Voting and elections

General Information

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects every Canadian citizen’s right to vote. Canadian Armed Forces members will find below important information regarding Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial electoral events.

During a federal general election, the coordinating officer designated by the Minister of National Defence pursuant to the Canada Elections Act cooperates with Elections Canada, with liaison officers designated by the Minister and with unit commanding officers. Together, they ensure that Canadian Armed Forces electors may exercise their right to vote at military polling stations located in Canada and around the world.

During a federal by-election or a provincial or territorial general election, the coordinating officer cooperates with Elections Canada or with the appropriate provincial or territorial chief electoral officer and with unit commanding officers. Together, they ensure that information regarding registration and voting opportunities is transmitted to Canadian Armed Forces members.

In December 2018, Parliament approved important modifications to the Canada Elections Act. These changes will significantly improve the accessibility of the federal electoral system for Canadian Armed Forces electors. 

Voting by Canadian Armed Forces electors

Federal Elections

• Voting by Canadian Forces Electors During a Federal Electoral Event (Link to external site)
• Voting changes for Canadian Armed Forces members

Upcoming Provincial and Territorial Elections

• Elections British-Columbia
• Elections New Brunswick
• Elections Nova Scotia
• Elections Saskatchewan
• Elections Manitoba
• Elections NWT
• Elections Prince Edward Island
• Élections Québec

Points of Contact

CAF Coordinating Officer Special Voting Rules (SVR)

Colonel Stephan Gosselin
Chief Military Personnel
National Defence Headquarters
Carling Campus
60 Moodie Dr.
Ottawa ON  K1A 0K2

Telephone: (613) 901-5821

Elections Canada

In Writing:
Elections Canada
30 Victoria Street
Gatineau, Quebec
K1A 0M6

By Telephone:

• 1-800-463-6868, toll-free in Canada or the United States;
• at 001-800-514-6868, toll-free in Mexico;
• at 613-993-2975 from anywhere in the world;
• for the hearing impaired at TTY 1-800-361-8935, toll-free in Canada and the United States

By Fax: 613-954-8584 or 1-888-524-1444, toll-free in Canada and the United States

Over the Internet: Elections Canada Online