada must be ready at all times to deliver a federal electoral event, be it a general
election, by-election or referendum. Maintaining this state of readiness requires thorough
planning and coordination of all activities, and a high degree of ability to adjust quickly as
political events unfold.

Elections Canada has developed numerous customized planning tools to prepare for upcoming
electoral events and manage the timely deployment of services after an election has been called.
(For more information on what happens during an election, see General Election Countdown
under the section The Federal Electoral Process.) A typical electoral event readiness plan tracks
more than 800 high-level, interrelated activities that must all be completed before an election.
Advanced management information systems help monitor the progress of an electoral event, at
both national and local levels, against pre-set targets and benchmarks.

Strategic planning enables Elections Canada to develop and coordinate longer-term initiatives to
address emerging national trends and improve election management.

20 The Electoral System of Canada

Policy, Research and Analysis
Elections Canada is constantly Elections Canada on the Web
connected with the electorate and the
broader environment, including The most up-to-date information on the Canadian
Parliament, the academic community, electoral process is accessible worldwide on the
Elections Canada website at www.elections.ca. The site
the media and international
provides a wealth of information on all aspects of
organizations. These connections federal elections, including:
enable it to:
 the Voter Information Service, which allows
 refine its knowledge of electoral electors to enter their postal code and learn how,
matters so that it can support the when and where to register and vote
Chief Electoral Officer in  the Online Voter Registration Service, which
developing his recommendations electors can use to find out if they are registered to
to amend the Canada Elections Act vote in federal elections, to update their address or
and in advising parliamentarians to complete their registration
on electoral matters  profiles of individual federal electoral districts,
with maps, contact information for the returning
 support strategic planning, monitor officer and a list of all candidates during elections
progress in delivering electoral
 voter registration forms, along with instructions,
events, and complete corporate
for Canadian electors in or outside Canada who
projects by conducting regular cannot or do not wish to vote at a polling station
information gathering and analysis during an election
 improve how it delivers elections  sections for political entities that inform them
by establishing links with about their rights and obligations and provide
academics, research institutes, guidance, handbooks and reporting tools
provincial and national bodies, and  written opinions, guidelines and interpretation
international organizations notes about the application of the Canada Elections
involved in electoral matters Act to political entities, issued by Elections Canada
on its own initiative or at the request of a political
 keep in touch with the Canadian party
public by making information  a live feed of election results on election night
available in a variety of ways,
 a searchable section of financial returns from all
including through its website
political entities
 media information, publications and teaching
Outreach Program resources and materials
The Canada Elections Act mandates  information about federal representation and
the Chief Electoral Officer to: electoral boundaries readjustment
 implement public education and
information programs for the purpose of making the electoral process better known to
students at the primary and secondary levels
 conduct advertising for the purpose of informing electors about the exercise of their
democratic rights or for any other purpose relating to the Chief Electoral Officer’s mandate

Main Activities 21
Elections Canada has identified groups for targeted outreach based on the electoral participation
barriers they face – particularly the barrier of a lack of information about when, where and how
to register and vote. The groups include youth and students, Aboriginal people, seniors in long-
term care facilities, ethnocultural communities, electors with disabilities and electors who are
homeless.
Elections Canada works with national and regional organizations that are able to reach members
of these groups. The agency:
 shares information about the electoral process, for distribution by partner organizations to
their stakeholders
 informs groups about Elections Canada programs, including online services and field
outreach during an election
 actively solicits the groups’ collaboration to share official voting information and promote
Elections Canada’s initiatives

Overseeing Political Financing

The Canada Elections Act establishes a detailed set of political financing rules for electoral
district associations, nomination contestants, leadership contestants, third parties, political parties
and candidates in federal elections. The rules were most recently amended by Bill C-23 in 2014.
Elections Canada’s responsibilities in the area of political financing include the following:
 reviewing for compliance with the Canada Elections Act and publishing:
– annual financial returns, and statements of assets and liabilities, of registered political
parties and their registered electoral district associations
– quarterly financial returns, required from any registered party if the candidates endorsed
by it received at least 2 percent of the valid votes cast in the most recent general election,
or 5 percent of the valid votes cast in the electoral districts where the party endorsed a
candidate
– registered party election expense returns
– leadership contestant registrations and campaign returns
– nomination campaign returns for contestants who receive or spend $1,000 or more
– candidate electoral campaign returns for general elections and by-elections
– third party election advertising returns
 reviewing the financial returns of registered referendum committees after a referendum
 administering the reimbursement of election expenses to eligible candidates (after a general
election or by-election) and to parties (after a general election)
 administering audit subsidies payable to auditors for candidates and registered associations

22 The Electoral System of Canada

Taking Advantage of Information and Communications Technology
New technology is integral to how Elections Canada manages and delivers elections. The agency
carries out a number of activities with this technology:
 managing electronic networks and intranets at headquarters and in the field to enable
communications
 maintaining and improving applications supporting the National Register of Electors and the
Electoral Geography Database, as well as several other tools that support real-time
monitoring of and reporting on electoral events
 developing and expanding Elections Canada’s social media presence
 developing customized applications that support key services, such as the Voter Information
Service, real-time broadcasting of election results and online reporting for political entities
 developing and supporting customized applications that enable political parties, electoral
district associations, candidates, nomination contestants and leadership contestants to
complete and submit financial returns required by the Canada Elections Act

International Co-operation
Since 1980, Elections Canada has contributed to multilateral and bilateral forums dedicated to
the electoral process.

Elections Canada is actively engaged with a number of international organizations, partner

electoral management bodies (EMBs) and ongoing forums of experts to identify, share and
contribute to best practices in electoral administration. Elections Canada also receives foreign
delegations who want to learn more about the Canadian electoral system.

For past Canadian general elections, Elections Canada has hosted visitors’ programs, bringing
together a number of guests, including international electoral organizations, foreign EMBs, and
chief electoral officers of Canadian provinces and territories, who learn first-hand about the
Canadian electoral process.

At the Governor in Council’s request, Elections Canada may assist and co-operate in electoral
matters with electoral agencies in other countries or international organizations.

Main Activities 23
The Federal Electoral Process

How are Canadian elections prepared and conducted?

While candidates and political parties are the most visible players during elections, they are not
the only ones involved. Behind the scenes, election workers play an essential role in making sure
that each electoral event is fair and well managed.

In a general election, a small army of poll workers staff tens of thousands of stationary and
mobile polls across the country on election day. Workers are also needed for advance polls and
in local Elections Canada offices (the latter of which are open for the full election period). A
returning officer in each of the 338 electoral districts coordinates the activities of these workers.
Field liaison officers are also hired to assist returning officers in their duties.

Based on local needs, community relations officers are hired to reach out to those most likely to
experience difficulties in exercising their democratic rights – young people and students, seniors,
members of Aboriginal and ethnocultural communities, and people who are homeless.

Preparing for an Electoral Event

Elections Canada must always be ready to deliver a general election, by-election or referendum.
It updates the National Register of Electors year-round, trains new returning officers and
prepares many tonnes of materials. In the field, returning officers complete pre-event
assignments, such as setting up polling divisions and selecting potential locations for polling
places, among many other tasks.

The National Register of Electors

Elections Canada uses data from the National Register of Electors to produce the preliminary
lists of electors and voter information cards for a general election, by-election or referendum.
Provincial, territorial and municipal electoral agencies may also use information from the
Register to update their voters lists, as permitted under the Canada Elections Act and where data-
sharing agreements have been signed.

The Federal Electoral Process 25

According to Statistics Canada, about 17 percent of voter information changes every year. The
Register is updated continually with data from these sources:
 the Canada Revenue Agency, for people who tick both of the “Yes” boxes in the Elections
Canada section of their tax form, which asks if they have Canadian citizenship and agree to
share their name, date of birth and address
 Citizenship and Immigration Canada, for new citizens who tick both of the “Yes” boxes on
their citizenship application form, agreeing to share their name, gender, date of birth and
address
 National Defence, for Canadian Forces Regular Force members who have completed a
Statement of Ordinary Residence form
 provincial and territorial motor vehicle agencies3
 provincial and territorial vital statistics agencies4
 provincial and territorial voters lists
 voters lists from recent elections in other Canadian jurisdictions
 electors themselves when they register to vote or update their registration during and between
elections

Online Voter Registration Service

In 2012, Elections Canada launched the Online Voter Registration Service on its website. This
convenient Internet-based service offers Canadians an additional way to check whether they are
registered to vote, update their registration information or be added to the National Register of
Electors. Rather than replacing current registration methods, it complements them.

