+ What does writ drop mean?

The writ drops when the head of government (Prime Minister) advises the head of state (Governor General) to dissolve the current Parliament. A “writ” (a written command) is then issued for elections. In Canada, this usually happens once every four years, except during a minority government, such as the current situation.

+ What is my riding?

Canada is divided into 338 ridings (also called electoral districts). One representative, or member of Parliament (MP), is elected for each riding. You can find the name of your riding by entering your postal code in the Voter Information Service box.

+ Didn’t we just vote recently?

Yes! Depending on where you live, you likely voted a few times within the last four years, either in a municipal, provincial, or federal election. In Canada, each level of government has different responsibilities. For example, education is a provincial responsibility, whereas foreign affairs is a federal responsibility.

+ Can I vote in the election?

To vote in the federal election, you must:

• be a Canadian citizen
• be at least 18 years old on election day
• prove your identity and address

+ Do I have to register to vote?

Yes, but there are many ways to register, including at the polling station when you go to vote! The other ways include:

1. Online: Use the Online Voter Registration Service to register or update your address. You must prove your identity and address to register.
2. In person: You can register and vote at any Elections Canada office across Canada by Tuesday, September 14, 6:00 p.m. OR You can register at your assigned polling station when you go to vote on advance polling days or on election day.

Once you are registered, you should get a Voter Information Card in the mail. It tells you where and when you can vote.

+ How do I vote?

So many ways! You can vote at several places in person or by mail from wherever you are in Canada or the world

In person:

• At any Elections Canada office before 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 14
• In your riding at your assigned advance polling station from Friday, September 10 to Monday, September 13, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Find out this information by putting your postal code in the Voter Information Service.
• In your riding at your assigned polling station on election day, Monday, September 20

By mail:

• Apply to vote by mail before 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 14 if you feel more comfortable. Voting by mail is also available to Canadians living abroad.
• Make sure to send back your marked ballot by election day, Monday, September 20. Check the instructions in your voting kit for details.
• Once you've applied to vote by mail, you can't change your mind and vote at assigned polling stations before or on election day.

+ Can I vote before election day?

Yes, there are several ways to vote before election day.

At advance polls

• Vote at your assigned advance polling station in your riding Friday, September 10 to Monday, September 13, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. To find your assigned polling station, check your Voter Information Card or use the Voter Information Service.

By mail

• For more details, check the previous question.

At any Elections Canada office across Canada

• Elections Canada has over 500 offices open seven days a week leading up to the election. Vote at any one of them before 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 14. Use the Voter Information Service to find the Elections Canada offic

+ What do I need to bring with me to go vote?

Whether you vote during advance polls or on election day, all you need to bring with you is an acceptable form of ID, such as a driver’s license. Check out this list of accepted voter IDs. Everything else is provided for you at the polling station. Don’t forget your mask!

+ How long will it take to vote?

Not long at all! Voting should take less than 15 minutes, if you have the proper ID and are in the correct polling station. Check out Voter Information Service for more information on where you should vote. If you want to vote in the fastest way possible, you should vote at your assigned advance polling station in your riding between Friday, September 10 and Monday, September 13, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Can I take a selfie with my marked ballot?

No! Taking a picture of a marked ballot is illegal because it violates the secrecy of the vote under the Canada Elections Act. But you can take a picture with an Elections Canada sign outside the voting area. Don’t forget to post about it with the hashtag #YallaVoteCanada!

+ Can I vote at any polling station I want?

No! It has to be your polling station - usually the closest one to your house. The rules for voting on election day and on advance voting days in the federal election are that you cannot vote at any polling station in the country in the federal election - you must vote at your assigned polling station. You can find out where your polling station is by putting your postal code in the Voter Information Service.

+ Am I allowed time off work to vote?

Absolutely! By law, everyone who is eligible to vote must have three consecutive and paid time off to cast their vote on election day.

