How Federal Elections Work in Canada
How federal elections work in Canada: voting by secret ballot, electing MPs, and majority vs minority governments. A clear guide for the citizenship test.
In a federal election, Canadian citizens vote to elect Members of Parliament to the House of Commons. Each person votes by secret ballot in their riding. The party with the most seats usually forms the government. To vote, you must be a Canadian citizen and at least 18 years old.
Who do you vote for?
You vote for a Member of Parliament (MP) to represent your riding in the House of Commons, not directly for a Prime Minister. The country is divided into ridings, and each one elects a single MP. This is the mechanism that then decides who leads the government, as explained in our guide on how the Prime Minister is chosen.
How does voting work?
Voting is done by secret ballot: no one is allowed to know who you voted for. You mark the name of the candidate you choose on a ballot and place it in the ballot box. This principle protects the freedom of every voter. These ideas appear in our overview of how Canada is governed.
Who can vote?
The requirements to vote in a federal election are simple. Here is what to remember:
- Be a Canadian citizen.
- Be at least 18 years old on election day.
- Vote by secret ballot in your riding.
- Voting is both a right and a responsibility of citizenship.
Majority or minority government?
The party with the most seats usually forms the government. If it holds more than half the seats, it is a majority government; otherwise, it is a minority government. These differences come up often on the test, so practise with our chapter quizzes to master them.
Frequently asked questions
Who can vote in a Canadian federal election? Any Canadian citizen who is at least 18 years old on election day can vote in a federal election.
What is the difference between a majority and a minority government? A majority government holds more than half the seats. A minority government holds the most seats but fewer than half.
Who do you vote for in a federal election? You vote for a Member of Parliament to represent your riding in the House of Commons, not directly for a Prime Minister.