The service can only be used for some transactions, since the Canada Elections Act requires a
signature or documentary proof of identity in certain cases. Numerous security safeguards are in
place to protect electors’ privacy.

3
Except for the province of Quebec, where driver information updates are reflected in the provincial electoral list.
4
Except in Quebec, where vital statistics information is reflected in the provincial electoral list.

26 The Electoral System of Canada

 How Electors Can Use Online Registration
Check whether Confirm whether they are registered to vote (using their name, address and date of
they are registered birth for identification purposes).
Between elections: any time
During elections: any time
Update address if Update their previously registered address (using their name, address and date of
already registered birth for identification purposes).
Between elections: any time
During elections: up to the Tuesday before election day at 6 p.m. (local time)
Add their name to New potential electors identified in information from the Canada Revenue Agency
the Register or provincial or territorial motor vehicle agencies can add their names to the
Register by confirming their citizenship after having consented to share
information with the Register. Electors must provide their name, address and date
of birth for identification purposes, and their driver’s licence number (or provincial
or territorial ID card issued by Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador,
Saskatchewan or Yukon) to validate their registration.
Between elections: any time
During elections: up to the Tuesday before election day at 6 p.m. (local time)
Complete, print Between and during elections, until the Tuesday before election day: All new
and submit a electors can use the service to complete a registration form. They must print, sign,
registration form and mail or fax the form to Elections Canada along with proof of identity and
address.
During elections, after the Tuesday before election day: Unregistered electors
can use the service to print a registration certificate, which they can bring (along
with proof of identity and address) to the polling place on election day to facilitate
their registration.

Returning Officers
The key election officer in each of the 338 federal electoral districts is the returning officer.
Appointed by the Chief Electoral Officer through an open and merit-based competitive process,
returning officers work under the general supervision of the Chief Electoral Officer. They
receive support from Elections Canada staff at headquarters and a network of regional field
liaison officers who provide functional leadership.

Legally, a returning officer must be a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years of age, who lives in the
electoral district where he or she is appointed. In practice, however, the returning officer must be
much more. The job is demanding and the duties varied. Along with serious commitment,
detailed knowledge of the federal electoral process and a wide range of management skills are
essential.

The Federal Electoral Process 27

Returning officers must abide by a code of professional conduct and must abstain from all
politically partisan activities, both during and between elections and referendums. They are
appointed for a 10-year term and remain in the position for that time, unless the electoral district
boundaries change as a result of redistribution or they move out of the electoral district, resign or
are removed by the Chief Electoral Officer.

Setting Up Polling Divisions

To facilitate the vote, every electoral district must be divided into polling divisions, and a voters
list must be drawn up for each. Polling divisions are also used to direct electors to their specific
voting location. There are tens of thousands of polling divisions across the country.

Selecting Locations for Polling Places

Returning officers select convenient and accessible locations for polling places, for both advance
voting and election day. Polling places are usually set up in well-known, central locations such
as community centres and schools. They must be equipped with level access to meet the
requirements of the Canada Elections Act.

Preparing Supplies
The agency develops administrative procedures and prepares maps, instruction kits, forms,
information materials, ballot paper and boxes, and other supplies that will be needed to conduct
an election. If an election is thought to be imminent, early shipments are sent to returning
officers’ homes and staging points across the country.

Launching an Election
The Canada Elections Act states that a general election will be held on the third Monday of
October in the fourth calendar year following election day for the previous general election.

However, the Governor General has the discretion to decide to dissolve Parliament and call a
general election at an earlier date. The Governor General may do so:
 after the Government of the day loses a confidence vote in the House of Commons, or
 at any time on the advice of the Prime Minister

After receiving the official proclamation of election, the Chief Electoral Officer issues a writ to
the returning officer of each electoral district. The writ is a formal document directing a returning
officer to conduct an election in his or her electoral district and on which, after election day, the
returning officer writes the name of the winning candidate. By law, election day must be at least
36 days after the issue of the writs. There is no maximum number of days for this period.

Once advised of the election, returning officers rent office space, open local Elections Canada
offices and provide the services that will enable electors to exercise their right to vote. The
returning officers sign and issue a Notice of Election for their electoral district, informing voters
of important dates and other details.

28 The Electoral System of Canada

Opening the Local Elections Canada Offices
Each returning officer rents space and furniture in an accessible location in his or her electoral
district and opens an office. This office is open during the hours set by the Chief Electoral
Officer, and it serves as the centre of field operations for that electoral district for the duration of
the election. Staff must be hired and trained immediately because the office is expected to begin
functioning without delay.

General Election Countdown

Between the Election Call and Election Day
 The Governor General issues proclamations dissolving Parliament and directing that the writs of
election be issued.
 The Chief Electoral Officer issues the writs, which direct returning officers to hold an election in
each electoral district.
 Returning officers open their offices.
 Voting by special ballot begins.
 Elections Canada sends preliminary lists of electors to returning officers.
 Preliminary candidate and party election expenses limits are calculated.
 Revision of the lists of electors begins.
 Voter information cards are mailed to registered electors.
 Returning officers receive candidates’ nomination papers and deposits.
 Returning officers have regular ballots printed.
 Canadian Forces electors begin voting.
 Voting takes place at advance polls.
 Voting by incarcerated electors and those in acute care hospitals begins.
 Revision ends, and the deadline for special ballot registration expires.
 Revised candidate and party election expenses limits are calculated.

Election Day
 Electors vote at ordinary and mobile polling stations.
 The ballots are counted in each polling division and electoral district.
 Preliminary voting results are available after the polls close.

Wrap-up
 Returning officers carry out the validation of the results.
 Judicial recounts are conducted, if necessary.
 Returning officers return the writs, which declare the winning candidate in each electoral district.
 The Chief Electoral Officer reports on the election and the official results.
 Candidates, political parties and third parties submit financial reports.
 Candidates’ and political parties’ expenses are partially reimbursed.
 Candidates dispose of surplus funds.

The Federal Electoral Process 29

Revising the Preliminary Lists
As soon as possible after the election is called, Elections Canada sends the preliminary lists of
electors to each returning officer. Soon afterward, voter information cards are mailed to every
registered elector. Each card shows the elector’s name and address, says when and where to vote
and how to contact the returning officer, and indicates the polling station’s level of accessibility.

Between the beginning of the election period and the sixth day before election day, the lists of
electors are revised as needed by adding, deleting and correcting the information they contain. If
an elector has moved within an electoral district, he or she can have the information changed
over the telephone on providing satisfactory proof of identity and address. Voters can also
register in person at the advance polls or on election day after showing proof of identity and
address.

Returning officers also carry out a targeted revision of selected areas of their electoral district.
During the revision period, returning officers send pairs of revising agents door to door in areas
where electors are less likely to appear on the preliminary voters list at their current address.
Examples of such areas are new residential developments, college and university residences,
high-mobility neighbourhoods (including off-campus student housing) and long-term care
facilities.

The returning officer then prepares revised lists of electors to be used at the advance polls as well
as a second set of revised lists, called the official lists, to be used on election day. In addition, on
the 19th day before election day, the returning officer distributes to each candidate who requests
it an electronic copy of the most current list of electors for that electoral district.

Nominating Candidates
After the returning officer publishes the Notice of Election, candidates have until the close of
nominations at 2:00 p.m. on the 21st day before election day to submit their nomination paper.
Each paper includes the name, address and signature of at least 100 electors (or, in certain
specified large and sparsely populated ridings, 50 electors) resident in the electoral district who
support the nomination, and it is submitted to the returning officer along with a $1,000 deposit.
The returning officer then has 48 hours after the nomination paper is filed to verify that the
documentation is complete and complies with the Canada Elections Act before confirming or
refusing the candidacy. If a candidate is refused, he or she may submit corrected papers up until
the close of nominations.

