What Do You Know About How Canadian Elections Work?

By: Ashley Linkletter
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
What Do You Know About How Canadian Elections Work?
Image: artland/Moment/Getty Images

About This Quiz

Voting in Canada is one of the most patriotic acts you can participate in — but first, you'll need to understand how the Canadian electoral system works. Although Queen Elizabeth II is Canada's monarch, she has very little to do with the actual election process in Canada. (That is, of course, if you're not the governor general.) Knowing which riding you call home — or what a riding is! — can be confusing to first-time voters. Unlike some other governments, Canada has several main political parties and many fringe parties. The difference between a majority and minority government can make all the difference in terms of policy and decision-making — and the occasional coalition has been known to really shake things up!

Even if you're a veteran when it comes to the voting process, you'll learn something new in this quiz about how Canada conducts elections, including some interesting historical facts about how the current system came to be what it is today. If you're overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information you're about to consume, don't worry, the Elections Canada website has plenty of excellent additional resources online.

Grab your voter card — if you don't have one, you'll find out where to get one in a few minutes — and get serious. It's time to fill out this very Canadian quiz about how elections work!

1 - First-past-the-post voting
Ghislain & Marie David de Lossy/Cultura/Getty Images
What kind of electoral system does Canada have?
Instant run-off voting
First-past-the-post voting
Contingent voting
Proportional representation
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Canada uses a first-past-the-post voting system, also known as a "winner takes all" voting system, a form of plurality voting. Under this system, the person with the highest number of votes automatically wins, whether or not they earned a majority of the votes. This is currently a hot-button issue in Canada, with many voters arguing for a proportional representation electoral system.

Advertisement

2 - prime minister
Wiki Commons by 2017 Canada Summer Games
How many times can the prime minister be consecutively re-elected when they're in office?
They can't be reelected.
Twice
Once
There are no term limits.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In Canada, there are no term limits for the prime minister. William Lyon Mackenzie King was prime minister for a total of 21 years and 154 days, from 1921 and 1926, 1926 and 1930, and then from 1935 to 1948. His terms were non-consecutive but spanned three majority and three minority governments.

Advertisement

3 - represents Queen
Wiki Commons by Julian Calder for Governor-General of New Zealand
Who represents the queen in Canada on the federal level?
Lieutenant governor of Canada
Deputy prime minister of Canada
Prime minister of Canada
Governor general of Canada
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The queen (or reigning sovereign at any particular time) is represented federally by the governor general of Canada. The governor general is selected by the Crown for an unspecified amount of time, usually five years, and the length of the appointment is defined as "serving at Her Majesty's pleasure."

Advertisement

4 - Constitutional monarchy
Walter Bibikow/DigitalVision/Getty Images
Canada's political system is very close to that of the United Kingdom's — what is it called?
Constitutional monarchy
Dictatorship
Autocracy
Communism
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Canada is a constitutional monarchy, which means that while its head of state is Queen Elizabeth II (or whomever the sovereign ruler is at the time), the Constitution restricts her actual ruling powers. This political system is widely seen in Commonwealth countries, including the United Kingdom itself.

Advertisement

5 - Pierre Trudeau
Wiki Commons by Rob Mieremet / Anefo
Do you know the name of the prime minister who participated in the first Canadian Leaders' Debate?
Joe Clark
Brian Mulroney
Justin Trudeau
Pierre Trudeau
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, along with Robert Stanfield, Tommy Douglas and Réal Caouette, was present at the first Canadian Leaders' Debate in 1968. Trudeau debated in both French and English; Stanfield and Douglas only spoke in English, while Caouette spoke exclusively in French.

Advertisement

6 - Ridings (districts)
ferrantraite/E+/Getty Images
What is the name given to electoral districts in Canada?
Constitutions
Ridings
Provinces
Counties
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Canada's electoral districts are called "ridings." However, if you guessed "counties," you wouldn't be completely incorrect — in French-speaking areas of Canada, a riding is technically called a "circonscription," but is colloquially known as a "comté," which means "county" in English.

Advertisement

7 - prime minister's term
Wiki Commons by Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information Photograph Collection (Library of Congress)
How long does a prime minister's term in office typically last, before an election takes place?
10 years
Two years
Four years
Seven years
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Generally speaking, elections occur in Canada every four years. Beginning in May of 2007, the Canadian Elections Act set a fixed date for elections every four years, on the third Monday in October. Canadians will most likely be heading to the polls again on October 16, 2023.

