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Social studies · Grades 8–12

Elections and Parliament in Canada

Study guide for Grades 8 to 12: 4 key ideas, including parliament, elections and the Senate; 2 worked examples and 3 practice questions. How Canadians choose members of Parliament, how the Senate is formed, and how a government is chosen.

One-page printable summary: Elections and Parliament in Canada · Revision sheet.

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Learn the idea

Parliament

Canada’s Parliament has three parts: the Crown (represented by the Governor General), the Senate and the House of Commons.

Elections

Voters in each electoral district (riding) elect one member of Parliament. The candidate with the most votes wins, even without a majority.

The Senate

Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister and may serve until age 75.

Forming government

The party that can keep the confidence of the House of Commons usually forms the government, and its leader becomes Prime Minister.

Worked examples

How are members of the House of Commons chosen?

Each riding elects one member of Parliament.

They are elected in electoral districts (ridings).

How are senators chosen in Canada?

Senators are appointed, not elected.

They are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister.

Check your understanding

  1. In a Canadian federal election, which candidate wins a riding?

    1. The oldest candidate
    2. The candidate with the most votes, even without a majority
    3. Only a candidate with more than half of the votes
    4. The candidate chosen by the Senate

  2. Who represents the monarch (the Crown) at the federal level in Canada?

    1. The Governor General
    2. The Chief Justice
    3. The Speaker of the House
    4. The Prime Minister

  3. What is the minimum voting age in Canadian federal elections?

    1. 18
    2. 21
    3. 25
    4. 16

Answers and marking notes

Answers and marking notes
  1. The candidate with the most votes, even without a majority

    Canada uses a plurality system often called first-past-the-post.

  2. The Governor General

    The Governor General represents the Crown federally; lieutenant governors do so in the provinces.

  3. 18

    Canadian citizens aged 18 or older can vote in federal elections.

How this page was made: written for StudyBrix with AI assistance from our own templates. Answers and worked examples are checked by automated tests, and grade bands are approximate, not an official curriculum alignment. See the editorial policy for corrections. Editorial policy