Federal elections allow Canadian citizens to elect the members of parliament who represent their interests in the House of Commons. It’s a process central to Canada’s representative democracy. Knowing the rules helps voters understand their rights, such as voter eligibility — a common concern among younger voters.

Canadian federal elections are typically held every four years, as mandated by the fixed election date legislation. This law requires that each general election take place on the third Monday in October in the fourth calendar year following the previous poll, starting with October 19, 2009.