Registering Political Parties

A political party must be properly registered with the Chief Electoral Officer if it wants to issue
tax receipts for contributions, be eligible to receive partial reimbursements of its election
expenses, and have its name appear on the ballots under its candidates’ names. An eligible party
becomes registered when it has at least one candidate whose nomination is confirmed for a
general election or by-election, so long as its application for registration was made with the Chief
Electoral Officer at least 60 days before the issue of the writs and has not been withdrawn. A
party whose application was made after the 60 days becomes registered for the next general
election or any by-election that precedes it if the party endorses a candidate in that election.

30 The Electoral System of Canada

 Requirements for Political Party Registration
As part of the information and documentation required, a political party must include the following in
its application for registration:
 the political party’s full name
 the party’s short-form name, or its abbreviation, if any, that is to be shown in election documents
 the party’s logo, if any
 a copy of the party’s resolution appointing the leader
 the address of the party’s office where records are maintained and to which communications may
be addressed
 the names and addresses of the chief agent, auditor and officers of the party as well as their
signed consent to act
 the names and addresses of at least 250 electors and their signed declarations that they are
members of the party and that they support its application for registration
 a signed declaration by the leader that one of the fundamental purposes of the party is to
participate in public affairs by endorsing one or more of its members as candidates and
supporting their election

The Chief Electoral Officer must be satisfied that the application is complete and the information it
contains
Voter is accurate. Card
Information The Chief
andElectoral
Reminder Officer may ask for additional documents (including the
Brochure
party’s constitution, by-laws and program) to determine that one of the party’s fundamental purposes
Asmeets
soonthe
as legislative
possible after the issue of the writs but not later than the 24th day before election day,
requirement.
returning officers send a voter information card5 to each elector whose name appears on the
preliminary lists.6 In addition to confirming an elector’s registered status, the card informs the
elector about voting at an advance poll or on election day. This includes the address of the
elector’s advance and ordinary polling stations as well as the dates and hours for voting. The
voter information card cannot be used for identification purposes.

Shortly afterward, Elections Canada sends a generic reminder brochure to every household in
Canada. The brochure instructs electors to contact Elections Canada if they have not received a
voter information card. The reminder brochure also lists the dates for voting in advance, on
election day and by special ballot, as well as Elections Canada’s telephone and teletypewriter
(TTY) numbers and website address. In addition, it lists all of the documents that voters can use
to prove their identity and address when they vote, and explains all of the options available for
identifying themselves at the polls.

5
The Canada Elections Act refers to this document as a “notice of confirmation of registration.”
6
A voter information card is also sent to each elector who registers during the revision period of the election.

The Federal Electoral Process 31

Voting
There are a number of ways to vote. The most common way is at the ordinary polls on election
day. Voters can also cast their ballots at an advance poll, or they can vote by special ballot either
at an Elections Canada office or through the mail. As additional services, Elections Canada
provides mobile polls for voters living in long-term care facilities and, in certain cases, bedside
voting by special ballot for voters in acute care hospitals. In exceptional circumstances – where a
voter is registered for a special ballot but cannot go to the local Elections Canada office or mark
the ballot because of a disability – an election officer can go to the voter’s home to help mark
and receive the ballot in the presence of a witness.

Ordinary Polls
The great majority of voters choose to cast their ballots at the ordinary polls on election day.
During the hours that the polls are open, electors go to the polling station indicated on their voter
information card, have their name crossed off the voters list and go behind a voting screen to
mark their ballot.

Electors who have not already registered to vote can register at the polling station on election day
(or at the advance polls) after showing proof of identity and address.

Voter Identification at the Polls and at Local Offices

When voting at the polls on election day, at an advance poll or at a local Elections Canada office,
voters are required to prove their identity and address before being handed a ballot.

Electors have three options for proving their identity and address:
 They can show one original piece of identification, issued by a Canadian government
(federal, provincial or local) or agency of that government, that contains their photo, name
and address. An example is a driver’s licence.
 They can show two original pieces of identification authorized by the Chief Electoral Officer.
Both pieces must have their name, and one must also have their address. Examples include a
health card and a hydro bill.
 Electors who have two pieces of identification with their name, but not their address, can
take an oath in writing and have someone who knows them personally attest to their address.
The attesting person must show proof of identity and address, be registered in the same
polling division, and attest for only one person.

A complete list of the pieces of identification authorized by the Chief Electoral Officer can be
found at www.elections.ca.

32 The Electoral System of Canada

Voting Hours on Election Day
The Canada Elections Act requires polling stations to be open for voting for 12 consecutive
hours on election day.
Staggered Voting Hours
The hours of voting are To compensate for Canada’s six time zones, polls open and
staggered by time zone so that close (in local time) as follows:
a majority of results will be Newfoundland Time 8:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
available at approximately the
Atlantic Time 8:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
same time across the country.
If necessary, the Chief Eastern Time 9:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Electoral Officer may modify Central Time* 8:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
the voting hours in a riding to Mountain Time* 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
make them coincide with the Pacific Time 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
voting hours in other ridings
*In Saskatchewan, when Daylight Saving Time is in effect for the rest of the
in the same time zone. country, voting hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (local time).

Regular Paper Ballot

The election ballot lists the names of the

candidates in alphabetical order along with
each one’s political affiliation, unless they
choose to have either “Independent” or no
affiliation under their name.

The voter takes the ballot behind the voting

screen and makes a clear mark in the circle
beside the preferred name.

Marking the Ballot

The voter goes to the polling station specified on the voter information card, and the poll clerk
crosses the voter’s name off the voters list. After verifying the voter’s identity and address, the
deputy returning officer hands the voter a folded ballot with the initials of the deputy returning
officer on the back of the ballot.

The voter then goes behind a table with a voting screen and places a mark in the white circle next
to the name of the candidate of his or her choice. The voter re-folds the ballot so that the deputy
returning officer’s initials are visible and hands it to the deputy returning officer. The deputy
returning officer checks the initials and the serial number shown on the counterfoil, removes and
destroys the counterfoil, and returns the ballot to the voter. The voter, or the deputy returning
officer at the voter’s request, places the folded ballot in the ballot box. The poll clerk then places

The Federal Electoral Process 33

a mark in the “Voted” column beside the voter’s name on the voters list. These procedures apply
to all voters to ensure the secrecy of the vote.

Advance Voting
Four days – Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, the 10th, 9th, 8th and 7th days before
election day – are designated for advance voting. They are meant to accommodate electors who
will be unable, or do not wish, to vote on election day. Advance polls are open from noon to
8:00 p.m. The dates and the location of each elector’s designated advance polling station are
indicated on the voter information card. The voting procedure is almost the same as at the
ordinary polls. A growing percentage of electors choose to vote at the advance polls.

An elector whose name is not on the revised voters list can register in person at the designated
advance polling station by showing satisfactory proof of identity and address. After having his or
her identity and address verified and signing a registration certificate, the elector is registered
and handed a ballot.

Special Ballot
The Canada Elections Act provides alternative voting procedures specifically designed for
electors who:
 are temporarily residing outside Canada (for less than five consecutive years, with certain
exceptions) at the time of an election
 reside in Canada and wish to vote by special ballot
 are members of the Canadian Forces
 are incarcerated

Electors residing outside Canada may apply at any time to be listed in the International
Register of Electors. Shortly after an election period begins, those listed are mailed a special
ballot voting kit containing a special ballot and three envelopes. They can submit their ballot
through a Canadian embassy, Canadian high commission, Canadian Forces base or Canadian
consular office, or directly to Elections Canada in Ottawa. Those who are not yet listed can
register for a special ballot during the election period until 6:00 p.m. on the sixth day before
election day. Application forms are available at Canadian diplomatic or consular offices, on the
Elections Canada website or directly from Elections Canada headquarters.

