Voter — un droit qui s'ouvre avec la citoyenneté canadienne.
1. Who can vote?
The right to vote in general elections is reserved for Canadian citizens aged at least 18 years old.
Permanent residents cannot vote in elections, even after many years in Canada: this is one of the rare differences between permanent-resident status and citizenship. The right to vote opens when you become a Canadian citizen, after the oath ceremony.
2. Three levels of government, three elections
In Canada, you vote at three levels of government, in separate elections:
- Federal elections — for the Government of Canada, run by Elections Canada
- Provincial elections — for Quebec's National Assembly, run by Élections Québec
- Municipal elections — for your city
Each vote has its own date and its own voters list.
| Provincial elections (Quebec) | Federal elections (Canada) | |
|---|---|---|
| Responsible body | Élections Québec | Elections Canada |
| Government elected | National Assembly (119 seats) | House of Commons (343 seats) |
| Frequency | Every 4 years (fixed date) | Every 4 years (possible fixed date) |
| Automatic registration | No — via electoral register | Yes, if already registered for federal tax |
| Canadian citizens only | Yes | Yes |
3. Registering on the voters lists
To vote, your name must appear on the voters list.
Registration is often updated automatically from government sources — notably a checkbox on your tax return. But automatic registration is not guaranteed. The safe habit: check yourself that you are registered with Elections Canada and Élections Québec, and update your address after every move.
4. On voting day
Before a vote, you generally receive an information card showing where and when to vote.
- To vote, you must prove your identity and address — bring an accepted piece of ID
- Several options exist if you do not have the expected document — check the list of accepted documents
- Advance voting, before the official day, is also available
5. Your action list
Follow these steps so you can exercise your right to vote. Check each box as you go: your progress is saved if you are signed in.
6. Frequently asked questions
The most common questions on voting: whether permanent residents can vote, how to check your registration, voting at several levels of government, and dual voting rights.
Can I vote if I am a permanent resident?
No. Voting in elections is reserved for Canadian citizens. A permanent resident has access to almost all public services and most social rights, but not the right to vote — that right opens only with citizenship.
If voting matters to you, that is one more reason to consider the citizenship application once the physical-presence requirement is met.
How do I know if I am registered to vote?
Check directly with the election authorities — do not assume. Elections Canada lets you verify and update your federal registration online; Élections Québec does the same for provincial and municipal voting.
Each maintains its own list — check both. A recent move or a recent change to citizenship can leave you off the list.
Do I register separately for each type of election?
There are two main lists: a federal one (Elections Canada) and a Quebec one (Élections Québec), which also serves the municipal elections. These are separate systems — confirm you appear on both.
Good news: registration largely carries over from one election to the next. Your job is mainly to keep your address current and to verify before each vote.
Can I vote in Canada if I hold another nationality?
Yes. What matters for voting in Canada is being a Canadian citizen — holding another nationality at the same time does not remove that right. Canada generally allows dual citizenship.
Whether your country of origin lets you keep its nationality, and vote there, depends on that country's rules. For voting in Canada, the only condition is Canadian citizenship and registration.
7. See also
These related resources may be useful:
- Parcours — Canadian citizen — your rights and steps after citizenship.
- The Canadian citizenship application — the step that opens the right to vote.
- Passing the Canadian citizenship test — how to prepare for the Canada knowledge test.
- Voting in municipal and school elections in Quebec — the local votes open to permanent residents, not just citizens.
8. Official sources
For official, up-to-date information:
Author's Note: voting is the most visible right that citizenship adds. But it only works if your name is on the list. Make it a reflex: after every move, and before every election, check your registration.
