Our mission, mandate, values

Mission

Ensuring that Canadians can exercise their democratic rights to vote and be a candidate.

Mandate

The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, commonly known as Elections Canada, is an independent, non-partisan agency that reports directly to Parliament. Its mandate is to:

• be prepared to conduct a federal general election, by-election or referendum
• administer the political financing provisions of the Canada Elections Act
• monitor compliance with electoral legislation
• conduct public information campaigns on voter registration, voting and becoming a candidate
• conduct education programs for students on the electoral process
• provide support to the independent commissions in charge of adjusting the boundaries of federal electoral districts following each decennial census
• carry out studies on alternative voting methods and, with the approval of parliamentarians, test alternative voting processes for future use during electoral events
• provide assistance and co-operation in electoral matters to electoral agencies in other countries or to international organizations

Values

Our day-to-day activities and decision making are guided by the following key values:

• a knowledgeable and professional workforce
  
  
• transparency in everything we do
  
  
• responsiveness to the needs of Canadians involved in the electoral process
  
  
• cohesiveness and consistency in administering the Canada Elections Act
  
  
• continuously earning and maintaining the public's trust
  
  
• stewardship and accountability in how we manage our resources