Electors residing in Canada can register to vote by special ballot at the latest 6:00 p.m. on the
sixth day before election day, whether they are in Canada or travelling abroad. Application forms
are available at local Elections Canada offices, Canadian embassies, consular offices, passport
offices, on the Elections Canada website, or directly from Elections Canada headquarters. Once
applications are accepted, special ballot voting kits are mailed to the electors or provided on the
spot if they applied in person at a local office. As well, once the application for registration and
special ballot of an elector residing in Canada has been accepted, the elector cannot vote in any
other way.

34 The Electoral System of Canada

Regardless of where they cast their special ballot, electors can vote only for a candidate who is
running in their own electoral district. To preserve the secrecy of the vote, after an elector marks
the ballot, he or she seals it in the unmarked envelope, puts that sealed envelope in an outer
envelope with the name of the electoral district on it, seals the second envelope and puts it in the
mailing envelope.

Special ballots can be returned in person, by mail or by courier (with the exception of those from
incarcerated electors). If they are voting from outside their electoral district, electors must ensure
that their ballot arrives at Elections Canada in Ottawa before 6:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on
election day to be counted as valid. If they are voting from within their electoral district, their
ballot must arrive at their local Elections Canada office before the polling stations close on
election day.

Electors who are in the Canadian Forces or incarcerated also vote by special ballot, using slightly
different procedures specifically designed for them. The former vote at military bases or civilian
polling stations and the latter in correctional institutions. Canadian Forces electors can vote by
mail or at polling stations set up in their units during a specific voting period. They can also vote
at the civilian polling station associated with the address on their Statement of Ordinary
Residence, provided they are residing there at the time of an electoral event.

Electors who are in a correctional institution or federal penitentiary may vote within their facility
on the 10th day before election day. They must first complete a special ballot application form,
available from a staff member appointed for the event. Their application forms and marked
ballots are forwarded by special arrangement to Elections Canada in Ottawa. Alternatively,
inmates may choose to mail their ballot themselves.

Special Ballot

The special ballot has a dotted line on which the

voter writes the full name, or the initials and last
name, of the candidate of his or her choice.

Its generic form enables voting by mail or in

person at any local Elections Canada office.

The Federal Electoral Process 35

The Results
Shortly after the polls close on election day, the preliminary results begin to come in to Elections
Canada. As the reports arrive from the various polling stations on election night, Elections
Canada releases the results to the media for immediate publication or broadcast. Simultaneously,
Elections Canada hosts a live feed on its website of the preliminary results by riding, by major
centre, by province or territory, nationwide and by political party leader.

Validation of the Results

Within seven days after election day (unless exceptional circumstances prevent some ballot
boxes or information from being available on time), each returning officer validates the results
by examining the documents relating to the vote count to verify the election night calculations.
Only after the validation has been completed can the official voting results be published.

Judicial Recounts
A judicial recount is automatically requested by the returning officer and conducted by a judge if
the number of votes separating the candidate with the most votes and any other candidate is less
than one one-thousandth of the total number of votes cast in that electoral district. A recount may
also be conducted if it appears to a judge to whom a request for a recount has been made that an
error may have occurred during the count.

If the two top-ranking candidates have received the same number of votes after a recount, a
by-election is held in that electoral district.

Election Reports
The Return of the Writs
After the sixth day following the validation of the results (or without delay after a judicial
recount), the returning officer records the winning candidate’s name on the writ received at the
beginning of the election, signs it and returns it to the Chief Electoral Officer.

The Chief Electoral Officer’s Reports

Following each general election, the Chief Electoral Officer produces three reports.

Report 1: Chronology of the General Election

The first report is a factual and chronological description of key events during the general
election. It also outlines any measures taken or proposed to be taken to improve the accuracy of
the lists of electors. The report is prepared within 90 days of the return of the writs.

Report 2: Retrospective of the General Election

The second report is prepared within nine months of the election to provide a richer understanding
of the event. It contains the official voting results and the conclusions of the independent audit of
poll workers’ performance. It indicates, by polling division, the number of additions, corrections
or deletions made to the lists of electors. It highlights how Elections Canada planned, prepared
and administered the election. It presents the electoral experience from the viewpoint of electors,

36 The Electoral System of Canada

political entities and the agency itself. It also shares specific lessons learned, making links to the
report prepared immediately after the event and the report of recommendations, to be submitted to
the Speaker of the House of Commons at a later date.

Report 3: Recommendations on Improving Canada’s Electoral Framework

The third report contains the Chief Electoral Officer’s recommendations to Parliament for
legislative improvements to the Canada Elections Act. It is based not only on the experience of
the most recent general election but also on issues that have emerged during the entire electoral
cycle (including, for example, in the context of nomination contests or leadership contests).

Elections Canada publishes each of these reports and makes them available at www.elections.ca.

By-elections
Between general elections, when a seat in the House of Commons becomes officially vacant, the
Speaker must inform the Chief Electoral Officer without delay with a Speaker’s warrant for the
issue of a writ for the election of a new member. Between the 11th and the 180th day after the
Chief Electoral Officer receives this warrant, the Governor General, acting on the advice of the
Prime Minister, must set the date for holding a by-election.

Once the date is known, the Chief Electoral Officer issues a writ to the returning officer of the
electoral district concerned, directing him or her to hold a by-election on that date. If a general
election is called after the by-election writ has been issued and before the by-election is held, the
writ for the by-election is considered withdrawn, and the Chief Electoral Officer publishes a
notice in the Canada Gazette to that effect.

Conduct of By-elections
A by-election is conducted in almost the same way as a general election, except that it is held in
only one or a few specified electoral districts. There are some other differences, as outlined in the
table below.

The Federal Electoral Process 37

 General Election By-election
A general election always follows a dissolution The House of Commons is not dissolved.
of the House of Commons.
To allow electors in the Canadian Forces to Elections Canada automatically sends a special
vote, a polling station is set up on every base for ballot voting kit to each Canadian Forces
a specified period before election day. elector who is registered in an electoral district
where a by-election is taking place.
To allow electors in correctional institutions to If Elections Canada approves an application
vote, a polling station is set up in every from an incarcerated elector whose place of
correctional institution, and voting takes place ordinary residence is in the electoral district
on the 10th day before election day. where the by-election is being held, it sends a
special ballot voting kit to the elector.
To vote in a general election, the elector must To vote in a by-election, the elector must have
be ordinarily resident in the electoral district on been ordinarily resident in the electoral district
election day. from the beginning of the revision period until
election day.
Political parties receive partial reimbursement Political parties receive no reimbursement for
for the election expenses they incur. the election expenses they incur.
The Broadcasting Arbitrator determines the Registered political parties are not allocated
allocation of free and paid broadcasting time broadcasting time to advertise during a
among registered political parties. by-election.
The Chief Electoral Officer submits a report The Chief Electoral Officer submits a report
covering the administration of a general election 90 days after the end of the year, covering the
within 90 days after the return of the writs. administration of all by-elections held during
that year.

Referendums
Three federal referendums have been held in Canada since Confederation: in 1898, on whether to
prohibit the sale of alcohol; in 1942, on compulsory military service (conscription); and in 1992,
on the Charlottetown constitutional accord. Under the Referendum Act that came into force just
before the 1992 referendum, only questions related to the Constitution of Canada can be asked in
a federal referendum.

Federal referendums and elections cannot be held on the same day. The Referendum Act allows
the Chief Electoral Officer to adapt the Canada Elections Act by regulation to apply it to a
referendum.

Calling a Referendum
Before the referendum period officially begins, the Government submits the text of the
referendum question7 to the leader of the official Opposition and to each political party
represented by at least 12 members in the House of Commons. After this consultation, which
must last a minimum of three days, a notice of a motion for approval of the question is submitted
7
More than one question can be asked in the same referendum.

38 The Electoral System of Canada

to the House of Commons, which has a maximum of three days to study the text of the question
and vote on it. The House of Commons thereafter informs the Senate of the adoption of the
motion; the Senate, in turn, has three days to vote on it.

