Info

Canada

`

Boundary Delimitation

BD001

Delimitation of constituencies

Question:	Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:
Source:	Elections Canada
Verified:	2009/08/31

BD003

Criteria for drawing boundaries

Question:	On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
Answer(s):	a. "Equality" of population b. Respecting natural barriers e. Geographic size of district f. Communities of interest/cultural concerns
Comments:	The division of the province into electoral districts shall proceed on the basis that the population of each electoral district in the province as a result thereof shall, as close as reasonably possible, correspond to the electoral quota for the province. In determining reasonable electoral boundaries the Commissions shall consider the size of the population (plus or minus 25%) along with the community of interest, the community of identity and historical patterns of an electoral district. Districts in sparsely populated, rural or northern regions of the province must remain of a manageable geographic size. Equality of population is a primary criterion, but there is no clear-cut prioritization of the other criteria. Court decisions have ensured that community of interest must be taken into account.
Source:	Elections Canada
Verified:	2009/08/31

BD005

Body responsible for drawing boundaries

Question:	The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
Answer(s):	c. Executive
Comments:
Source:	Elections Canada
Verified:	2009/08/31

`

Electoral Systems

ES001

Head of State

Question:	How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s):	f. A Governor General appointed by the Monarch g. Inherited monarchy
Comments:	Canada’s head of state is the person of the British monarch, known as “the Crown in right of Canada” to distinguish the monarch’s Canadian status from its British one. The Governor General is appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister.
Source:	Constitutional Acts, Section 9,10
Verified:	2009/10/21

ES002

Head of Government

Question:	How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:	d. Leader of the party which forms the government becomes Head of Government
Comments:	The head of government is the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is by custom the leader of the party that commands the majority of seats (in the case of a majority government), or commands a a larger number of seats than any other party in the House of Commons (in the case of a minority government). The Prime Minister is not a constitutional title or position; the authority of the Prime Minister comes from assuming the formal role of Governor in Council, the leader of the monarch’s Privy Council.
Source:	Elections Canada
Verified:	2009/08/31

ES003

President

Question:	Does the country have a president?
Answer:	b. No
Comments:
Source:	Ron Gould, Former Assistant Chief Electoral Officer,Elections Canada, gouchiholdings(a)hotmail.com
Verified:	2009/08/31

ES004

Number of Chambers

Question:	The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:	b. Two chambers
Comments:
Source:	Ron Gould, Former Assistant Chief Electoral Officer,Elections Canada, gouchiholdings(a)hotmail.com
Verified:	2009/08/31

ES005

Electoral System (Chamber 1)

Question:	What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):	a. Plurality (FPTP)
Comments:
Source:	Constitutional Acts, Section 37.
Verified:	2009/08/31

`

Legislative Framework

LF001

Status of Electoral Law

Question:	What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
Answer(s):	b. Separate legislation
Comments:	b.) All rules and regulations for election administration are contained within the Canada Elections Act. Section 3 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms enshrines the right to vote and the right to be a candidate in an election to the House of Commons while section 2 enshrines a series of constitutional freedoms: of conscience and religion; of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication; of peaceful assembly; and of association.
Source:	Elections Canada
Verified:	2009/08/31

LF003

Electoral Law covers

Question:	The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):	a. National elections
Comments:	The Canada Elections Act covers federal elections. Canada is a confederation made of a federal jurisdiction, 10 provinces and three territories, each of which has its own separate legislative framework for administering its own elections and referenda. Source: Elections Canada
Source:	Elections Canada
Verified:	2009/08/31

LF004

Compulsory/voluntary voting

Question:	Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s):	a. Voting is voluntary
Comments:	Every person who is qualified as an elector is entitled to vote and may freely choose whether or not to use that right.
Source:	Canada Elections Act: Clause 3.
Verified:	2009/08/31

LF007

Electoral Disputes Agency(ies)

Question:	What are the agency(ies) responsible for the first level of formal electoral disputes?
Answer(s):	a. Judiciary b. EMB
Comments:	The Commissioner of Canada Elections, who is selected and appointed by the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, ensures that the Canada Elections Act (and the Referendum Act) is enforced and complied with. The Commissioner has the necessary judiciary powers to decide whether to investigate and prosecute an offence under the Act.
Source:	Elections Canada
Verified:	2009/08/31

`

Electoral Management

EM001

Please provide the following contact information for the national electoral management body:

