Federal Elections

What are Cabinet ministers responsible for?

running the federal government departments

What are municipalities responsible for?

urban or regional planning, streets and roads, sanitation (such as garbage removal), snow removal, firefighting, ambulance and other emergency services, recreation facilities, public transit and some local health and social services. Most major urban centres have municipal police forces.

Voting Procedures

1. Get voter information card 2. Advance poll and special ballot 3. on election day, go to polling station (bring voter information card) 4. Mark an "X" in the circle next to the name of the candidate of your choice 5. voting is secret 6. the poll official will tear off the ballot number and giver your ballot back to you to deposit in the ballot box 7. election results are counted and results are made public.

you're eligible to vote in a federal election or cast a ballot n a federal referendum if

- a Canadian citizen; and - at least 18 years old on voting day - on the voters' list.

How many electoral districts is Canada divided into?

Canada is divided into 308 electoral districts, also known as ridings or constituencies. An electoral district is a geographical area represented by a member of Parliament (MP).

Who may run in a federal election?

Canadian citizens who are 18 years old or older may run in a federal election. The people who run for office are called candidates. There can be many candidates in an electoral district.

Voter's card

A voter information card mailed to each elector whose name is in the National Register of Electors. The card lists when & where you vote and the number to call if you need special assistance

Secret Ballot

Canadian law secures the right to a secret ballot.

What do Canadian's vote for?

Canadians vote in elections for the people they want to represent them in the House of Commons. In each election, voters may re-elect the same members of the House of Commons or choose new ones. Members of the House of Commons are also known as members of Parliament or MPs.

What are "by-laws"

Municipal governments usually have a council that passes laws called "by-laws" that affect only the local community. The council usually includes a mayor (or a reeve) and councillors or aldermen.

First Nations

The First Nations have band chiefs and councillors who have major responsibilities on First Nations reserves, including housing, schools and other services. There are a number of provincial, regional and national Aboriginal organizations that are a voice for First Nations, Métis and Inuit people in their relationships with the federal, provincial and territorial governments.

What's the Cabinet?

The Prime Minister and the Cabinet ministers They make important decisions about how the country is governed. They prepare the budget and propose most new laws. Their decisions can be questioned by all members of the House of Commons.

How long can the Prime Minister and the party in power run the government?

The Prime Minister and the party in power run the government as long as they have the support or confidence of the majority of the MPs. When the House of Commons votes on a major issue such as the budget, this is considered a matter of confidence. If a majority of the members of the House of Commons vote against a major government decision, the party in power is defeated, which usually results in the Prime Minister asking the Governor General, on behalf of the Sovereign, to call an election.

What does the Prime Minister choose?

The ministers of the Crown (most of them from among members of the House of Commons)

What's the opposition party?

The other parties that are not in power. The opposition party with the most members of the House of Commons is the Official Opposition or Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition. The role of opposition parties is to peacefully oppose or try to improve government proposals

What do people in each electoral district vote for?

The people in each electoral district vote for the candidate and political party of their choice. The candidate who receives the most votes becomes the MP for that electoral district.

When are federal elections held?

Under legislation passed by Parliament, federal elections must be held on the third Monday in October every four years following the most recent general election. The Prime Minister may ask the Governor General to call an earlier election.

Can you be added to the voters' list at any time?

Yup. Including on election day

what's the voter's list?

it's produced from the National Register of Electors by a neutral agency of Parliament called Elections Canada. It's used during federal elections and referendums.

What majority parties are currently represented in the House of Commons?

the Conservative Party, the New Democratic Party, and the Liberal Party.

What happens after an election?

the leader of the political party with the most seats in the House of Commons is invited by the Governor General to form the government. After being appointed by the Governor General, the leader of this party becomes the Prime Minister. If the party in power holds at least half of the seats in the House of Commons, this is called a majority government. If the party in power holds less than half of the seats in the House of Commons, this is called a minority government