Federal Elections

Learn how federal elections work, from ridings and parties to casting your ballot.

⏱ 7 min read

Canada holds federal elections to elect Members of Parliament (MPs) to the House of Commons. These elections determine which party or parties will form the government.

How Voting Works

Canada uses a first-past-the-post electoral system. Each voter marks an X beside one candidate. The candidate with the most votes in the riding wins the seat — even without a majority.

338 Ridings

Canada is divided into 338 federal electoral districts (ridings or constituencies), each electing one MP.

Who Can Vote

To vote in a federal election you must be:

•A Canadian citizen
•At least 18 years of age on election day
•On the National Register of Electors

⚠️

Voting is a Right AND a Responsibility

As a Canadian citizen you have the right to vote. But it is also a civic responsibility. Many countries fought hard for the right to free elections — take it seriously.

Elections Canada

Elections Canada is an independent, non-partisan agency of Parliament that administers federal elections. It reports to Parliament, not to the government of the day, ensuring elections are fair and impartial.

Federal Political Parties

Several major political parties compete in federal elections:

•Liberal Party of Canada — centre to centre-left
•Conservative Party of Canada — centre-right
•New Democratic Party (NDP) — left / social democratic
•Bloc Québécois — centre-left, Quebec sovereignty interests
•Green Party of Canada — environmentalist, centre-left

Forming a Government

After an election, the party that wins the most seats is usually asked by the Governor General to form the government. If one party wins more than half the seats (170+), it forms a majority government. If no party has a majority, a minority government is formed.

A step-by-step guide to Canadian federal elections

Provincial and Territorial Elections

Each province and territory also holds its own elections with its own party system. Provincial elections are separate from federal elections.

🍁 Key Points to Remember

•Canada uses a first-past-the-post electoral system.
•Canada is divided into 338 electoral districts called ridings or constituencies.
•To vote, you must be a Canadian citizen aged 18 or older on election day.
•Elections Canada is the independent body that administers federal elections.
•The party that wins the most seats in the House of Commons forms the government.

Take Section Quiz →Practice Flashcards (7 cards)← Back to Sections