Elections Canada
Canadian federal agency in charge of elections and referendums From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Elections Canada (French: Élections Canada) is the non-partisan agency responsible for administering Canadian federal elections and referendums[a]. Elections Canada is an office of the Parliament of Canada, and reports directly to Parliament rather than to the Government of Canada.[6][5]
| Élections Canada | |
 | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | July 1, 1920[1] |
| Jurisdiction | Canada (federal) |
| Headquarters | 30 Victoria Street Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0M6 |
| Employees | 500 (Permanent) up to 235,000 (election period)[2] |
| Annual budget | $628,864,260 (2021–22)[3] |
| Agency executive |
|
| Website | www.elections.ca |
Responsibilities
Elections Canada is responsible for:[7][2][8]
- 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 (French: Commissaire aux élections fédérales), who ensures that the Canada Elections Act is enforced.[9] The broadcasting arbitrator (French: Arbitre en matière de radiodiffusion), 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.[10][11][12] 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.[2][4] During a general election or referendum, this rises to 235,000 workers[2]
Compliance, enforcement and regulation
The Commissioner of Canada Elections is responsible for regulating federal electoral events and enforcing compliance with the Canada Elections Act.[9][13]
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.[14]
See also
References
External links
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