Political parties need to choose candidates to run in an election. As soon as the 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 an “independent” candidate or a candidate with “no affiliation.”
The right to run in a federal election is protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
What 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 General
- an election officer, or
- a person who is imprisoned in a correctional institution.
- You must submit either a Nomination Paper or an online nomination form to Elections Canada.
Did you know? Party affiliation (i.e. the name of a candidate’s party) has been included on ballots since 1970.