Advertisement

8 - vote election in one riding
boonchai wedmakawand/Moment/Getty Images
Canadians also vote in by-elections — what is a by-election?
An election held in only one riding
An election called to replace the prime minister
An election to vote in special laws
An election in which only the House of Commons votes
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Canadians vote in by-elections when current members of Parliament need to be replaced, usually due to retirement, death or if the MP is stepping down from their position. More than one by-election can be held in different ridings on the same day.

Advertisement

9 - party
Ghislain & Marie David de Lossy/Cultura/Getty Images
Which of the following is not a registered political party in Canada?
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
Animal Protection Party of Canada
Veteran's Coalition Party of Canada
Green Party of Canada
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although the name is somewhat of an oxymoron, the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada was a major political party from 1942 to 2003. In 2003, the Progressive Conservatives voted to dissolve the party alongside the Canadian Alliance Party, in order to form the current Conservative Party of Canada.

Advertisement

10 - Kim Campbell
Wiki Commons by Simon Fraser University - University Communications
Canada has had one female prime minister during its entire history as a constitutional monarchy — what is their name?
Elizabeth May
Kim Campbell
Rona Ambrose
Emily Murphy
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A member of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada, Kim Campbell, briefly served as prime minister from June 25, 1993, to November 4, 1993, after Prime Minister Brian Mulroney retired from politics. Despite her position, Campbell never sat in Parliament, due to the fact that her term coincided with the summer break and the election campaign that followed.

Advertisement

11 - election campaign
adamkaz/E+/Getty Images
Under the Canada Elections Act, how long can an election campaign last?
One year
500 days
51 days
Three months
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Under section 57 of the Canadian Elections Act, the election campaign period needs to be at least 37 days long but no longer than 51 days. The intention behind this relatively short period of campaigning is to stay focussed on the most pressing issues at the time of the election.

Advertisement

12 - vote young person
SDI Productions/E+/Getty Images
To vote in a Canadian federal election, you'll need to meet one of the criteria listed below. Which one is it?
You must own a house.
You must be 18 years of age or older.
You must have a job.
You must have a bank account.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you plan on voting in Canada, you'll need to be at least 18 years of age on the day of the election. You must be a Canadian citizen — this includes people who hold dual citizenship — and you'll also need to provide proof of your address and identity.

Advertisement

13 - Voter information cards
Elections Canada
Voter information cards provide valuable information for registered voters. Which of the following pieces of information is not included on the card?
When you should vote
The different ways you can vote
Where to vote
The name of the candidate you should vote for
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Registered Canadian voters receive voter information cards about three weeks before an election is scheduled. This card tells the voter where and when they should vote, including the dates, times and locations of advance polls. It does not, however, instruct anyone who they should vote for.

Advertisement

14 - database
Tinpixels/E+/Getty Images
If you live abroad and want to vote, what is the name of the database you must sign up with?
International Register of Electors
Canadians Living Abroad
The Canada Votes International Database
The International Voters List of Canada
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Canadians who are eligible to vote can sign up to be included in the International Register of Electors online, or they can request forms from Elections Canada. Once registered, electors can participate in elections by voting with a special ballot that is mailed to their international address.

Advertisement

15 - homeless
SDI Productions/E+/Getty Images
Are Canadians who have transient places of residence or who are homeless permitted to vote?
Yes
No
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A Canadian without a fixed address is welcome to vote in an election, even if they are unable to provide proof of address. The individual needs to bring two pieces of identification with their name, take an oath and have someone from their polling station vouch for them.

Advertisement

16 - Premiers
AK2/E+/Getty Images
What are provincial and territorial heads of government called in Canada?
Prime Ministers
Premiers
Members of the Senate
Members of the Legislative Assembly
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Each province and territory has an elected head of government called a premier. (In the French language, "prime minister" and "premier" are used interchangeably as "premier" or "première ministre.") Premiers are referred to as "The Honourable" while they're serving in office; the title is only kept after their premiership if they become a member of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada.

