IFES Election Guide - Election Profile for Canada

Election Profile:

Overview

Results

Of Interest/Links

Sources

Country: Canada
Official Name: Canada
Election Type: Parliamentary
Date: January 23, 2006

Source for election date

At stake in this election:

308 seats in the House of Commons (Chambre des Communes)

Description of government structure:

Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II *
Head of Government: Prime Minister Paul MARTIN
Assembly: Canada has a bicameral Parliament (Parlement) consisting of the Senate (Sénat) with 105 seats and the House of Commons (Chambre des Communes) with 308 seats.

* The Queen is represented by Governor-General Michaelle JEAN.

Description of electoral system:

The Queen is hereditary .
The Prime Minister is designated by the governor-general to serve a 5-year term. The Governor-General usually appoints the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition.
In the Senate (Sénat) 105 members are appointed by the governor-general*. In the House of Commons (Chambre des Communes) 308 members are elected by plurality vote in single-member constituencies to serve 4-year terms.**

* Members are appointed by the Governor General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. No terms are set, and Senators may serve in office until the age of 75.

** According to the 2003 Representation Order, there are currently 308 electoral districts, and, according to the Constitution, one seat is allocated per electoral district. The duration of the House of Commons cannot exceed five years, except under special circumstances, including real or apprehended war, invasion or insurrection.

Main parties in the electoral race:

Party: Liberal Party of Canada
Leader: Paul MARTIN
Seats won in this House of Commons election: 103
Seats won in last House of Commons election: 135
Party: Conservative Party of Canada**
Leader: Stephen HARPER
Seats won in this House of Commons election: 124
Seats won in last House of Commons election: 99
Party: Bloc Québécois
Leader: Gilles DUCEPPE
Seats won in this House of Commons election: 51
Seats won in last House of Commons election: 54
Party: New Democratic Party
Leader: Jack LAYTON
Seats won in this House of Commons election: 29
Seats won in last House of Commons election: 19
Party: Independent Candidate
Leader: N/A
Seats won in this House of Commons election: 1
Seats won in last House of Commons election: 0
Party: Other Parties
Leader: N/A
Seats won in this House of Commons election: 0
Seats won in last House of Commons election: 0