FEDERAL ELECTION 2015 A Guide to Voting PROGRAM

FEDERAL ELECTION 2015 A Guide to Voting

PROGRAM SUPPORTERS 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 q q q 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 q Canada has a democratic government q If you are a Canadian citizen you can take part in choosing the government q One of the privileges of Canadian citizenship is the right to vote q Regular elections are held for citizens to vote q Every person’s vote is important, and is counted

LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT q Each level of government has decision-making power over different areas of Canadian society q Elections are held regularly to choose people to represent the community in the government

LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT Federal Nation of Canada Provincial Province of Ontario Municipal City of London • Make laws for the whole country • Member of Parliament (MP) • Make laws for the province • Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) • Make laws for the city • City Councillor

UPCOMING FEDERAL ELECTION q In October, 2015, there will be an election for the federal government q The people chosen to represent us will go to Ottawa, Canada’s capital city, which is located in the province of Ontario q There, they will make decisions for us about issues that are controlled at the national level of government

FEDERAL ELECTION q The people chosen to represent us are called Members of Parliament or MPs q There are 338 positions or seats that are available in Parliament q When people are “running” they are called candidates q These candidates are running for one of the 338 seats q Candidates usually belong to a party

MAIN POLITICAL PARTIES Liberal Party of Canada New Democratic Party of Canada

WHO WINS THE ELECTION q The party with the most number of elected MPs or seats, will form the next government q If one party wins 169 seats they will have a majority government q 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 q In Canada we do not vote for the Prime Minister q The Prime Minster is the man or woman who has been chosen by the party to be the party leader q The leader of the party who wins the most number of seats in the election will be Prime Minister q The leader of each party must also run for election as a candidate to be an MP in their own riding q If the Prime Minister does not get elected, she or he can still be Prime Minister.

FEDERAL RIDINGS IN LONDON/MIDDLESEX q Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected to represent geographical regions, called ridings q The London/Middlesex area is divided into 4 ridings q 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

FANSHAW E

NORTH CENTRE

LONDON WEST

ELGINMIDDLESEXLONDON

WHO TO VOTE FOR q Sometimes people join government parties - groups who have similar ideas about how to conduct the government q There are parties that have candidates in every riding q Some parties have candidates in a few areas q Sometimes people run for office independently of the parties q Parties have symbols and are colour-coded q Watch for candidates to wear the party colours on ties or jackets q 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 q What are the issues that are important to you? q What do the candidates in your riding say about these issues? q 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 q Every Canadian citizen has the right to vote without interference q 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. q Every person’s vote is important!

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

ARE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE? q If you are a registered voter already, it is easy to vote! q You will receive a voter card in the mail q This card has your name on it, where you go to vote, and when you can vote q 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? q If you are not a registered voter, you can register ahead of time or when you vote q Register ahead of time at www. elections. ca/register or 1 -800 -463 -6868 q Register when you vote at a polling station § Bring proof of your identity and your address

PROOF OF IDENTITY AND ADDRESS Best q One piece of government-issued identification q Has your photo, name, and address on it § Driver’s licence, Provincial Identification

PROOF OF IDENTITY AND ADDRESS Okay q One proof of identity § Health card, passport and q One proof of address – has name and address § Phone bill, bank statement

WHERE TO VOTE q Voting locations are called polling stations q Voter information card has location(s) and times q You can vote by mail too q Go to www. elections. ca to find your polling location

DO YOU NEED AN INTERPRETER? q q You cannot bring an interpreter with you Before voting day, you can ask for an interpreter to be with you when you vote q Got to www. elections. ca q Or call 1 -800 -463 -6868

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU VOTE AT THE POLLING STATION? 1) Look for signs and helpers (election workers) to show you where to go. 2) You will go to a table to show your proof of identity and address.

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. 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.

5) You go to a table which will have a privacy screen. 6) With a pencil that is there, mark your choice on the ballot carefully.

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

9) You get the ballot back. You can look at it if you want. 10) You put your ballot in the box to finalize your vote. Congrats you have voted!

REMEMBER q q 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 q Every Canadian citizen over 18 can vote q Voting is encouraged as a citizenship responsibility q One of the privileges of Canadian citizenship is the right to vote q Find out about the issues and what candidates say about the issues q It is easy to vote and completely private q Voters need proof of identity and address q When you go to vote there are people who will help you

VOTER CHECKLIST q Make sure you’re registered q Watch for your voter information card in the mail q Check that you have the right identification q Decide when you will vote q Plan how you’ll get there q Decide who to vote for

WHERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION q q q 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=et h&document=index&lang=e