Advertisement

17 - Transportation
chinaface/E+/Getty Images
Employers must give employees time off from work if their work hours prevent them from voting. Only one employment sector is potentially exempt from this law — which one is it?
Transportation
Finance
Retail
Technology
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The transportation sector can refuse to give an employee time off to vote if the employer transports goods or people by land, water or air, if the employee works outside of their polling division, if the employee works in the operation of a means of transportation and if the time off would interfere with transportation services.

Advertisement

18 - senators
Steven_Kriemadis/E+/Getty Images
Canada has 105 Senators — how are they appointed?
The prime minister draws names out of a hat.
They are friends with the prime minister.
They are appointed by the governor general.
The are voted in by Canadian citizens.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The governor general is officially responsible for appointing Canadian senators. Symbolically, the decision is made by the governor general on behalf of the queen (or ruling sovereign). In practice, the decision to appoint senators is made under the advisement of the prime minister.

Advertisement

19 - Leader of Opposition
Wiki Commons by André Forget
Who takes on the role of the leader of the opposition?
The deputy prime minister
The leader of the party with the second-most votes
The governor general
A chosen member of the Senate
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The leader of the opposition is the head of the party with the second largest constituency in the House of Commons. As of 2019, the leader of the opposition is Andrew Scheer, who is a member of Parliament and the leader of the Conservative Party in Canada.

Advertisement

20 - cabinet members
CamEl Creative/Photodisc/Getty Images
Who is responsible for choosing the cabinet ministers in the House of Commons?
The mayor of Ottawa
The prime minister
The governor general
A Member of Parliament
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Cabinet members in Canada are selected by the governor general, who appoints members based on the counsel of the prime minister. Generally speaking, Cabinet members are chosen from the House of Commons, although senators are occasionally chosen when certain areas of the country lack representation.

Advertisement

21 - Ontario
mbbirdy/E+/Getty Images
Out of all ten provinces in Canada, which one has the most ridings?
Ontario
Alberta
British Columbia
Nova Scotia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With 121 seats, Ontario has the most ridings out of any province by far. The province with the second-most ridings is Quebec, which has 78 seats. The number of ridings in the remaining provinces are as follows: British Columbia, with 42; Alberta, with 34; Manitoba, with 14; Saskatchewan, with 14); Nova Scotia, with 11; New Brunswick, with 10; Newfoundland and Labrador, with 7; and Prince Edward Island, with 4.

Advertisement

22 - Nunavut
sharply_done/E+/Getty Images
Canada's three territories each have the same number of ridings. How many do they have?
One
Four
14
Two
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Nunavut, Yukon and the Northwest Territories only have one riding each, with the riding sharing the name of its respective territory. Until 2014, the Northwest Territories riding was known as "Western Arctic" — under Bill C-37, the riding was changed to its current name.

Advertisement

Yonah Martin
WikiCommons by Gaetan Nerincx
Unlike the prime minister or other elected officials, members of the Canadian Senate hold on to their appointments for a longer period of time. How long can they remain in the Senate?
For life
Until they turn 75
Until their chosen political party loses power
For 10 years
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Canadian senators are allowed to keep their positions until they turn 75, but this wasn't always the case. Until the Constitution Act of 1965, members of the Senate could hold onto their appointments for their entire lives. The Act stated that those who were appointed before the change would be permitted to keep their place in the senate for life.

Advertisement

24 - dock pay
GCShutter/E+/Getty Images
Are Canadian employers allowed to dock the pay of employees who need time off to vote?
Yes
No
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Canadian employers are prohibited from refusing to pay or paying less than what is owed to employees who need to take three consecutive hours off to vote. It is also illegal for employers to use intimidation tactics or unwarranted influence to bully their employees into not taking the time to vote.

Advertisement

25 - local member of parliament
Nancy Rose/Moment/Getty Images
During a federal election, who do Canadians vote for on the actual ballot?
Their preferred candidate for the position of prime minister
Their local member of Parliament
The political party of their choosing
Their favourite Canadian musician
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Canadians vote for their preferred local member of Parliament who, if elected, will go on to represent one constituency or seat in the House of Commons. Whichever party has the most seats in the House of Commons becomes the governing body, with the leader of that party becoming prime minister.