The referendum period starts officially on the day when the text of the referendum question is
approved on concurrence of the House and Senate, and it ends on referendum day. When the text
of the question is approved, the Governor General, acting on the advice of Cabinet, has 45 days
to issue the proclamation to submit the question to electors, specifying whether it will be put to
all Canadian electors or only to those of one or more provinces or territories. As soon as the
proclamation is issued, the Chief Electoral Officer issues writs of referendum to the appropriate
returning officers, instructing them to conduct a referendum. As with general elections, polling
day in a referendum cannot be earlier than the 36th day after the writs are issued.

The Chief Electoral Officer must inform the public of the referendum question and the manner in
which the referendum will be conducted. However, he may not inform the public or answer
public inquiries about arguments in support of or in opposition to the Yes or No options.

The Chief Electoral Officer must also make the text of the question available in the Aboriginal
languages selected after consultation with representatives of Aboriginal groups. In the 1992
referendum, for example, the question was translated into 37 of the 53 Aboriginal languages used
in Canada.

Referendum Committees and Advertising

The Referendum Act defines a “referendum committee” as any person who, or group that, intends
to incur referendum expenses of over $5,000. All referendum committees must register with the
Chief Electoral Officer.

In principle, there is no limit to the number of referendum committees. In 1992, for example,
241 referendum committees were established in support of the Yes or No options.

Referendum committees may advertise to support or oppose one side or the other of the
referendum issue, but must identify themselves as sponsors in their advertising. Like political
parties in an election, registered referendum committees may apply to the Broadcasting
Arbitrator for free broadcasting time. The Broadcasting Arbitrator allocates the broadcasting
time available among the registered committees so that the time is allocated equally to
committees that support the referendum question and committees that oppose it.

The Federal Electoral Process 39

Committees also have the right to appoint one agent to be present at each polling station on
referendum day. They must report their contributions and expenses to the Chief Electoral
Officer, providing the names of all persons, entities or groups that contributed more than $250.
Referendum committees are not eligible for expenses reimbursements.

Referendum Ballot, 1992

The referendum ballot shows the referendum
question, and the words “Yes” and “No,” in
English and French. (By law, the text is also
made available in Aboriginal languages.)

40 The Electoral System of Canada

Political Financing

How is money regulated throughout federal elections?

The Canada Elections Act provides a framework designed to make the financing of the political
system transparent and fairer. This includes requirements respecting contributions to and
spending by various entities involved in the federal electoral system.

Disclosure requirements have existed for candidates since the beginning of the 20th century, but
the current regime was essentially laid out with the introduction of political party registration and
the Election Expenses Act in 1974. The latter introduced limits on election expenses for both
candidates and political parties, as well as the first forms of public funding through partial
reimbursement of expenses and tax credits for contributions. As of January 1, 2004, the scope of
the legislation was extended to electoral district associations, nomination contestants and
leadership contestants.

Limits on contributions adopted in 2003 became effective in January 2004. Further restrictions
were imposed as of January 1, 2007; consequently, corporations and trade unions are no longer
allowed to make political contributions.

Legislation passed in 2014 introduced a new set of rules on political financing. The legislation
increased contribution limits and set matching limits on testamentary dispositions. It raised by
5 percent the spending limits for parties and candidates. In the case of an election period longer
than the statutory minimum of 36 days, the legislation provided for proportionate increases in
spending limits for registered parties, candidates and third parties. The legislation modified and
standardized rules for loans to registered parties, registered associations, candidates, and
nomination and leadership contestants.

Transparency measures and limits are also imposed on election advertising by third parties –
persons or groups other than candidates, registered parties or electoral district associations of a
registered party.

Contribution Limits
Major changes to the political financing regime that came into effect in 2004 and 2007 set limits
on political contributions. These were revised upward in 2014 and will increase annually by $25
after 2015.

Political Financing 41
 Limits on Contributions, Loans and Loan Guarantees, 2015*

To see current limits, click here.

Political Entities Citizens and Permanent Residents Only
Political parties A maximum of $1,500 per calendar year to each of the
registered political parties
Electoral district associations A maximum of $1,500 per calendar year, in the aggregate, to
Nomination contestants the registered electoral district associations, nomination
contestants and candidates of each of the registered political
Party-endorsed candidates parties
Independent candidates A maximum of $1,500 per election to each independent
candidate
Leadership contestants A maximum of $1,500 per calendar year, in the aggregate, to all
of the contestants in a leadership contest
*
Amounts increase yearly by $25, as of January 1, 2016.

A cap of $5,000 is placed on the amount that candidates may contribute to their own campaigns.
For leadership contestants, the cap is $25,000. Nomination contestants can contribute an amount
that does not exceed $1,000 in total out of their own funds to their own campaign in addition to
the permitted contribution limit.

Tax Credits for Political Contributions

Although contributions can take the form of money, goods or services, only a contribution of
money to a registered political party, a registered electoral district association or a candidate
qualifies for an income tax credit under the Income Tax Act. According to a Canada Revenue
Agency interpretation, a monetary contribution to a candidate is eligible for a credit only if it is
received between the date that the candidate’s nomination is confirmed by the returning officer
and 30 days after election day.

Tax Credits
Contribution Tax Credit
$0.01 to $400 75 percent
$400.01 to $750 $300 plus 50 percent of the amount by which the contribution
exceeds $400
$750.01 and over The lesser of:
 $475 plus 33⅓ percent of the amount by which the
contribution exceeds $750; and
 $650

42 The Electoral System of Canada

Expenses Limits
The Canada Elections Act defines an election expense as any cost incurred, or non-monetary
contribution received, by a registered party or a candidate that is used to directly promote or
oppose a registered party, its leader or a candidate during an election period. Such expenses are
subject to limits for candidates and registered political parties. These limits are calculated
according to a formula based on the number of names on the preliminary or revised lists of
electors for each electoral district, and on the length of the election period. (For a party, the
electoral districts are those in which the party has endorsed confirmed candidates.)

Expenses limits are also calculated for nomination campaigns. The Canada Elections Act defines
a nomination campaign expense as an expense reasonably incurred by or on behalf of a
nomination contestant during a nomination contest as an incidence of the contest. For a
nomination campaign, a nomination contestant can spend 20 percent of the amount allowed for a
candidate’s election expenses in the same riding during the previous general election if the
boundaries of the electoral district have not changed since then. In any other case, a nomination
contestant can spend the amount that the Chief Electoral Officer determines.

The Canada Elections Act does not set limits on the amount of leadership campaign expenses
that each contestant may incur. A registered party may set its own limits by internal rules, but
such limits are not enforceable through the Act.

Third parties are limited in the amount that they can spend on election advertising.

Electoral district associations cannot incur election advertising expenses during an election.

Reporting
Each electoral participant or political entity must submit financial reports to the Chief Electoral
Officer. The reports must include the name and address of anyone contributing more than $200.
All financial reports are published at www.elections.ca.

Political Financing 43
Reporting Schedule
Entity Return Deadline Requirement
Registered  Statement of assets and  Six months after  Mandatory
political party liabilities registration
 Quarterly return  30 days after the end  Mandatory (if received 2% of
of the quarter votes cast nationally or 5% of
votes cast in all electoral
districts where it endorsed
candidates in the last general
election)
 Financial transactions  June 30 each year  Mandatory
return
 General election  Eight months after the  Mandatory
expenses return election
Registered  Statement of assets and  Six months after  Mandatory
electoral liabilities registration
district
association  Financial transactions  May 31 each year  Mandatory; include auditor’s
return report if contributions or
expenses equalled $5,000 or
more in the year
Candidate  Electoral campaign  Four months after  Mandatory
return election day
Nomination  Nomination campaign  Four months after  Only when $1,000 or more
contestant return selection date (or received in contributions or
election day in certain incurred in nomination
circumstances) campaign expenses; include
auditor’s report if contributions
or nomination contest expenses
equalled $10,000 or more for
the contest
Leadership  Report on  On registration  Mandatory
contestant contributions
 Two interim reports on  Three weeks before  Mandatory if $10,000 or more
contributions and two days before received in contributions or
end of contest incurred in leadership campaign
expenses
 Leadership campaign  Six months after end  Mandatory; include auditor’s
return of contest report if $5,000 or more
received in contributions or
incurred in leadership campaign
expenses
Third party  Election advertising  Four months after  Only if $500 or more incurred
report election day in election advertising
expenses; include auditor’s
report if $5,000 or more
incurred in advertising
expenses

44 The Electoral System of Canada

Reimbursements for Candidates
A candidate who is elected or receives at least 10 percent of the valid votes cast in his or her
electoral district, complies with the financial reporting provisions and submits an auditor’s report
is entitled to a reimbursement of election and personal expenses paid, up to a maximum of
60 percent of the election expenses limit established for the electoral district. This reimbursement
is publicly funded. Once a candidate has complied with the requirements for filing his or her
electoral campaign return, and has returned all unused prenumbered income tax receipts
optionally received at the beginning of the election period, the nomination deposit of $1,000 is
also returned.