Name of Institution: Chief Electoral Officer 
Website Address: www.elections.ca

Source

Elections Canada

Verified

2009/11/02

(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)

EM002

Responsibility of national EMB

Question:	Does the national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
Answer(s):	a. National level
Comments:	Elections Canada is an independent body set up by Parliament that is responsible for the conduct of federal elections and referendums.
Source:	Elections Canada
Verified:	2009/08/31

EM004

EMB budget determined by

Question:	The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
Answer(s):	g. Other
Comments:	The Chief Electoral Officer of Canada determines the budget of Elections Canada. As an independent agency of Parliament, Elections Canada is funded by two budget authorities: an annual appropriation that essentially provides for the salaries of permanent full-time staff, and a statutory authority, which provides for all other expenditures, including the salary of the Chief Electoral Officer, all expenses related to the conduct of electoral events, and continuing public education programs.
Source:	Elections Canada
Verified:	2009/08/31

EM005

EMB expenditures controlled by

Question:	The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
Answer(s):	g. Other
Comments:	The Chief Electoral Officer of Canada is accountable to Parliament for all of Elections Canada’s expenditures. Expenses related to the conduct of electoral events and certain basic functions related to the mandate of the Chief Electoral Officer are paid for with the Consolidated Revenue Fund. All other expenses, including those for the permanent staff, follow an approval process: the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, which is responsible for electoral matters, recommends spending approval, and the House of Commons appropriates the funds through a motion adopting the committee recommendations.
Source:	Elections Canada
Verified:	2009/08/31

EM006

Term of EMB members

Question:	The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
Answer:	d. Other
Comments:	The Chief Electoral Officer of Canada is an Officer of Parliament appointed by a resolution of the House of Commons. He or she reports directly to Parliament and is independent of the government and all political parties. The Chief Electoral Officer serves until retirement at age 65 or resignation. He or she can only be removed from office for cause by the Governor General on a joint address of the House of Commons and the Senate.
Source:	Elections Canada
Verified:	2009/08/31

`

Voter Education

VE001

Information campaigns performed by

Question:	Who conducts information campaigns for national elections (informing where, when and how to register and/or vote)?
Answer(s):	a. National Electoral Management Body g. NGOs/ Civic Organizations h. Political parties/ candidates i. Media
Comments:	According to the Canada Elections Act, the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada has the mandate to implement public education and information programs. The media, political parties, non-governmental organizations and missions abroad also contribute to the voter information campaigns during federal elections, however, this is not regulated by the Act.
Source:	Elections Canada
Verified:	2009/08/31

VE002

Frequency of voter education programs

Question:	At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
Answer:	a. Continuously
Comments:	Even though voter information outreach and programs peek during electoral events, outreach, information and education drives, particularly among groups of electors that are more likely to encounter obstacles in using their right to vote, are carried out by Elections Canada on a continuous basis.
Source:	Elections Canada
Verified:	2009/08/31

VE003

National civic education

Question:	Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
Answer(s):	a. No
Comments:
Source:	Elections Canada
Verified:	2009/08/31

`

Voter Registration

VR001

Voting age

Question:	What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
Answer:	c. 18
Comments:
Source:	Elections Act: Clause 3.
Verified:	2009/08/31

VR002

Other voting requirements

Question:	Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
Answer(s):	a. Citizenship e. Other
Comments:	In order to be entitled to vote, a Canadian citizen must not have been living outside Canada for a period exceeding five years.
Source:	Elections Canada
Verified:	2009/08/31

VR004

Body responsible for voter registration

Question:	Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
Answer:	d. Election Management Body (specify)
Comments:	The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada (Elections Canada)
Source:	Elections Canada
Verified:	2009/08/31

VR008

Compulsory voter registration

Question:	Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Answer:	b. No
Comments:
Source:	Elections Canada
Verified:	2009/08/31

`

Voting Operations

VO003

Electors vote at

Question:	Where can electors vote?
Answer(s):	a. At a specified polling station in the locality where they are registered at national elections d. At specially designated polling stations e. At mobile polling stations f. By mail
Comments:	Currently, electors can vote at the advance polls (3 days) and at a polling station on election day. In addition, the Special Voting Rules provisions of the Canada Elections Act provide specific provisions for voting by using a special mail-in ballot. Any elector can request to vote by mail, a system that is systematically used for electors voting from abroad. Electors can also vote using the Special Voting Rules provisions by visiting the office of the returning officer in their electoral district, at any time during a campaign up to the end of the sixth day preceding the election.
Source:	Elections Canada "Voting from Abroad: The International IDEA Handbook", (2007) (http://www.idea.int/publications/voting_from_abroad/index.cfm)
Verified:	2009/08/31