Advertisement

26 - Elections Canada
Hill Street Studios/DigitalVision/Getty Images
What is the main purpose of Elections Canada?
To make sure the prime minister gets a second term
To get as many people voting as possible
To get people excited about voting
To administer Canadian federal elections and referendums
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Elections Canada is a non-partisan entity that is more formally known as the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer. This agency is responsible for ensuring Canadian federal elections and referendums are administered accurately and without bias.

Advertisement

27 - Canadian permanent residents
Leonardo Patrizi/E+/Getty Images
Are Canadian permanent residents allowed to vote in elections?
Yes
No
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Permanent residents of Canada are not allowed to vote in Canadian elections. They are also barred from running for any position in the Canadian government or holding high-level security clearance positions in both the private and public sectors.

Advertisement

28 - giving a ride
Delmaine Donson/E+/Getty Images
Providing a voter with transportation or travel fare can be considered a bribe under certain circumstances. Which of the following options is not an example of illegal bribery?
If the offer is given with no strings attached
If the offer is meant to influence a person to vote (or not vote)
If the offer is given conditionally
If the offer of travel funds is greater than the actual cost of travel (or a reasonable estimate)
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If an offer of travel assistance is given without any strings attached, then it is not considered an illegal bribe under Canadian law. The phrase "no strings attached" means that the driver or person providing assistance doesn't attempt to sway the opinion of the voter and that travel costs cover the estimated expenses and nothing more.

Advertisement

29 - cabinet members #
Hill Street Studios/DigitalVision/Getty Images
How many Cabinet members does Canada have, as of 2018?
100
30
35
67
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There are 35 Cabinet members in Canada, including the prime minister. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau added five new ministry positions to the Cabinet on July 18, 2018. A number of new Cabinet committees were also formed on that date.

Advertisement

30 - living outside country
martin-dm/E+/Getty Images
True or false: Canadians can only be part of the International Register of Electors if they have been living outside the country for less than five years.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Supreme Court of Canada made a ruling on January 11, 2019, that any Canadian voter who is currently living abroad and who has previously lived in Canada can vote in a federal election via special ballot, no matter how long they have lived out of the country.

Advertisement

31 - advance polls
fstop123/E+/Getty Images
When can Canadian electors vote in the advance polls?
Three weeks before election day
Two days before election day
The 10th, ninth, eighth and seventh days prior to the election
There is no advance polling in Canada
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Canadians who are eligible to vote can head to advance voting polls on the 10th, ninth, eighth and seventh days before the actual day of the election. Information on when and where advance voting polls are located can be found on voting information cards, online or by contacting Elections Canada.

Advertisement

32 - House of Commons
Steven_Kriemadis/E+/Getty Images
As of 2019, how many members of Parliament are in the House of Commons?
308
500
276
338
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There are currently 338 members of Parliament in the Canadian House of Commons. Unlike senators, who are appointed by the governor general on the advisement of the prime minister, members of Parliament are voted in by their constituents.

Advertisement

33 - polling location
Ken Reid/Photodisc/Getty Images
True or false: Elections Canada will call voters to let them know if their polling location has moved.
True
False
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It is against policy for Elections Canada to ever call, text or email voters to let them know where their polling place is located or if it has moved. All of this information is available on Elections Canada voter cards, local media or on the Elections Canada Voter Information website.

Advertisement

34 - correct procedure
Gregory Adams/Moment Open/Getty Images
Other than Elections Canada, who is responsible for ensuring the voting process follows proper procedures?
The prime minister
The commissioner of Canada elections
The leader of the opposition
The minister of elections protocol
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It is the job of the commissioner of Canada elections to make sure that the protocol for both the Canada Elections Act and the Referendum Act is followed throughout the election period. Since 2012, Yves Côté has served as the commissioner of Canada elections.

Advertisement

35 - Ontario
benedek/E+/Getty Images
Members of the legislative assembly are called MLAs in every province and territory, with the exception of three locations. Which of the following provinces has a different name for this position?
Manitoba
Ontario
British Columbia
Saskatchewan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ontario refers to a member of the legislature as an MPP (Member of Provincial Parliament). Newfoundland and Labrador use the term MHA (Member of the House of Assembly), and in Quebec, the term is MNA (Member of the National Assembly).

Advertisement

You Got:
/35
artland/Moment/Getty Images