The Role and Structure of Elections Canada
Headed by the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, Elections Canada is an independent
body set up by Parliament. Its primary task is to be prepared at all times to
administer an electoral event.
The Chief Electoral Officer
The Chief Electoral Officer, Jean-Pierre Kingsley, is the fifth to hold the
post since it was created in 1920 by the Dominion Elections Act, largely
to put an end to political partisanship in the administration of federal elections.
The Chief Electoral Officer is appointed by a resolution of the House of Commons,
so that all parties represented there may contribute to the selection process.
Once appointed, the incumbent reports directly to Parliament and is thus completely
independent of government and political parties. The Chief Electoral Officer
serves until retirement or resignation; he or she can be removed only for cause,
by the Governor General following a joint address of the House of Commons and
Senate.
Mandate of the Chief Electoral Officer
Originally, the Chief Electoral Officer was responsible only for the administration
of general elections and by-elections. Under the Canada
Elections Act and other laws that now govern the federal electoral process,
the mandate has broadened to include the administration of referendums and other
important aspects of our democratic electoral system:
- administering electoral legislation
- registration of political parties and third parties engaged in election
advertising and of electoral district associations, leadership contestants
and nomination contestants of registered parties
- maintenance of the National Register of Electors
- disclosing contributions to candidates, political parties and third parties,
and to electoral district associations, leadership contestants and nomination
contestants of registered parties; examination and disclosure of their financial
returns; and reimbursement of expenses to candidates and parties according
to formulas laid down in the Act
- ensuring access to the system for all eligible citizens, through both physical
facilities and public education and information programs
- providing legal, technical, financial and administrative support to the
independent commissions responsible for the periodic process of readjustment
of federal electoral boundaries, to ensure that representation conforms to
the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act
The Commissioner of Canada Elections and the Broadcasting Arbitrator
The Chief Electoral Officer appoints a Commissioner of Canada Elections and
a Broadcasting Arbitrator.
The Commissioner of Canada Elections ensures that the provisions of the Canada
Elections Act and the Referendum Act are complied with and enforced.
Anyone who has reasonable cause to believe that a provision of the legislation
has been violated should complain in writing to the Commissioner who has 18
months of becoming aware of the facts giving rise to the prosecution and not
later than seven years after the day on which the offence was committed to prosecute.
During an electoral event, the Commissioner may apply for injunctions or enter
into agreements with individuals to ensure compliance with the Act. The Commissioner
will intervene, for example, if candidates, parties, referendum committees or
third parties exceed their spending limits or fail to submit their expenses
returns and receipts within the legal deadlines.
The Commissioner decides personally whether to prosecute a violation. Prosecutions
take place through Canada's normal court process, without the involvement of
the Attorney General, thus maintaining the non-partisan electoral process. The
current Commissioner of Canada Elections is Mr. Raymond Landry.
The Broadcasting Arbitrator allocates paid and free broadcasting time for political
parties during a general election and for referendum committees during a referendum,
according to a formula set out in the Act. The Broadcasting Arbitrator is also
responsible for arbitrating disputes between political parties and broadcasters
during a general election. The current Broadcasting Arbitrator is Mr. Peter
Grant.
Elections Canada
![Organizational Chart](/web/20060119212618im_/http://www.elections.ca/images/hor_org_e.gif)
The Office through which the Chief Electoral Officer carries out his or her
mandate normally comprises a group of employees working in Ottawa. During a
general election or referendum, more than 160,000 people are employed by returning
officers across the country. A returning officer in each electoral district
administers the election to choose a member of Parliament.
To carry out all the administrative tasks involved in preparing for and running
electoral events, Elections Canada has formed a structure of eight directorates.
The Chief Electoral Officer is seconded by the Deputy Chief Electoral Officer
and Chief Legal Counsel who is responsible for the Legal Services, Corporate
Planning and Executive Services, and National and International Research and
Policy Development directorates, as well as the agency's international services.
Legal Services
Provides legal advice to the Chief Electoral Officer and staff, including interpretations
of the Canada Elections Act, the Referendum Act, the Electoral
Boundaries Readjustment Act and other related legislation. Maintains Elections
Canada's relationship with the Commissioner of Canada Elections who monitors
compliance with the statutes administered by the Chief Electoral Officer. Deals
with legal aspects of broadcasting and maintains the agency's relationship with
the Broadcasting Arbitrator. Advises on legislative reforms, registers political
parties, referendum committees and third parties, and oversees privacy matters
related to the work of Elections Canada.
Corporate Planning and Executive Services
Coordinates the preparation of agency-wide plans to ensure event readiness.
Conducts regular information gathering and environmental scanning to ensure
the agency can effectively plan and monitor progress for the delivery of electoral
events and other major corporate projects. Supports organizational efforts to
define longer-term strategies to address emerging national trends and issues.
Coordinates the agency's relations with government, provincial electoral organizations,
and private sector firms.