VO004

Voting outside the country is permitted for

Question:	Who can vote from outside the country?
Answer(s):	b. Citizens residing outside the country c. Citizens outside the country (including those on vacation) d. Members of the armed forces e. Students f. Diplomatic staff
Comments:	Any eligible voter who is travelling or residing outside the country during an election may vote by special mail-in ballot under the Special Voting Rules, as long as his or her absence from the country does not exceed five consecutive years. The ballots may be delivered to a Canadian mission in time for delivery to Elections Canada by 6:00 p.m. polling day, or sent directly to Elections Canada in Ottawa for 6:00 p.m. polling day.
Source:	Elections Canada "Voting from Abroad: The International IDEA Handbook", (2007) (http://www.idea.int/publications/voting_from_abroad/index.cfm)
Verified:	2009/08/31

VO005

Locations for voting outside of the country

Question:	If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
Answer(s):	a. Embassies b. Consulates e. By mail f. Other
Comments:	Voting kits may be ordered from, and delivered to embassies, consulates and high missions or to any other address provided, and returned from any location around the world, as long as they reach Elections Canada’s headquarters in Ottawa by 6:00 p.m. on election day.
Source:	Elections Canada "Voting from Abroad: The International IDEA Handbook", (2007) (http://www.idea.int/publications/voting_from_abroad/index.cfm)
Verified:	2009/08/31

VO011

Voting method

Question:	How do electors cast their votes?
Answer(s):	a. Manually marking of ballots
Comments:	Two types of paper ballots are used: the regular one used on polling day lists the candidates and their affiliation) and the Special ballot (on which electors need to write the name of the candidate they vote for) used for the purpose of the Special Voting Rules.
Source:	Elections Canada
Verified:	2009/08/31

`

Parties and Candidates

PC001

Registration requirements for parties (Chamber 1)

Question:	What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):	a. Signature requirement (specify requirement) e. Minimum number of candidates f. Other
Comments:	The Canada Elections Act requires a statement that the party has appointed a leader and three other officials, along with their names, addresses; the names, addresses and at least 250 signed supportive declarations of members of the party; 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 information in the application is accurate and that the organization is a political party, and may ask for additional documents (including the party's constitution, by-laws and program) if he or she deems it necessary. A party that meets these administrative requirements becomes eligible for registration and its registered status is granted when it nominates at least one candidate in an election.
Source:	Elections Canada
Verified:	2009/08/31

PC003

Registration requirements for candidates (Chamber 1)

Question:	What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):	a. Age b. Citizenship
Comments:	Any person qualified as an elector may run for an election in the House of Commons. More precisely, any candidate must be a Canadian citizen and be at least 18 years old on election day.
Source:	Elections Canada
Verified:	2009/08/31

PC008

Independent candidates

Question:	Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s):	c. In legislative elections (Chamber 1)
Comments:	Only the legislative chamber (Chamber 1) has elected seats. Non-affiliated candidates may chose to have a designation as “independent” (or no designation) under their name on the ballot, where affiliated candidates would have the name of their affiliated political party.
Source:	Elections Canada
Verified:	2009/08/31

PC012

Public funding of parties

Question:	Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):	b. Direct c. Indirect
Comments:	Political parties that become registered under the Canada Elections Act become entitled to various sources of direct and indirect public funding. Registered political parties that receive at least 2% of the valid votes cast nationally in a general election, or 5% in the ridings where they endorsed a candidate, become entitled to a reimbursement of 50% of their allowable election expenses, and to an annual allowance of $1,75 CANper valid vote obtained in that general election. Candidates that receive at least 10% of the valid votes cast in their riding become entitled to a reimbursement of 60% of their allowable election expenses. In terms of indirect public funding, registered political parties can give receipts for tax credits on political contributions. All political parties receive a certain amount of broadcasting time at no cost (television and radio broadcast) for conveying their message to the electorate.
Source:	Elections Canada
Verified:	2009/08/31

PC015

Basis of public funding

Question:	What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):	b. Based on result of previous election c. Based on current legislative representation d. Based on number of candidates put forward in present election
Comments:	Annual allowances for registered political parties are based on the number of valid votes obtained nationally in the previous general election. The apportionment of broadcasting time among political parties is based on a formula that gives equal weight to the percentage of seats in the House of Commons and the share of the popular vote in the previous general election, and half weight to the number of candidates endorsed by each of the registered parties at the previous general election, expressed as a percentage of all candidates endorsed by all registered parties at that election.
Source:	Elections Canada
Verified:	2009/08/31