All candidates also receive an audit subsidy equal to the greater of:
(a) The amount of the expenses incurred for the audit, up to a maximum of the lesser of
3 percent of the candidate’s election expenses and $1,500; and
(b) $250

The subsidy is paid directly to a candidate’s auditor.

Reimbursements for Political Parties

Registered parties become eligible for a reimbursement of 50 percent of their paid election
expenses for general elections if they file the proper financial reports and receive at least
2 percent of the valid votes cast nationally or 5 percent of the valid votes cast in electoral
districts where they endorsed candidates.

Audit Subsidy for Registered Electoral District Associations

Registered electoral district associations that incur expenses or accept contributions of $5,000 or
more must submit a report prepared by an auditor. They are eligible to receive an audit subsidy
of up to $1,500 of the auditor’s invoiced amount.

Regulation of Third Parties

The Canada Elections Act regulates third parties that engage in election advertising. A third
party can be a person or a group, other than a candidate, registered political party or registered
electoral district associations of a registered party. A “group” is defined as an unincorporated
trade union, trade association or other group of persons acting together by mutual consent for a
common purpose.

Foreign third parties are not permitted to incur election advertising expenses totalling $500 or
more. A foreign third party is an individual who is not a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident,
or resident in Canada; a corporation that does not carry on business in Canada; or a group for
which the person responsible is not a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or resident in
Canada.

Political Financing 45
“Election advertising” means the transmission to the public by any means during an election
period of an advertising message that promotes or opposes a registered party or the election of a
candidate, including one that takes a position on an issue with which a registered party or
candidate is associated.

A third party must register with the Chief Electoral Officer as soon as it spends $500 or more on
election advertising. Even if it is not required to register, any election advertising transmitted by
a third party must identify the third party and state that it has authorized the advertisement.

A registered third party must report its election advertising expenses within four months of
election day. Third parties that incur $5,000 or more in election advertising expenses must
include an auditor’s report with their report. Among other information, the report must include
the name and address of any contributor who gave a total of more than $200 for election
advertising in the period starting six months before the issue of the writs and ending on election
day.

46 The Electoral System of Canada

How to Contact Us

Elections Canada publishes a broad range of information on the Canadian federal electoral
process, including educational and plain-text materials. Most of our publications are available
online in HTML, PDF or database format. Some are also available in print or CD-ROM format,
and some (mainly electoral maps and other election documents) are available for purchase.

For a complete list of publications available from Elections Canada, see the Resource Centre
section of our website or contact us by mail, telephone or fax.

Mail Elections Canada

30 Victoria Street
Gatineau, Quebec
K1A 0M6

Telephone 1-800-463-6868
toll-free in Canada and the United States
001-800-514-6868
toll-free in Mexico
613-993-2975
from anywhere in the world
For persons who are deaf or hard of hearing:
TTY 1-800-361-8935
toll-free in Canada and the United States

Fax 613-954-8584
1-888-524-1444
toll-free in Canada and the United States

Website www.elections.ca

How to Contact Us 47
Appendices

Appendix 1: Evolution of the Federal Electoral System

What are the milestones in the history of the Canadian electoral system?

The following is an overview of selected key dates and important milestones in the evolution of
the federal electoral system. Please consult A History of the Vote in Canada (second edition,
available at www.elections.ca) for a much more detailed analysis, including a timeline of
historical events starting in the early years of the colonial era.

1867 In the first general election after Confederation in 1867, only a small minority of the
population, composed largely of male British subjects with real property of a certain
value, can vote in a country that has just four provinces, represented by 181 members of
Parliament.

1874 The Dominion Elections Act brings in the use of the secret ballot and the practice of
holding a general election on the same day in all electoral districts. Candidates are
required to report their election expenses, but no enforcement mechanisms are provided.

1885 Parliament draws up a complicated federal franchise based on property ownership. The
rules differ from town to town and from province to province.

1898 The Government returns control of the right to vote in federal elections to the provinces.

1908 Direct contributions from corporations to candidates are prohibited, but since the law
does not recognize political parties, and without any requirements to disclose the source
of political contributions, this principle remains unenforceable.

1915 The right to vote is granted to military personnel on active service. The First World War
brings other important changes to the federal franchise.

1917 Parliament once more takes over responsibility for preparing the voters lists, through the
War-time Elections Act and the Military Voters Act. The right to vote is extended to all
British subjects, women and men, who are active or retired members of the armed forces,
including persons with Indian status and persons less than 21 years of age, independent of
any residency requirement.

1918 The franchise in federal elections is extended to women 21 years of age or over.

1919 Women become eligible for election to the House of Commons.

Appendices 49
1920 The Dominion Elections Act restores control of the right to vote in federal elections to the
federal government. The Act also creates the office of Chief Electoral Officer of Canada
and establishes advance voting for certain categories of voters.

Other legislative changes include a new requirement for candidates to disclose the names
of their contributors and the amount of the contributions they receive; candidates’
financial officers must submit a report on spending within two months following the day
of the vote, and there is a $500 fine for failing to submit it. Returning officers must
publish a summary of these reports in local newspapers.

The prohibition on corporations making contributions is extended to all companies and

associations, whether or not they are incorporated.

1929 A legislative amendment establishes Monday as federal election day.

1930 The Government of R.B. Bennett introduces a permanent list of electors in an effort to
replace enumeration, but abandons the approach after one election as impractical and
expensive. The restrictions on contributions from corporations are abandoned.

1948 The last of the property ownership requirements for voting are abolished, and the right to
vote is extended to all Canadians of Asian origin.

1950 Inuit people obtain the right to vote.

1955 The last vestiges of religious restrictions on the franchise are abolished.

1960 Status Indians are no longer required to give up their status to vote in federal elections.
The right to vote at advance polls is extended to all Canadians absent from their polling
divisions on election day.

1964 The Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act receives royal assent and entrusts the
redistribution of electoral districts to independent boundary commissions. Redistribution
remains a 10-year exercise, as set out in the Constitution Act, 1867.

1970 The voting age and the age of candidacy are lowered from 21 to 18 years. Public
servants – mainly diplomats – and their dependants posted outside Canada become
eligible to use the Special Voting Rules, previously available only to military personnel
and their dependants.

Political parties are required to register with the Chief Electoral Officer to obtain the right
to have their names printed on the ballot paper under the names of their candidates. To be
eligible for registration, political parties must endorse candidates in at least 50 ridings in
a general election and present at least 100 signatures of electors who are members of the
party.

1974 The Election Expenses Act introduces a comprehensive set of controls over election
expenses and financing. The legislation sets spending limits for candidates and requires
public disclosure of all contributions exceeding $100 to political parties and candidates.

50 The Electoral System of Canada

 Public funding measures are introduced through partial reimbursement of election
expenses, tax credits for political contributions and the allocation of free broadcasting
time among political parties. To enforce these provisions, the Act also creates the
position of Commissioner of Election Expenses. Third party election advertising is
prohibited.

