Canadian electoral system
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The Canadian electoral system is based on a parliamentary system of government, modelled on that of the United Kingdom.
The Canadian federal Parliament consists of:
- The sovereign (represented by the Governor General)
- An upper house (the Senate), the members of which are appointed by the Governor General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister
- A lower house (the House of Commons), the members of which are chosen by the citizens of Canada through federal general elections.
Elections Canada is the non-partisan agency responsible for the conduct of elections in Canada, including federal elections, by-elections and referenda. It is headed by the Chief Electoral Officer.
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[edit] Representation in the House of Commons
Representation in the House of Commons is based on geographical divisions known as electoral districts, constituencies or ridings. Each riding elects one member to the House of Commons, and the number of ridings is established through a formula set out in the Constitution.
Riding boundaries are established by independent commissions, and take into account:
- population
- social links
- economic links.
New commissions are set up following each decennial census to make any necessary revisions to existing boundaries, following criteria defined in the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act. The process of redefining electoral boundaries is called redistribution, and the results are recorded in a representation order. The Representation Order of 2003 set the number of ridings at 308.
[edit] First past the post
Canada’s electoral system is referred to as a first past the post system. The candidate with the most votes wins; an absolute majority is not needed. They receive a seat in the House of Commons and represent their riding as its Member of Parliament.
Any number of candidates may run for election in an electoral district, but each candidate may only run in one district, either independently or under the banner of a political party. Each party may endorse only one candidate per riding. Candidates who run for election without party affiliation may be designated as independent or as having no affiliation.
A political party is a group of people who together:
- Establish a constitution and by-laws
- Elect a leader and other officers
- Endorse candidates for election to the House of Commons.
To obtain the right to put the party name on the ballot, under the names of the candidates it endorses, a political party must register with the Chief Electoral Officer. At the 2000 election, there were 11 registered political parties operating at the federal level in Canada. See List of political parties in Canada.
After an election, the party with the most elected representatives usually becomes the governing party. The leader of this party becomes the Prime Minister of Canada and chooses people (usually MPs of his or her party) to head the various government departments. The party with the second largest number of MPs is called the Official Opposition. All the elected candidates have a seat in the House of Commons, where they vote on draft legislation (called Bills) and thus have an influence on government policy.
[edit] Non-partisan election officers
Election officers must be politically neutral: they may not favour one political party or candidate over any other. Special precautions ensure that no political leanings can affect the administration of electoral events. All election workers must take an oath to uphold voters’ rights and the secrecy of the vote, and to perform their duties without favouritism. Regardless, all election officers are allowed to vote except for the Chief Electoral Officer and the Assistant Chief Electoral Officer.
Each candidate can have representatives present on election day during both the voting and the counting of the votes to verify that everything is carried out fairly and properly.
[edit] Everyone must have access
All citizens have the right to a voice in choosing their parliamentary representatives. Canada’s electoral law requires the Chief Electoral Officer to inform the public about the system and about individual rights under that system, and to remove obstacles that may make voting difficult for some.
During an election, Elections Canada informs Canadians about their right to vote, how to get on the National Register of Electors and the voters list, and where and how they can vote. Its public information activities include
- News releases
- Advertisements in newspapers and on television and radio, brochures, posters, videos,
- A toll-free telephone enquiries centre
- A website
- Meetings with community and ethnocultural groups.
Between elections, the agency publishes additional background information for the public, keeps its telephone enquiries centre and Website open to answer questions, and works with educators to encourage young people to vote when they become eligible.
Helping to remove obstacles to voting is an important part of Elections Canada’s work. Voters who are not able to vote on polling day can vote at the advance polls. A mail-in special ballot is available for Canadians who are away from their ridings, traveling or temporarily resident overseas. Even Canadians in their own ridings during the election period may use the special ballot if they do not wish to go to a Polling Station. In special cases, electors with a disability may vote at home, in the presence of an election officer. Mobile polls serve voters living in certain institutions, such as nursing homes for people who are elderly or who have a disability.
Wherever possible, election officers at polling stations speak both official languages (English and French). In addition, a deputy returning officer can appoint and swear in an interpreter to help communicate with a voter.
For voters with special needs, most polling stations provide level access, or voters can get a transfer certificate to vote at a station with level access. Templates are available for voters with a visual disability. On request, a deputy returning officer can help a voter with a disability or a voter who cannot read in any way that will enable the person to vote. A friend or relative can also assist the voter. Elections Canada maintains a toll-free TTY telephone enquiries line for voters who are deaf or hard of hearing.
All votes are made on the same standard heavy paper ballot which is inserted in a standard cardboard box, furnished by Elections Canada. The ballot and the box are devised to ensure that no one except the elector knows the individual choice that was made. Counting the ballots is done by hand in full view of the representatives of each candidate. There are no mechanical, electrical or electronic systems involved in this process.
