< Step 1: Dissolution
Political parties need to elect candidates to run in an election. As soon as election writs are issued, each party must decide who will be its candidate for each riding. A candidate can also run for election without being affiliated with a party, as either “independent” or “no affiliation.”
The right to run in a federal election is protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Here are the basic requirements to become a candidate:
- You must be a Canadian citizen.
- You must be at least 18 years old on election day.
- You must not be
- a person who is not qualified as an elector
- a member of the legislative assembly of a province or territory
- the Chief Electoral Officer
- a judge appointed by the Governor in Council (the governor general acting on the advice of Cabinet)
- an election officer
- a person who is imprisoned in a correctional institution
You must submit either a Nomination Paper or an online nomination form.