National and International Research and Policy Development
Has primary responsibility for the agency's research program and for partnerships
and liaison with the academic community, research institutes, other national
and provincial organizations interested in electoral matters, and relevant international
bodies. Sponsors external research, carries out research internally and develops
short and medium term plans on electoral matters that fall within the agency's
mandate, notably to support the Chief Electoral Officer's responsibility to recommend
changes to strengthen the functioning of the Canada Elections Act. Provides
support for the Advisory Committee of Political Parties and maintains the
agency's reference centre.
The Deputy Chief Electoral Officer and Chief Legal Counsel is also the Registrar
of Political Parties and is responsible for the agency's international services,
which include a variety of multilateral and bilateral programs offering professional
support and technical assistance to countries developing democratic institutions.
The agency assigns electoral experts to meet Canada's commitments in support
of democratic development around the world.
Elections Canada's other directorates are:
Operations
Prepares for and conducts all electoral events. Develops the procedures, manuals,
forms and tools that facilitate registration of voters, voting and management
of the electoral process. Arranges to print, assemble and ship all necessary
materials to each of Canada's electoral districts as soon as an electoral event
is called. Administers the Special Voting Rules and accessibility programs that
make it possible for all those who have the right to vote to exercise that right.
Develops and administers training programs for returning officers, and acts
as the main liaison with returning officers, who are appointed by the Governor
in Council. Guides and assists returning officers, whose duties are varied and
call for the exercise of a wide range of modern management techniques that include
financial planning, office automation, personnel administration, contract negotiation,
and public relations.
Election Financing and Corporate Services
Manages all financial, audit and performance measurement activities at Elections
Canada. These include auditing and publishing, in summary form, the annual fiscal
returns of registered political parties and electoral district associations,
the campaign expenses returns of candidates, political parties, third parties
and leadership contestants and nomination contestants of registered parties,
and the financial returns of registered referendum committees. Reviews election
expenses returns for compliance with the legislation. Manages internal finances
at Elections Canada, which includes fiscal planning, developing financial policies
and systems, costing, budgeting, internal audit, and accounting operations,
including payment of election workers, performance measurement and corporate
reporting.
Manages all human resources, staffing, pay and benefits activities, official
languages, corporate training and development, staff relations, employment equity,
employee assistance and awards programs. Administers records and mail, facilities
and accommodations, materials, contracting and procurement, security, employee
health and safety activities, asset control and matters related to the provision
of the supplies and services required to conduct an electoral event. Supports
Elections Canada and the federal electoral boundaries commissions with administrative
services.
Communications
Informs Canadian citizens in Canada and abroad of their voting rights and how
to exercise them, through public and media relations activities, advertising
and educational activities. Responds to enquiries from the public both during
and between electoral events. Produces and distributes agency publications,
including official reports, information documents and educational kits, in print
and electronic formats. Provides a Web site with comprehensive information about
the electoral process, the registration of electors, the financial reports from
political parties, candidates and third parties, voting results in real time
on election night and a section specifically for young Canadians. Maintains
links with groups having special needs to ensure that appropriate information
(e.g. in alternative formats) is developed and provided to facilitate their
participation in electoral events.
Register and Geography
Operates and maintains the National Register of Electors, and oversees electoral
geography. Responsible for all electoral partnerships related to Register and
geography matters. Keeps Register information up to date with data from federal
and provincial/territorial sources and information provided by electors during
and between electoral events. Coordinates the agency's efforts to develop new
registration methods. Produces updated lists of electors each year for members
of the House of Commons and registered political parties. Provides data to produce
provincial, territorial, municipal and school board electoral lists in accordance
with signed agreements. Plans, develops and maintains an up-to-date geographic
information and georeferencing system to produce electoral maps and a variety
of address-based documents, both electronic and printed.
Information Technology
Responsible for all policies and procedures related to Information Technology
activities and infrastructure. Specifically, the IT Directorate plans, purchases,
implements, manages and supports all electronic networks, computer hardware
and software, as well as all Internet Web systems used by Elections Canada and
returning officers. Network and system users receive IT support from the Elections
Canada Support Desk.
Raising Youth Awareness
Elections Canada strives to ensure the fair and full participation of all Canadians
in an equitable electoral process. Specifically, it is taking action to address
the issue of declining voter turnout – in particular, among youth. Elections
Canada is promoting young Canadians' understanding of the electoral process
through public information and education, including the development of a new
voter education program for students between the ages of 16 and 18 and an advertising
campaign that is particularly sensitive to the needs of youth. The agency is
also raising awareness about the importance of exercising the right to vote
by building allies among opinion leaders, including student leaders and other
youth representatives. Meanwhile, the electoral process is being improved to
ensure it is as accessible as possible for youth. At the next election, there
will be more polls in locations convenient to them, more information on voting
by mail-in ballot and advance voting, and additional special registration drives
in student residences and neighbourhoods.
For more information, please contact:
Elections Canada
257 Slater Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0M6
Telephone
1 800 463-6868
toll-free in Canada and the United States
001 800 514-6868
toll-free in Mexico
(613) 993-2975
from anywhere in the world
For people who are deaf or hard of hearing:
TTY 1 800 361-8935
toll-free in Canada and the United States
Fax
(613) 954-8584
1 888 524-1444
toll-free in Canada and the United States
This publication is available in alternative formats.
November 2003
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