Voter au municipal et au scolaire suit des règles différentes.
1. Three levels of government, different elections
In Canada, you vote at several levels: federal, provincial, municipal, and there are also school elections. Our guide on federal and provincial elections covers the first two. This guide focuses on municipal elections — your city's — and on school elections, which choose certain education bodies. The rules, and especially who is allowed to vote, differ from one level to another, which surprises many newcomers.
2. Municipal elections: who can vote
General municipal elections take place across Quebec on a regular cycle, every four years, to elect your city's mayor and councillors. To vote, you generally must be a Canadian citizen, 18, and domiciled in the municipality for a certain period. Important for newcomers: permanent residency alone generally does NOT give the right to vote in Quebec municipal elections — citizenship is required. There are, however, particular categories, for example for property owners who don't live there. Check your exact eligibility with Élections Québec or your city.
3. School elections
The school side is more particular and has changed a lot in recent years. In Quebec, English-language school boards still hold elections to elect commissioners, while the French-language network was reorganized into school service centres, without general elections of the same form. The rules are evolving and have been the subject of legal debate. If you want to know whether there's a school election in your situation, and whether you're eligible, the safest is to check directly with Élections Québec and your school service centre or board.
4. How to register and vote
To vote, you must be on your municipality's voters list. In the weeks before an election, you normally receive a notice saying whether you're registered and where to vote; if you don't receive it or your information is wrong, you can request registration or a correction during the set period. Bring accepted ID on voting day. The exact dates, places and rules are published by Élections Québec and your city as the vote approaches — watch them, because registration deadlines are strict.
5. Frequently asked questions
Here are the most common questions about municipal and school elections: can a permanent resident vote, how often elections happen, and why municipal voting matters.
Can a permanent resident vote in municipal elections?
Generally not in Quebec — municipal voting requires Canadian citizenship, like provincial and federal voting. Permanent residence alone isn't enough. This differs from some other countries and cities, so don't assume. Once you become a citizen, you can register and vote at all levels.
How often are municipal elections held?
General municipal elections in Quebec follow a regular four-year cycle, on a fixed date province-wide. Between general elections, by-elections can be held to fill a vacant seat. Élections Québec publishes the calendar; your city announces local details as the vote nears.
Why does municipal voting matter?
Because the municipal level decides the things closest to daily life: snow removal, parks, libraries, public transit, zoning, water, local taxes. Once you're a citizen, your municipal vote is one of the most direct ways to shape your neighbourhood. It's local power, often decided by very few votes.
6. Official sources
To check your eligibility and the dates, see: the Élections Québec site, covering provincial and municipal elections. Your municipality's site. And your school service centre or board for the school side.
7. See also
These related guides may be useful:
- Voting in federal and provincial elections — the other two levels.
- Canadian citizenship application — what unlocks the right to vote.
- The permanent resident card — your status before citizenship.
Author's Note: the day you become a citizen, register on your city's voters list and vote in your first municipal election. It's small, it's local, and yet it's where the park in front of your home and the bus you take are decided. Your voice counts — especially municipally, where every vote carries weight.
