FEDERAL ELECTION 2015A Guide to Voting

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Information in this presentation is provided as a public service by the agencies shown above.

Although we make every effort to ensure that all information is accurate and complete, we cannot guarantee that all information

is current or accurate.

AGENDA

Voting in Canada Who can vote How to vote

PARTICIPATE IN THE GOVERNMENT

Vote - Vote in the election Every Canadian citizen can vote

Volunteer - Help with the election Anyone can volunteer to help with the election

Candidate - Become a representative for the people,

be in the government Any Canadian citizen can choose to run as a candidate

VOTING IN CANADA

Canada has a democratic government

If you are a Canadian citizen you can take part in choosing the government

One of the privileges of Canadian citizenship is the right to vote

Regular elections are held for citizens to vote

Every person’s vote is important, and is counted

LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT Each level of government has decision-

making power over different areas of Canadian society

Elections are held regularly to choose people to represent the community in the government

LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT

UPCOMING FEDERAL ELECTION

In October, 2015, there will be an election for the federal government

The people chosen to represent us will go to Ottawa, Canada’s capital city, which is located in the province of Ontario

There, they will make decisions for us about issues that are controlled at the national level of government

FEDERAL ELECTION

The people chosen to represent us are called Members of Parliament or MPs

There are 338 positions or seats that are available in Parliament

When people are “running” they are called candidates

These candidates are running for one of the 338 seats

Candidates usually belong to a party

MAIN POLITICAL PARTIES

Liberal Party of Canada

New Democratic Party of Canada

WHO WINS THE ELECTION

The party with the most number of elected MPs or seats, will form the next government

If one party wins 169 seats they will have a majority government

If a party wins 168 seats or less, but still has more seats than any other party, they will have a minority government

THE PRIME MINISTER

In Canada we do not vote for the Prime Minister The Prime Minster is the man or woman who has

been chosen by the party to be the party leader The leader of the party who wins the most number

of seats in the election will be Prime Minister The leader of each party must also run for election

as a candidate to be an MP in their own riding If the Prime Minister does not get elected, she or

he can still be Prime Minister.

FEDERAL RIDINGS IN LONDON/MIDDLESEX

Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected to represent geographical regions, called ridings

The London/Middlesex area is divided into 4 ridings In each riding, candidates will run for election and

they want to represent the people of London/Middlesex in Canada’s government

FEDERAL RIDINGS IN LONDON/MIDDLESEX

FANSHAWE

NORTH CENTRE

LONDON WEST

ELGIN-MIDDLESEX-LONDON

WHO TO VOTE FOR Sometimes people join government parties -

groups who have similar ideas about how to conduct the government

There are parties that have candidates in every riding

Some parties have candidates in a few areas Sometimes people run for office independently

of the parties Parties have symbols and are colour-coded Watch for candidates to wear the party colours

on ties or jackets You will see road signs with the party logos and

colours

MAIN POLITICAL PARTIES

Liberal Party of Canada

New Democratic Party of Canada

DECIDING YOUR VOTE What are the issues that are important to you? What do the candidates in your riding say about

these issues? What do the government parties say about these

issues?

You can find out Attend candidate events or meetings Go to candidate and/or party websites Attend candidate debates Watch the party leaders debate the issues on TV Ask questions from the candidates or representatives

who knock on your door Follow candidates on twitter

VOTERS’ RIGHTS Every Canadian citizen has the right to vote Every Canadian citizen has the right to vote

without interference The voting process is designed to make sure that

every citizen has the chance to vote, and that their vote is their own choice and is secret.

Every person’s vote is important!

WHO CAN VOTE? Canadian citizen 18 years old Proof of identity and address

ARE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE?

If you are a registered voter already, it is easy to vote!

You will receive a voter card in the mail

This card has your name on it, where you go to vote, and when you can vote

If there are errors, or if you don’t receive a card, go to elections.ca or call 1-800-463-6868 to update your information

VOTER INFORMATION CARD

NOT REGISTERED TO VOTE?

If you are not a registered voter, you can register ahead of time or when you vote

Register ahead of time at www.elections.ca/register or 1-800-463-6868

Register when you vote at a polling station Bring proof of your identity and your address

PROOF OF IDENTITY AND ADDRESS

Best One piece of government-issued identification

Has your photo, name, and address on it Driver’s licence, Provincial Identification

PROOF OF IDENTITY AND ADDRESS

Okay One proof of identity

Health card, passport

and One proof of address – has name and address

Phone bill, bank statement

WHERE TO VOTE

Voting locations are called polling stations

Voter information card has location(s) and times

You can vote by mail too

Go to www.elections.ca to find your polling location

DO YOU NEED AN INTERPRETER?

You cannot bring an interpreter with you

Before voting day, you can ask for an interpreter to be with you when you vote

Got to www.elections.ca

Or call 1-800-463-6868

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU VOTE AT THE POLLING STATION?

2) You will go to a table to show your proof of identity and address.

1) Look for signs and helpers (election workers) to show you where to go.

4) The election worker will initial your ballot to prove that it is a real ballot and then fold it before giving it to you.

3) Your name will be checked off on a list which has the names of all the people who are registered to vote in that location.

6) With a pencil that is there, mark your choice on the ballot carefully.

5) You go to a table which will have a privacy screen.

8) The election worker will tear off one side of the ballot – that proves that it is a real ballot.

7) Give your ballot to the election worker.

10) You put your ballot in the box to finalize your vote. Congrats you have voted!

9) You get the ballot back. You can look at it if you want.

REMEMBER

Voting is the right of every Canadian citizen, so people will help when you go there

People who work at the polling station will NOT Look at your ballot Tell you how to vote Ask you who you voted for

SUMMARY

Every Canadian citizen over 18 can vote Voting is encouraged as a citizenship

responsibility One of the privileges of Canadian citizenship

is the right to vote Find out about the issues and what

candidates say about the issues It is easy to vote and completely private Voters need proof of identity and address When you go to vote there are people who

will help you

VOTER CHECKLIST

Make sure you’re registered

Watch for your voter information card in the mail

Check that you have the right identification

Decide when you will vote

Plan how you’ll get there

Decide who to vote for

WHERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION

Visit www.elections.ca Call 1-800-463-6868 Information in other languages on how to

vote: http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?

section=vot&dir=eth&document=index&lang=e