Canadas Parliamentary and

Electoral Systems

In the Beginning
Aboriginal systems
of
government
The Six Nations
Confederacy
The Indian Act of
1876

- Six Nations Flag

Confederation
Prior to Confederation, two
major decision were made that
would shape Canadas
government:
1.Canada would be a federal union
with two levels of government:
i. Federal
ii. Provincial
2.Canada would have a central
Parliament with three parts:
i. Monarch
ii. Senate
iii. House of Commons
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Canadas Constitution
Written Elements of
the Constitution
A rule book for our
government
Not a single document
14 Acts of British
Parliament
4 British Orders-inCouncil
7 Canadian Acts
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Canadas Constitution
Unwritten Elements
of the Constitution
Prime Minister
Political Parties
Cabinet
Responsible government

Queen
Role of the Monarch
Head of State
Constitutional monarchy
Represented in Canada by
the Governor General

Parliament
Bicameral System
House of Commons
Senate

Evolving Parliament
1867
House of Commons: 181
Senate: 72

2013
House of Commons: 308
(soon to be 338)
Senate: 105

Elections in Canada
Right to vote: every Canadian citizen
who is at least 18 years old on election
day
First-past-the-post electoral system
308 electoral districts, soon to be 338
Next fixed election date: October 19,
2015
Election campaigns: minimum 36 days
Canada has had 41 general elections
since Confederation

First-Past-the-Post System
Also known as single member plurality
The candidate with the most votes is elected.
The winning party is the one that elects the
most candidates. Its leader becomes Prime
Minister.
The Prime Minister chooses the members of
the Cabinet.
The party with the second highest number of
candidates elected forms the official
opposition in Parliament.
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Voting in Canada: Three Easy

Steps
Step 1: Register
National Register of Electors: permanent
list
Updated continuously by Elections Canada
How do I get on the Register?
If we send you a form, fill it out and
return it for free, OR
Contact Elections Canada
Check your registration online at
elections.ca
TIP: Voting is easier if youre registered!

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Voting in Canada Three

Easy Steps
Step 2: Find out when and where to
vote
Voter information card: sent to every
registered elector
The VIC tells you where and when to
vote:
Addresses (polling station and the
local Elections Canada office)
Dates (election day, advance polls,
voting by mail
Phone numbers for more info
If you dont receive a VIC contact us
to register and find out where to vote
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Voting in Canada Three

Easy Steps
Step 3: Go and vote!
On election day:
At your assigned poll

OR
Before election day:
At your advance poll
At any local Elections
Canada office
By mail
REMEMBER: Bring proof of
identity and address!
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Voter Turnout in Canada

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Who is Voting and Who is

Not?
Turnout by Age in the May 2011 Election

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Who is Voting and Who is

Not?

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Why Does Voting Matter?

1. Voting is fundamental to democracy: its how citizens
choose who governs them.
2. Voting is the only form of participation in which every
citizen is equal.
3. It doesnt take very many votes to make a big difference.
4. Parties pay attention to those who vote.
5. Low/declining turnout is not distributed equally across
the population.

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Other Than Voting What Can

You Do?
1.

Get informed

6.

Join a political party

2.

Read the news regularly

7.

Write a letter to your MP

3.

Talk to your family or

friends about politics

8.

Start a petition

9.

Help out in an election

campaign

4.

5.

Volunteer for a cause or

organization you care
about

10. Work for Elections Canada

during an election

Become active in your

community

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