Elections in Canada

Elections in Canada provides information on election and election results in Canada. See also Canadian electoral system.

Related Topics:
Election - Canada - Canadian electoral system

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The Parliament of Canada or Parlement du Canada has two chambers. The House of Commons or Chambre des Communes has 308 members, elected for a maximum five-year term in single-seat constituencies. The Senate (Sénat) has 105 appointed members.

Related Topics:
Parliament of Canada - Chambers - House of Commons - Constituencies - Senate

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Canada has two dominant political parties that have governed the country since its formation in 1867.

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The Prime Minister may ask the Governor General to call an election at virtually any time, although one must be called within five years of the last election. Traditionally, governments have waited four years between elections, but under Jean Chrétien's Liberal government in the 1990s, elections were held every three and half years. Parties generally only wait the maximum of five years between elections if they expect to lose, and hope a postponement will allow more time for things to change in their favour.

Related Topics:
Prime Minister - Governor General - Jean Chrétien

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Elections are generally held in either the fall or spring. This avoids the problems of a winter campaign, where outdoor events are harder to hold. It also avoids the problems of the summer, when many Canadians are on holiday.

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Using the so-called first past the post system, Canadians vote for a Member of Parliament, who sits in the House of Commons. Canadians do not vote directly for the Prime Minister, nor do they vote for senators.

Related Topics:
First past the post - Member of Parliament

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By-elections can be held between general elections when seats become vacant. It is at the discretion of the Prime Minister to call by-elections. The federal government can also hold nation-wide referendums on major issues. The last referendum was held in 1992 on proposed constitutional changes in the Charlottetown Accord. On occasion, one particular issue will dominate an election, and the election will in a sense be a virtual referendum. The most recent instance of this was the 1988 election, which was considered by most parties to be a referendum on free trade with the United States.

Related Topics:
By-election - Referendum - 1992 - Charlottetown Accord - 1988 election - Free trade - United States

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Canadian election turn-out is generally higher than that in the United States but lower than in most European nations. Election turn-out has also steadily been falling for many decades. Currently, about two-thirds of eligible voters vote in federal elections.

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The most recent Canadian election was held on June 28, 2004.

Related Topics:
June 28 - 2004

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