This guide will give you all the information you need to register and vote in a federal election.
Voting is one way that you can be part of the democratic process. Before you can vote in a federal election in Canada, you must be registered.
The right of every Canadian citizen to play a meaningful role in the electoral process is protected by law under section 3 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
In Canada, citizens elect representatives, or members of Parliament, to the House of Commons. These representatives, along with senators, make laws and decisions for the country and its people.
In federal elections, citizens who are at least 18 years old can vote once for a candidate in their riding (also called an electoral district). The candidate who receives the most votes wins the seat to represent their riding in the House of Commons. The representative for your riding is your member of Parliament.
The political party with the most candidates elected to the House of Commons forms the government, and the party's leader becomes the prime minister.
The prime minister and members of Parliament decide on Canada's national policies and priorities. They make sure those policies are put into action, and they guide the government's legislation through the House of Commons and the Senate.
Canada recognizes that Indigenous peoples have an inherent right of self-government guaranteed in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. Negotiated agreements put decision-making power into the hands of Indigenous governments who make their own choices about how to deliver programs and services to their communities. This can include making decisions about how to better protect their culture and language, educate their students, manage their own lands and develop new business partnerships that create jobs and other benefits for their citizens. Self-government is part of the foundation for a renewed relationship and is a pathway to development and economic growth that generates benefits for Indigenous peoples.
The following resources will give you a better understanding of how the federal government works and how elections work at different levels of government.
There are three levels of government in Canada:
Each level is responsible for different areas that may impact your life. Check out these resources to learn more: