Do you like this page?
Federal Elections
In the federal election, you are voting to choose your Member of Parliament (MP) to represent your local riding in the House of Commons in Ottawa.
The party that wins the most seats by having the most MPs elected usually forms the government. If they win more than 170 seats, it is a majority government. If less, it is a minority government. You can learn more about the distinction between the two on our socials.
The leader of the political party that wins the most seats in Parliament becomes the Prime Minister. When no party wins a majority, parties can negotiate to form coalitions or agreements.
Federal elections are held at least every 4 years, but they can be called earlier.
| What You Are Voting For | What You Are Not Voting For |
|---|---|
| Member of Parliament Prime Minister (indirectly) |
Senators The Governor General Provincial or municipal leaders |
Federal Government
In Canada, there are 3 levels of government:
- The Federal Government
- The Provincial Government
- The Municipal Government
Each level has its own list (formally known as mandate or jurisdiction), of what they are responsible for.
The federal government is the national government of Canada. They are responsible for matters that affect the country as a whole.
Federal elections take place roughly every five years in Canada.
Areas of federal responsibility include:
- Legislation: The federal government enacts laws on matters of national importance, such as defense, immigration, criminal justice, and trade.
- Defense and Security: Responsible for national defense, the military, and national security.
- Foreign Affairs: Manages Canada’s international relations, including diplomacy, trade agreements, and international aid.
- Economic Policy: Develops and implements policies to promote economic growth, including federal budgets, taxation, and regulation of trade and commerce.
- Social Services: Provides social programs like employment insurance, old age security, and health transfers to provinces.
- Environmental Policy: Regulates environmental protection and conservation efforts, addressing issues like climate change and natural resource management.