1977 A legislative amendment broadens the mandate of the Commissioner of Election

Expenses, who becomes the Commissioner of Canada Elections, responsible for the
enforcement of all provisions of the Canada Elections Act.

1982 The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms defines constitutional rights and
freedoms, including the freedom of opinion and expression, the right of citizens to vote
and be a candidate in a legislative election, and the right to equal protection and equal
benefit of the law without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour,
religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability. These rights and freedoms are subject
only to reasonable limits, prescribed by law, that can be demonstrably justified in a free
and democratic society.

1983 The ban on third party advertising is lifted, but restrictions apply on allowable expenses.
With respect to candidate election expenses, every person, other than a candidate or an
official agent, who incurs election expenses becomes guilty of an offence under the
Canada Elections Act.

1992 The Referendum Act is passed to provide a legal and administrative framework for
conducting federal referendums on any question related to the Constitution of Canada.

Parliament passes amendments to the Canada Elections Act to improve access to the
electoral process for persons with disabilities. These include requirements for mobile
polls at facilities where seniors or persons with disabilities reside; level access at all
ordinary polling stations and, where this is not possible, the use of transfer certificates;
and a template for use by electors with a visual impairment.

1993 Parliament passes legislation to allow inmates serving sentences of less than two years to
vote. The right to vote is also extended to judges and persons with a mental disability.

The Canada Elections Act is also modified to allow Canadians to vote by special ballot if
they cannot go to their ordinary or advance polls. The ballot can be used by students
away from home, travelling vacationers and business people, as well as those temporarily
residing outside the country (for less than five years).

Other changes authorize registration at urban polls on election day (previously allowed
only for rural voters), shorten the minimum election period from 50 to 47 days and ban
the publication and broadcasting of opinion polls during the last three days of a
campaign. In addition, a cap of $1,000 is imposed on a third party’s election advertising.

1996 Amendments to the Canada Elections Act introduce a permanent register of electors and
eliminate door-to-door enumeration for federal general elections, by-elections and
referendums. The general election and by-election period is shortened from a minimum

Appendices 51
 of 47 days to 36. Voting hours on election day are staggered and extended so that most of
the results are available at approximately the same time across the country.

2000 A new Canada Elections Act modernizes the organization and terminology of electoral
legislation. It also introduces new controls on election advertising by third parties.

The new Act prohibits election advertising and the publication of new election opinion-
poll results on election day. It also authorizes the Commissioner of Canada Elections to
enter into compliance agreements and, where necessary, obtain court injunctions during
an election period. The Act also mandates the Chief Electoral Officer to develop and test
electronic voting procedures. Third parties are required to register with the Chief
Electoral Officer and disclose their election advertising expenses.

2001 Further to a court case, the number of confirmed candidates required for an unregistered
political party to be entitled to have its name on the ballot is reduced from 50 to 12.

2004 Legislative amendments bring significant and comprehensive changes to the rules
regulating political financing. They introduce limits on political contributions by
individuals and, henceforth, prohibit corporations and trade unions from contributing to
registered parties or leadership contestants. The expenses of nomination contestants are
capped. Registration requirements are extended to leadership contestants and electoral
district associations. Financial reporting rules are extended to apply to all electoral
district associations, leadership contestants and nomination contestants governed by the
Act. Registered political parties that obtain a certain number of valid votes, nationwide or
at the riding level, become eligible for quarterly public allowances. Tax credits for
political contributions are also augmented.

Subsequently, the law is amended to lower the minimum number of candidates required
for party registration from 50 to 1. The new legislation also introduces the first legal
definition of a political party, along with a series of new administrative requirements for
party registration.

2006 Legislative amendments introduced as part of the Federal Accountability Act further
restrict political contributions and make other changes to the Canada Elections Act
intended to increase the transparency of the electoral process and better control the
influence of money on elections. The Act amends the rules for political contributions,
gifts and the use of trust funds, and allows only individuals who are Canadian citizens or
permanent residents to make political contributions. It also transfers the process of
appointing returning officers from the Governor General, acting on advice of Cabinet, to
the Chief Electoral Officer. Returning officers are appointed, based on merit, for a
10-year term. However, if any boundaries of an electoral district change as a result of the
redistribution process each decade, a competition is held to appoint a returning officer for
the new district.

The Act also brings changes to the prosecution process. First, it changes the deadline
within which a prosecution can be initiated, making it no more than 5 years after the
Commissioner of Canada Elections became aware of the facts, but in any case no later

52 The Electoral System of Canada

 than 10 years after the day the offence was committed. Second, prosecutions become the
responsibility of the newly created Director of Public Prosecutions, while the
Commissioner remains the investigative body for alleged offences under the Canada
Elections Act.

2007 Legislative amendments introduce the requirement for voters to prove their identity and
address before being handed a ballot. Further amendments are also made with respect to
electors who have no residential or civic address or no way to prove such an address.
Three options are made available to electors, including showing one piece of
government-issued identification with a photo, name and address; showing two pieces of
authorized identification, both of which must bear the elector’s name and one of which
must also bear the elector’s address; or taking an oath and having another elector, whose
name appears on the list of electors in the same polling division and who produces
proper pieces of identification, vouch for them. An elector can vouch for only one other
elector.

Further legislative amendments also introduce a fixed election date for federal elections.
According to that legislation, if an election is not called under the constitutional
prerogative of the Governor General or as a result of a government losing the confidence
of the House of Commons, a general election must be held on the third Monday of
October in the fourth calendar year following polling day for the previous general
election. The 42nd general election, on Monday, October 19, 2015, is the first to be
scheduled in accordance with this provision.

2011 Legislative amendments are put in place to phase out the quarterly per-vote public
allowances paid by Elections Canada to registered political parties that attain a certain
number of votes, nationwide or at the riding level, in the previous general election. The
payments are reduced starting on April 1, 2012, and stop completely as of April 1, 2015.

The Fair Representation Act amends the rules in the Constitution Act, 1867 for
readjusting the number of members of the House of Commons and consequently changes
the representation of the provinces in that House. The application of the new formula
adds seats in the three provinces with the fastest-growing populations. It gives Ontario
15 more seats, while British Columbia and Alberta are each allotted an additional six.
The amendments also include a new “representation rule” that applies in cases where the
new calculation method would leave a province under-represented. Such a province’s
seat allocation is instead increased so that its share of representation will equal its share
of the population. As a result, Quebec receives three more seats. The new seat total for
all of Canada is 338.

The new Act also shortens the time allotted to conduct the process of readjusting the
electoral boundaries. As well, it allows the reappointment of returning officers for a new
term in cases where the position becomes vacant because electoral district boundaries are
revised.

Appendices 53
 2014 Significant legislative changes to almost every aspect of the electoral process took
effect in the summer and winter of 2014 under Bill C-23, the Fair Elections Act
(FEA).

The FEA adds an advance voting day on the second Sunday before election day,
resulting in four consecutive days of advance polls. New provisions set out
obligations for the Chief Electoral Officer to issue written opinions, guidelines
and interpretation notes on the application of the Canada Elections Act to political
entities in certain defined circumstances. The FEA also replaces vouching with an
attestation process. Electors without proof of address must show two pieces of
identification with their name and have an elector in their polling division attest to
their address. Legislative amendments specifically prohibit the use of the voter
information card as a piece of identification.

The Chief Electoral Officer’s mandate to implement public education and

information programs is revised to target primary and secondary students only. A
defined list of subjects the Chief Electoral Officer may address – namely how,
where and when to register and vote or become a candidate – applies when he or
she transmits advertising to electors about the exercise of their democratic rights.

For political financing, among other changes, the reforms result in a new regime
for reporting loans and unpaid claims, new loan restrictions in terms of source and
amount, a new regime for dealing with applications for extensions of time to file
or correct financial returns, reductions in reimbursement payments for
overspending, new spending limits for parties and candidates, new contribution
limits, greater contribution limits for candidates and leadership contestants to their
own campaigns, and restrictions on testamentary dispositions.

