In Quebec, citizens go to the polls on different occasions, depending on the type of election. But with federal, provincial, municipal, and school board elections, it’s not always easy to keep track. Who decides what? To better understand the impact of your vote, it’s important to know what each level of government is responsible for.
Federal elections: the government of Canada
In a federal election, you vote for people who will represent you in the House of Commons in Ottawa. All Canadian citizens 18 and older can vote.
The federal government makes laws that apply across the whole country. It is responsible for things like:
- foreign policy and international treaties,
- national defense (Canadian Armed Forces),
- money and banks,
- criminal law.
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Good to know Élections Québec organizes some, but not all the elections taking place in the province. For example, it doesn’t play any role in federal elections. To find out which elections it is responsible for, check the explanatory infographic on Élections Québec’s website (in French only). |
Provincial elections: the National Assembly of Québec
Provincial elections are held to choose the members of the National Assembly of Québec. To vote, you must be 18 or older, be a Canadian citizen, and be registered on the voters list.
The government of Quebec is responsible for several essential services such as:
- health and social services (hospitals, health insurance, etc.),
- education,
- roads and public transport,
- civil laws (divorce, contracts, estates, etc.).
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In which electoral division do I have to vote? It’s not always obvious, especially if you’ve moved or if it’s your first time voting. To help you out, there’s an explanatory infographic available on Élections Québec’s website (in French only). |
Municipal elections : the local government
Municipal elections are held in each city or town. You get to elect the mayor and city council members. To vote, you must be 18 or older, be a Canadian citizen, and have lived in Quebec for at least six months. You must also meet one of the following two criteria:
- You live in the city.
- You’ve owned or co-owned a property in the city for at least one year.
Municipalities make decisions that directly affect your daily life, especially when it comes to:
- zoning and urban planning,
- permits (e.g. building or renovation permits),
- waste management,
- public safety (fire services, etc.).
School board elections: governance of English-language schools
These elections are only held in English-language school boards. In 2020, French-language school boards were replaced by service centers, which do not hold elections.
The purpose of these elections is to choose the commissioners responsible for managing English-language schools. To vote, you must be 18 or older, be a Canadian citizen and have lived in Quebec for at least six months. You also need to live within the territory of an English-language school board. If your child attends a school within that school board, you’re automatically registered to vote.
Why vote?
Voting is a fundamental right, protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Quebec’s Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. It’s simple, but it can truly make a difference. By voting, you get to:
- Choose the people that will take decisions impacting your daily life.
- Take part in managing essential services such as health, education and transportation.
- Express your opinion on important matters like the environment or the economy.
- Financially support the party you vote for, even if they are not elected.
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Did you know that your vote can bring money to the party you support? To learn more about the financial value of your vote, check out the infographic available on the Élections Québec’s website (in French only). |