Foreign elections in Canada and foreign electoral constituencies

Establishing foreign voting stations in Canada

The Government of Canada encourages foreign states to allow its citizens residing permanently or temporarily in Canada to exercise their right to vote in their country of origin’s elections or referendums, namely by absentee ballot.

Global Affairs Canada will consider official requests for establishing voting stations within diplomatic missions or consular posts to facilitate an election or referendum process. It will also consider the establishment of voting stations in certain non-diplomatic and non-consular premises. The Office of Protocol is the point of contact regarding foreign electoral activities in the country.

Requests seeking authorization to establish foreign voting stations in Canada must be made in writing by email to the Privileges and Immunities Unit, well in advance and ideally 90 days prior to the proposed event and specify the:

  • Type of election or referendum, for example, legislative, presidential, congressional, constitutional amendment
  • Date(s) the voting will take place, including the date(s) of any potential second voting round
  • Hours the voting station(s) will be open
  • Location with complete civic address of each voting station within diplomatic and consular premises (this can include the address of an honorary consul)
  • Location with complete civic address of each voting stations in other private locations, meaning outside diplomatic and consular premises
  • Estimate number of voters
  • Statement that the mission and consular posts involved will:
    • Review and respect all relevant provincial/municipal requirements and take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of voting activities for attendees; this includes discussions with provincial/ municipal officials regarding any crowd control measures that may need to be put in place (including the hiring of private security services) both inside and outside the voting sites; and
    • Ensure that applicable provincial and municipal occupational health and safety requirements are strictly adhered to for the benefit of staff, including locally engaged staff and any contractors.

Incomplete requests will delay the review process.

Canada does not assume responsibility or liability for any damage to or loss of property, or for death or personal injury, that may occur in connection with a foreign voting process. Canada’s State Immunity Act contains an exception to state immunity for death and personal injury.

Foreign extraterritorial electoral constituencies and election campaigning

Global Affairs Canada does not approve requests by countries to open voting stations for elections that include Canada as part of a geographically defined electoral constituency, also known as an extraterritorial electoral constituency. In such a case, elected representatives holding a seat in a foreign legislative body would be representing people who are residing in Canada.

In addition to not approving requests for voting activities related to extraterritorial electoral constituencies in Canada, Global Affairs Canada will not allow foreign governments to conduct election campaigns, or to foreign establish political parties or movements in the country.

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