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Federal Elections in Canada

Federal Elections in Canada. A quick guide to what happens during federal elections in Canada - for the classroom. Elections Canada Jeopardy!. Test Your Knowledge. What comes to mind … in one sentence?. About Federal Elections. When you think of federal elections in Canada …. 3.

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Federal Elections in Canada

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  1. Federal Elections in Canada A quick guide to what happens during federal elections in Canada - for the classroom

  2. Elections Canada Jeopardy! Test Your Knowledge

  3. What comes to mind … in one sentence? About Federal Elections When you think of federal elections in Canada … 3

  4. What Is Elections Canada? 4

  5. What Does Elections Canada Do? • Conducts federal elections, by-elections and referendums • Enforces the Canada Elections Act, including political financing • Conducts voter education and information programs • Supports the independent boundaries commissions in adjusting riding (electoral district) boundaries • Studies alternative voting methods and can test these methods for future use during elections

  6. Canada’s Federal System Source: Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, p. 29.

  7. The Canadian System: First Past the Post • Also known as “single member plurality” system • Winner-takes-all system: • In each riding, the candidate with the highest number of votes wins a seat in the House of Commons • There is no need for a candidate to obtain more than 50% of the vote • The party that wins the highest number of seats is normally asked to form the government • This party’s leader normally becomes Prime Minister

  8. When Do Federal Elections Happen? Anytime! If government loses confidence of majority in House of Commons Federal Law Every four years (fixed date) Next election: October 2019 Electoral Period Minimum = 36 days Maximum = none Constitution Every five years

  9. The election call Election set-up Reaching out to electors (you and me!) Registering and voting Results on election night After the election Preparing for the next election Delivering a Federal Election

  10. 1. The Election Call • The Chief Electoral Officer receives the Governor General’s proclamation,instructing him or her to conduct a federal election • Elections Canada appoints a returning officer in each riding • The Chief Electoral Officer issues a writ to each riding, confirming election day and instructing the returning officer to hold an election in that riding Marc Mayrand Chief Electoral Officer of Canada Appointed by a unanimous vote in the House of Commons

  11. 2015 federal election by the numbers: 26,808,942 Electors on voters list Over 200,000 Election workers hired 69,200 Ballot boxes 64,000+ Polling stations (at about 15,000 polling sites) 400 Local Elections Canada offices set up within days of election call 308 Returning officer’s offices 119 Additional assistant returning officer’s offices Tractor-trailer loads of election materials shipped to local offices 2. Election Setup

  12. Objective: To ensure that electors have the information they need to exercise their right to vote! 3a. Reaching Out to Electors

  13. Voter information cards sent to all registered electors 2015 federal election: 26,808,942 Reminder brochures Over 13 million homes Targeted revision in high-mobility areas Community relations officers Advertising campaign Elections Canada website (Voter Information Service page) Enquiries unit (1-800 number) Media relations 3b. Outreach to Electors

  14. “Leave Your Mark” cards to unregistered youth Community relations officers for youth Door-to-door canvassing in high-mobility areas like student neighbourhoods Polling sites in residences on campus E-mail bulletins to student associations and youth groups 3c. Youth-Focused Awareness

  15. Ongoing: National Register of Electors: permanent database since 1997 95% coverage Updated continuously Online registration: Verify and update your registration online at www.elections.ca During an election: A voter information card and a reminder card are sent to all registered electors Make corrections through your local Elections Canada office 4a. Registering to Vote

  16. 4b. Who Can Vote? Three criteria: • Canadian citizen • 18 years of age or older • Having a piece of authorized ID (or having a person from your polling station vouch for you)

  17. 4c. Many Ways to Vote! • BeforeElection Day: • Advancepolls • Voting by mail • Votingat RO offices • Mobile polls • Specialvotingrules for Canadian Forces, people living abroad, incarceratedvoters • On Election Day: • Election day at your polling station • Interpreters (language barriers) • Services for electors with disabilities

  18. 4c. Many Ways to Vote! • But what about: • Internet voting? • Online registration?

  19. 4d. Voting on Election Day Canada is a large country, with six time zones • Staggered voting hours allow the majority of ballots to be counted at the same time • Polling stations are open for 12 hours • Polling station address is on voter information card; or find it at www.elections.ca

  20. 5. Results on Election Night Results are fed into the results system and are available immediately on the Elections Canada website Media have access to the same election night results feed Ballots are counted at polling stations

  21. Results are validated Local Elections Canada offices are closed Parties’ and candidates’ campaign expenses are audited Each returning officer returns the writ to the Chief Electoral Officer Winning candidates’ names are published in the Canada Gazette 6. After the Election • Two reports to Parliament: • 1. Areas of importance/requiring attention • 2. Recommendations report -- makes • suggestions to improve future elections (may also propose changes to the • Canada Elections Act)

  22. 7. Preparing for the Next Election • Maintain the National Register of Electors • Continue to identify local offices • Maintain and prepare to distribute election materials and computer equipment; maintain staffing levels • Continue to inform and educate Canadians about voting and the electoral process • Continue to identify ways to improve accessibility to voting

  23. How many eligible Canadians do you think voted in the 2015 federal election? Everyone? Almost all? Just over half? 2015 Federal Election

  24. Just Over Half  Democracy in Decline In 2011 it was the second-lowest turnout in Canadian history! 68% in 2015

  25. Just Over Half 

  26. Why are young people not voting? What are the challenges? What do you suggest? What might motivate you? What can you do now to prepare for later? Discussion Period

  27. Stay informed about the issues that affect you. There are lots of ways: Participate in student elections Talk to your teacher about doing an election simulation Talk to your parents and friends about politics Join a political party or advocacy group Be an ambassador! Encourage others to vote! During the next federal election, check out the Elections Canada website to find out how you can work for us! How Can You Get Involved?

  28. More Information Elections Canada www.elections.ca Parliament of Canada www.parl.gc.ca Tools for the Classroom www.bit.ly/election-education 1-800-463-6868

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