Canadians will be called to vote on April 28th to choose their next government. A federal election is an opportunity for all Canadians to exercise their right to vote. Are you eligible to vote? And do you know the basic rules to follow when casting your ballot?
Who can vote?
You have the right to vote if you are a Canadian citizen and at least 18 years old.
Before voting, you must be registered on the list of electors for your primary place of residence.
Your primary place of residence is your “home”—the place you return to after a temporary absence, like going on a trip or studying in another city. This could be a house, an apartment, a student residence, or a care facility.
You’ll also have to prove your identity and address to vote. You can prove your address with an ID, a letter of confirmation of residence, or with the help of someone who can vouch for you.
If you live in more than one place, for example, at your parents’ home and a student residence, you must register at the location you consider your primary residence. You cannot register at a place you view as temporary.
If you live outside of Canada, you still have the right to vote! But you’ll have to register with the International Register of Electors to do so.
A three-hour voting window
If you work on election day, your employer must ensure you have a three-hour window to go vote. This applies whether you work in person or remotely.
Polling stations are open from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., so your employer can decide when to give you the three-hour window, as long as it falls within these hours. Your lunch break does not count as part of the three-hour window.
For example:
- If you work from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., your employer does not need to give you extra time since you have more than three hours to vote after work.
- If you work from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., your employer must provide a three-hour window before, during or after your shift. Your employer could, for example, allow you to leave work at 6:30 p.m. instead of 8:00 p.m.
Your employer cannot deduct these hours from your pay.
If your employer doesn’t give you time to vote, you can file a complaint with the Commissioner of Canada Elections. Employers who fail to respect this obligation could face fines of up to $2,000 or up to three months in jail.
If you work in the transportation industry, special rules may apply – check with Elections Canada
Keep your vote secret
Whether you’re waiting in line, casting your ballot or leaving the polling station, your vote is personal and private.
Thinking about taking a selfie for Instagram with your completed ballot in the voting booth? Stop! Taking a picture or video of your completed ballot is illegal. You’re also not allowed to share a photo or video of your ballot with anyone else.
While inside the polling station, you can’t announce who you are voting for or show other people your completed ballot.
Violations can carry a fine of up to $5,000 and up to six months in jail.
Vote and let vote
You can’t prevent or attempt to stop someone from voting. Everyone has the right to vote, even if you disagree with their views.
The right to vote is one of the most fundamental rights in a democracy. It’s protected by both the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Charter of human rights and freedoms of Quebec, which safeguard key values in Canada and Quebec.
If you try to stop someone from voting, you can be given a fine of up to $50,000 and up to five months in jail.