Elections

Elections Canada

Elections Canada is an independent, non-partisan agency that reports directly to Parliament. It must be prepared at all times to conduct a federal general election, by-election or referendum, administer the political financing provisions of the Canada Elections Act, monitor compliance and enforce electoral legislation. Elections Canada is also mandated to conduct voter education and information programs, and provide support to the independent boundaries commissions in charge of adjusting the boundaries of federal electoral districts following each decennial census. Finally, Elections Canada may carry out studies on alternative voting methods and, with the approval of Parliament, test electronic voting processes for future use during electoral events.

Mandate

Its responsibilities include:

• Making sure that all voters have access to the electoral system
• Informing citizens about the electoral system
• Maintaining the National Register of Electors
• Enforcing electoral legislation
• Training election officers
• Producing maps of electoral districts
• Registering political parties, electoral district associations, and third parties that engage in election advertising
• Administering the allowances paid to registered political parties
• Monitoring election spending by candidates, political parties and third parties
• Publishing financial information on political parties, electoral district associations, candidates, nomination contestants, leadership contestants and third parties
• Supporting the independent commissions responsible for adjusting the boundaries of federal electoral districts every ten years
• Reporting to Parliament on the administration of elections and referendums

The Canadian House of Commons appoints the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada to head the agency. The Chief Electoral Officer in turn appoints the Commissioner of Canada Elections, who ensures that the Canada Elections Act is enforced; and the Broadcasting Arbitrator, who allocates paid and free broadcasting time during electoral events. The Chief Electoral Officer is seconded by the Deputy Chief Electoral Officer and Chief Legal Counsel and a staff of some 330 representing five executive directorates. During an election, staff at Elections Canada headquarters increases to 600 and to approximately 190,000 across Canada.

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Related Links

• Elections Canada Official Website

Information on specific aspects of Electoral laws, rules and regulations can be found on the following pages:

• Electoral Law and Policy: Information on electoral legislation and other related matters can be found here, along with details of research undertaken on electoral administration issues.
• Candidates: Information for candidates, including rules on financing of candidates, can be found here.
• Political Parties: Information on registered political parties in Canada, party financing rules and more can be found here.
• Rules Governing Third Parties: The Canada Elections Act regulates third parties who engage in election advertising. A third party may be a person or a group. Information about the role of third parties in Canadian federal elections, and the rules governing them, can be found here.