Another significant reform is the addition of a new Schedule 4 to the Canada

Elections Act contemplating standard rules for conducting recounts. The
amendments also make important changes to the enforcement regime by placing
the Commissioner of Canada Elections within the Office of the Director of Public
Prosecutions. The FEA creates a number of new offences, increases fines, and
introduces a registration and data retention regime for voter contact calling
services that is partly enforced by the Canadian Radio-television and
Telecommunications Commission.

54 The Electoral System of Canada

Appendix 2: Further Information on Canada’s Electoral System Since 1867

Representation in the House of Commons

Federal electoral boundaries are readjusted after each decennial (10-year) census to reflect
changes and movements in Canada’s population, in accordance with the Constitution and the
Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act. Readjustment usually results in an increase in the
number of electoral districts, each of which elects a representative to sit in the House of
Commons.

Year Can. N.B. N.S. Ont. Que.

1867 181 15 19 82 65 Man.
1871 185 15 19 82 65 4 B.C.
1872 200 16 21 88 65 4 6 P.E.I.
1873 206 16 21 88 65 4 6 6
1882 211 16 21 92 65 5 6 6 N.W.T.
1887 215 16 21 92 65 5 6 6 4
1892 213 14 20 92 65 7 6 5 4 Y.T.
1903 214 13 18 86 65 10 7 4 10 1
Alta. Sask. N.W.T. / Y.T.
1907 221 13 18 86 65 10 7 4 7 10 1
1914 234 11 16 82 65 15 13 3 12 16 1
1915 235 11 16 82 65 15 13 4 12 16 1
1924 245 11 14 82 65 17 14 4 16 21 1
1933 245 10 12 82 65 17 16 4 17 21 1
1947 255 10 13 83 73 16 18 4 17 20 1 N.L.
1949 262 10 13 83 73 16 18 4 17 20 1 7
N.W.T Y.T.
.
1952 265 10 12 85 75 14 22 4 17 17 1 1 7
1966 264 10 11 88 74 13 23 4 19 13 1 1 7
1976 282 10 11 95 75 14 28 4 21 14 2 1 7
1987 295 10 11 99 75 14 32 4 26 14 2 1 7
1996 301 10 11 103 75 14 34 4 26 14 2 1 7 Nun.
2003 308 10 11 106 75 14 36 4 28 14 1 1 7 1
2013* 338 10 11 121 78 14 42 4 34 14 1 1 7 1
*The 2013 Representation Order increased the number of seats in the House of Commons by 30, effective August 2015.

For a complete history of federal electoral districts since 1867, click here.

Appendices 55
 Parliaments
Since 1867, the number, names and boundaries of federal electoral districts have changed repeatedly. In successive elections, voters in
each electoral district have chosen a candidate to represent them in the House of Commons.

Parliament Date the writs Election date Dissolution date Duration Political party Seats
were issued (years, months) in power (won/total)
1st August 6, 1867 Aug. 7–Sept. 20, 1867 July 8, 1872 4 y, 9 m Liberal-Conservative 101/181
2nd July 15, 1872 Jul. 20–Oct. 12, 1872 January 2, 1874 1 y, 5 m Liberal-Conservative 103/200
3rd January 2, 1874 January 22, 1874 August 17, 1878 4 y, 6 m Liberal 133/206
4th August 17, 1878 September 17, 1878 May 18, 1882 3 y, 7 m Liberal-Conservative 137/206
5th May 18, 1882 June 20, 1882 January 15, 1887 4 y, 6 m Liberal-Conservative 139/210
6th January 17, 1887 February 22, 1887 February 3, 1891 4 y, 0 m Liberal-Conservative 123/215
7th February 4, 1891 March 5, 1891 April 24, 1896 5 y, 1 m Liberal-Conservative 123/215
8th April 24, 1896 June 23, 1896 October 9, 1900 4 y, 3 m Liberal 118/213
9th October 9, 1900 November 7, 1900 September 29, 1904 3 y, 9 m Liberal 132/213
10th September 29, 1904 November 3, 1904 September 17, 1908 3 y, 9 m Liberal 139/214
11th September 18, 1908 October 26, 1908 July 29, 1911 2 y, 8 m Liberal 133/221
12th August 3, 1911 September 21, 1911 October 6, 1917 6 y, 0 m Conservative 133/221
13th October 31, 1917 December 17, 1917 October 4, 1921 3 y, 8 m Unionist 153/235
14th October 8, 1921 December 6, 1921 September 5, 1925 3 y, 6 m Liberal 118/235*
15th September 5, 1925 October 29, 1925 July 2, 1926 0 y, 6 m Liberal 115/245*
16th July 20, 1926 September 14, 1926 May 30, 1930 3 y, 7 m Liberal 125/245
17th May 30, 1930 July 28, 1930 August 14, 1935 5 y, 1 m Conservative 137/245
18th August 15, 1935 October 14, 1935 January 25, 1940 4 y, 3 m Liberal 173/245
19th January 27, 1940 March 26, 1940 April 16, 1945 5 y, 1 m Liberal 181/245
20th April 16, 1945 June 11, 1945 April 30, 1949 3 y, 9 m Liberal 125/245
21st April 30, 1949 June 27, 1949 June 13, 1953 4 y, 0 m Liberal 190/262
22nd June 13, 1953 August 10, 1953 April 12, 1957 3 y, 7 m Liberal 171/265
23rd April 12, 1957 June 10, 1957 February 1, 1958 0 y, 5 m Progressive Conservative 111/265*

56 The Electoral System of Canada

Parliament Date the writs Election date Dissolution date Duration Political party Seats
were issued (years, months) in power (won/total)
24th February 1, 1958 March 31, 1958 April 19, 1962 4 y, 1 m Progressive Conservative 208/265
25th April 19, 1962 June 18, 1962 February 6, 1963 0 y, 6 m Progressive Conservative 116/265*
26th February 6, 1963 April 8, 1963 September 8, 1965 2 y, 3 m Liberal 128/265*
27th September 8, 1965 November 8, 1965 April 23, 1968 2 y, 4 m Liberal 131/265*
28th April 25, 1968 June 25, 1968 September 1, 1972 4 y, 2 m Liberal 155/264
29th September 1, 1972 October 30, 1972 May 9, 1974 1 y, 5 m Liberal 109/265*
30th May 9, 1974 July 8, 1974 March 26, 1979 4 y, 7 m Liberal 141/264
31st March 26, 1979 May 22, 1979 December 14, 1979 0 y, 5 m Progressive Conservative 136/282*
32nd December 14, 1979 February 18, 1980 July 9, 1984 4 y, 4 m Liberal 147/282
33rd July 9, 1984 September 4, 1984 October 1, 1988 4 y, 1 m Progressive Conservative 211/282
34th October 1, 1988 November 21, 1988 September 8, 1993 4 y, 8 m Progressive Conservative 169/295
35th September 8, 1993 October 25, 1993 April 27, 1997 3 y, 5 m Liberal 177/295
36th April 27, 1997 June 2, 1997 October 22, 2000 3 y, 4 m Liberal 155/301
37th October 22, 2000 November 27, 2000 May 23, 2004 3 y, 5 m Liberal 172/301
38th May 23, 2004 June 28, 2004 November 29, 2005 1 y, 4 m Liberal 135/308*
39th November 29, 2005 January 23, 2006 September 7, 2008 2 y, 6 m Conservative 124/308*
40th September 7, 2008 October 14, 2008 March 26, 2011 2 y, 4 m Conservative 143/308*
41st March 26, 2011 May 2, 2011 August 2, 2015 4 y, 3 m Conservative 166/308
Average 3 y, 4 m

For the current number of seats in the House, broken down by province and party, click here.

Appendices 57
 Prime Ministers
The Prime Minister of Canada is appointed by the Governor General to form a government
after a general election or whenever the position otherwise falls vacant. For a list of Canadian
prime ministers since 1867, click here.

Voter Turnout
Canada’s population has grown steadily since 1867, as has the number of Canadians entitled to
vote in a federal election. The turnout in an election is the percentage of electors who cast
ballots. For details from 1867 onward, click here.

58 The Electoral System of Canada