Elections Canada

History

Elections Canada is an agency of the Parliament of Canada, and reports directly to Parliament rather than to the Government of Canada. The agency was created under the government of Jean Chretien by the Canada Elections Act on 31 May 2000.

Responsibilities

Elections Canada is responsible for:

• Making sure that all voters have access to the electoral system
• Informing citizens about the electoral system
• Maintaining the National Register of Electors and International Register of Electors
• Enforcing electoral legislation
• Training election officers
• Producing maps of electoral districts
• Registering political parties, electoral district associations, and third parties that engage in election advertising
• Administering the allowances paid to registered political parties
• Monitoring election spending by candidates, political parties and third parties
• Publishing financial information on political parties, electoral district associations, candidates, nomination contestants, leadership contestants and third parties
• Supporting the independent commissions responsible for adjusting the boundaries of federal electoral districts every ten years
• Reporting to Parliament on the administration of elections and referendums

Appointments and staff

The House of Commons of Canada appoints the chief electoral officer to head the agency. The chief electoral officer also appoints the commissioner of Canada elections (), who ensures that the Canada Elections Act is enforced. The broadcasting arbitrator (), who allocates paid and free broadcasting time during electoral events, is appointed by a unanimous decision of registered political parties in the House of Commons, or by the chief electoral officer if the parties fail to agree a candidate. The chief electoral officer is seconded by the deputy chief electoral officer, chief legal counsel and around 500 to 600 staff, mainly situated in the National Capital Region. During a general election or referendum, this rises to 235,000 workers

Compliance, enforcement and regulation

Main article: Commissioner of Canada Elections

The Commissioner of Canada Elections is responsible for regulating federal electoral events and enforcing compliance with the Canada Elections Act.

Before 2018, the commissioner was appointed in consultation with the director of public prosecutions and was overseen by the director, but has since become part of the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer.

References

Notes

References

1. (2022-09-13). "How we began". Elections Canada.
2. (2022). "2021–22 Departmental Results Report". Office of the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada.
3. (October 2021). "The Chief Electoral Officer and His Office - Overview of Elections Canada and the Federal Electoral System Briefing Book (October 2021)". Elections Canada.
4. (2015). "The Electoral System of Canada".
5. (December 12, 2022). "Canada Elections Act". [[Parliament of Canada]].
6. (26 March 2025). "Consolidated federal laws of Canada, Canada Elections Act".
7. (2022-12-23). "Our mission, mandate, values". Elections Canada.
8. (2022-12-23). "The Role and Structure of Elections Canada". Elections Canada.
9. (13 April 2022). "The Canadian diaspora: Estimating the number of Canadian citizens who live abroad". [[Statistics Canada]].
10. (2022-09-14). "About Us". [[Commissioner of Canada Elections]].
11. (2023-01-02). "Arbitre en matière de radiodiffusion". Elections Canada.
12. (2023-01-02). "Broadcasting Arbitrator". Elections Canada.
13. (October 2019). "The Broadcasting Arbitrator: Appointment, Term of Office and Duties - THE BROADCASTING ARBITRATOR According to the provisions of the ''Canada Elections Act''". Elections Canada.
14. (2022-09-14). "Enforcing the Canada Elections Act". Commissioner of Canada Elections.
15. (2022-12-23). "Relationship between the Chief Electoral Officer and the Commissioner of Canada Elections: Key Guiding Principles". Elections Canada.