If your hours of work do not allow for three consecutive hours to vote, your employer must give you that time off. For example, if you live in a riding where voting hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and you usually work from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., your employer must allow you to arrive late (for example, at 12:30 p.m.), let you leave early (for example, at 6:30 p.m.), or give you three hours off at some point during the work day

+ Are all employers required to give time off work to vote?

Yes, the law applies to all employers, if your work shift does not give you three consecutive hours off to vote.

+ Can I lose pay for taking time off to vote

No! Employers cannot penalize an employee or make a deduction on their pay for taking time off to vote, as required by the Canada Elections Act.

+ Is there a penalty for my employer if they do not give me time off to vote?

Yes! It is an offence for employers to fail to provide time off or reduce pay for voting as required under the Canada Elections Act. The maximum penalty for violating these prohibitions is a fine of up to $2,000, three months' imprisonment, or both.

+ Why should I vote?

Your vote is the way you choose someone to represent you in Canada's Parliament. By expressing your choice, you are exercising a democratic right that is key to the democratic process of government that generations of Canadians have fought to build. For more information, see A History of the Vote in Canada.

+ Who do I vote for?

The choice is yours! Your vote is secret. In Canada, you have the right to vote for any candidate you want. Remember, you are voting for the candidate who you want to best represent you in Parliament. You will never have to disclose who you vote for to anyone!

+ I’m a student! Can I vote on campus?

Unfortunately due to COVID-19, Elections Canada cancelled the Vote on Campus program for the 2021 federal election. Students still have the option to vote by mail-in ballot (deadline to apply is Sept. 14) or at any Elections Canada office by September 14.

+ I’m nervous about COVID-19. Should I still vote?

Yes! There are many safe ways to make your voice heard, even in a pandemic.

• Apply to vote by mail by September 14, and you can stay home!
• When you enter a polling station, you may be asked for your name and phone number for contact tracing purposes, depending on the province you live in.
• Poll workers will be wearing masks and sanitizing the area throughout the day.
• If you vote in-person, you can bring your own pen or pencil to mark your ballot. Single-use pencils will also be provided!

+ I tested positive for COVID-19, what should I do?

Stay home! Any voter who has COVID-19 symptoms or has tested positive for the virus must isolate, stay home and not come to an Elections Canada office or polling place.

Unfortunately, after Tuesday, September 14, voters who have or believe they have COVID-19 and who have not already applied to vote by mail or voted at advanced polling stations, will not be able to vote. Please vote as early as you can through the best method possible!

+ Can I bring my baby/child/children to the polls?

Up to you! We know how important it is to lead by example and teach your kids the process of voting. Also, we know how difficult it is to find or afford childcare in the Arab community. While voters are encouraged to not bring their children with them to the polls due to the pandemic, you will not be turned away if you do.

+ I am worried about electoral fraud. Are election results in Canada accurate?

Elections in Canada are very accurate. The Elections Canada agency uses paper ballots for voters to physically cast their vote. On election night, poll workers count every ballot by hand in front of political party candidates/scrutineers. The numbers are then sent to Elections Canada in order to declare a winner.

+ What are the main political parties in Canada?

In alphabetical order, the federal political parties who served in the most recent parliamentary session are:

• Bloc Québécois (only in Quebec, and led by Yves-François Blanchet)
• Conservative Party of Canada (led by Erin O’Toole)
• Green Party of Canada (led by Annamie Paul)
• Liberal Party of Canada (led by Justin Trudeau)
• The New Democratic Party of Canada (led by Jagmeet Singh)

+ I am not eligible to vote, how can I help?

There are many ways you can get involved to help fulfill your civic responsibilities!

• Volunteering or supporting voting campaigns such as #YallaVoteCanada allows you to participate during the campaign and elections period even if you are not eligible to vote on the day of elections.
• You can help disseminate the essential information about registration and voting to your community and to those that may not have access to common sources of information on Social Media or such.
• Providing educational material to your friends and community that are able to vote can ensure that your community’s voice is heard overall!
• Educate yourself and those around you about the issues that are of the most importance for this Canadian Federal Election.