PC017

Private funding of parties

Question:	Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:	Individuals who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, corporations that carry on business in Canada, trade unions that hold bargaining rights for employees in Canada and unincorporated associations may contribute up to a certain annual ceiling.
Source:	Elections Canada
Verified:	2009/08/31

`

Vote Counting

VC004

Voters are sorted/counted at

Question:	Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
Answer:	d. Other
Comments:	All regular votes cast on polling day are counted at the polling stations. Special mail-in ballots cast from within electors’ districts are returned to the office of the returning officer for each district, and counted there. Special mail-in ballots cast from outside electors’ assigned districts are returned to Elections Canada and counted there.
Source:	Elections Canada
Verified:	2009/08/31

VC011

Conditions for recount

Question:	Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
Answer(s):	c. Automatically (triggered) recounted under certain conditions d. By request e. Court order
Comments:	Any elector may apply to a judge for a recount within 4 days of the returning officer issuing a certificate of votes cast. The judge shall fix the date for a recount within 4 days of receiving the request.A judicial recount must take place if the difference between the number of votes cast for the candidate with the most votes and the number of votes cast for any other candidate is less than one one-thousandth of the votes cast. Upon application by an elector, a judge may conduct a judicial recount if there is credible affidavit evidence that the deputy returning officer incorrectly counted or rejected ballots; the deputy returning officer made an incorrect statement of the vote; or the returning officer incorrectly added up the votes.
Source:	Elections Canada
Verified:	2009/08/31

`

Media and Elections

ME037

Parties receive free broadcast time based on

Question:	What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
Answer(s):	d. Based on mixture of principles (specify)
Comments:	The allocation of free broadcasting time depends on two criteria, the percentage of seats in the House of Commons held by each of the registered parties at the previous general election and the percentage of the popular vote at the previous general election of each registered party. The Broadcast Arbitrator shall in addition give half the weight given to each of the factors above to the number of candidates endorsed by each of the registered parties at the previous general election, expressed as a percentage of all candidates endorsed by all registered parties at that election. See Canada Elections Act ss. 338, 339.
Source:	Elections Canada
Verified:	2009/08/31

ME059

Existence of televised debates

Question:	Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s):	b. Yes, in legislative elections
Comments:
Source:	Elections Canada
Verified:	2009/08/31

ME062

Blackout period for opinion polls

Question:	What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
Answer:	a. 1 day
Comments:	No person shall transmit to the public, in an electoral district on polling day before the close of all of the polling stations in that electoral district, the results of an election survey that have not previously been transmitted to the public. See Canada Elections Act s. 328.
Source:	Elections Canada
Verified:	2009/08/31

ME080

Maximum amount for paid advertising

Question:	Is there a maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Answer:	c. No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified:	2009/08/31

`

Direct Democracy

DD002

Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:
Source:	"Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook", (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm).
Verified:	2009/08/31

DD003

Mandatory referendums (national level)

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer:	b. No
Comments:
Source:	"Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook", (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm).
Verified:	2009/08/31

DD004

Optional referendums (national level)

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:	b) Referendum Act; Canada Elections Act as Adapted for the purposes of a Referendum.
Source:	"Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook", (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm).
Verified:	2009/08/31

DD005

Citizens' Initiatives (national level)

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer:	b. No
Comments:
Source:	"Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook", (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm).
Verified:	2009/08/31

DD006

Agenda Initiatives (national level)

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer:	b. No
Comments:
Source:	"Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook", (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm).
Verified:	2009/08/31

DD007

Recalls (national level)

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer:	b. No
Comments:
Source:	"Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook", (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm).
Verified:	2009/08/31

DD129

Binding referenda

Question:	Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer:	c. Never binding
Comments:
Source:	"Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook", (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm).
Verified:	2009/08/31

DD130

National referenda deal with

Question:	Are the types of issues to vote upon in a referendum constitutional changes only, other issues only or both constitutional and other issues?
Answer:	c. Both constitutional and other issues
Comments:
Source:	"Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook", (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm).
Verified:	2009/08/31

DD131

Direct Democracy at sub-national level

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:
Source:	"Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook", (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm).
Verified:	2009/08/31