Federal Elections Flashcards

These are the fundamental criteria for exercising one of the key privileges of Canadian citizenship. The voters' lists are managed by a neutral agency called Elections Canada.

Even in a minority government, the leader of the political party with the most seats is invited to form the government. However, they must maintain the support of other parties to stay in power.

A vote on a major issue, such as the budget, is considered a matter of confidence. Losing such a vote demonstrates that the government no longer has the support of the majority of MPs.

Elections Canada is an independent, non-partisan agency that reports directly to Parliament and is responsible for conducting federal elections and referendums.

Each electoral district is a geographical area that elects one Member of Parliament (MP) to represent its citizens in the House of Commons.

Canadian law secures the right to a secret ballot, meaning no one can insist that you tell them how you voted, including family or employers.

Although federal elections are scheduled for the third Monday in October every four years, the Prime Minister can request an earlier election.

This rule establishes a predictable cycle for federal elections, though an earlier election can still be called.

The Cabinet prepares the budget and proposes most new laws. Its decisions can be questioned by all members of the House of Commons.

These individuals are elected to represent the citizens of their electoral district (or riding) in the federal government.

The Governor General acts on behalf of the Sovereign in inviting the leader of the party with the most seats to become the Prime Minister.

This database is used by Elections Canada, a neutral agency of Parliament, to produce the voters' lists for federal elections and referendums.

If a majority of MPs vote against a major government decision, the party in power is defeated, which usually leads to the Prime Minister asking the Governor General to call a new election.

Even if you are not on the list or don't receive a card, you can still be added to the voters' list at any time, including on election day.

The people who run for office are called candidates. There can be many candidates competing in a single electoral district.

The Prime Minister and the Cabinet ministers form the Cabinet, which is responsible for running federal government departments and making important decisions about how the country is governed.

This is the final step before depositing the ballot, ensuring the vote remains secret while being officially accounted for.

The opposition party with the most members is known as the Official Opposition or His Majesty's Loyal Opposition.

A candidate is an individual who is nominated for election. In a federal election, they compete to become a Member of Parliament for a specific electoral district.

This is known as a 'first-past-the-post' electoral system. The winner does not need an absolute majority (over 50%) of votes, just more than any other candidate.

The Cabinet, which includes the Prime Minister and ministers of the Crown, makes important decisions about how the country is governed and is responsible for running government departments.

This card is mailed by Elections Canada to registered voters to confirm they are on the voters' list and to provide essential details for casting their ballot.

This specific method ensures your vote is clear and can be counted correctly by election officials.

Each minister is chosen by the Prime Minister to head a specific department, such as Finance, Health, or Foreign Affairs, and oversee its operations and policies.

This is a fundamental principle of Canada's parliamentary system. If the government loses a major vote (a vote of non-confidence), it is typically expected to resign or call an election.

This ensures that all eligible citizens have the opportunity to vote, even if they did not register in advance or did not receive a voter information card.

This reflects the dual role of an MP: they are a local representative for their riding's issues but also a national legislator responsible for the good of the entire country.

Canada is divided into geographical areas for federal elections, and the citizens in each of these areas elect one MP to represent them in the House of Commons.

These documents are necessary to confirm you are on the voters' list and to verify your identity before you are given a ballot.

This is a key feature of Canada's responsible government, ensuring the executive branch is accountable to the elected representatives in the House of Commons.

Elections Canada provides these options to ensure all eligible citizens have an opportunity to cast their ballot, even if they cannot make it to their polling station on election day.

The Governor General, as the representative of the Sovereign in Canada, invites the leader of the party with the most seats in the House of Commons to form the government and formally appoints them as Prime Minister.

This ensures a timely announcement of the results, which are then made public through various media channels.

This protection extends to everyone, including family members, employers, or union representatives, safeguarding voters from coercion or pressure.

Its neutrality ensures that federal elections are conducted in a non-partisan and fair manner for all candidates and parties involved.

Multiple platforms are used to ensure that election results are widely and easily accessible to all Canadians.

This democratic principle allows citizens to hold their representatives accountable and decide if they deserve another term in the House of Commons.

This highlights the local-level authority of municipal governments, distinct from the provincial or federal laws that have broader application.

This acknowledges the distinct governance structures within First Nations communities recognized in Canada.

Folding the ballot is a key step to ensure the secrecy of your vote before it is handled by the poll official who tears off the numbered counterfoil.

Municipal governments are responsible for local services that directly impact the daily lives of residents in a community.

These organizations advocate for the interests and rights of Aboriginal peoples at different levels of government, separate from the on-reserve governance by band chiefs and councillors.

These are the members elected to represent different wards or areas within the municipality on the local council, which passes by-laws.