Definition: The Chief Electoral Officer of Canada is head of Elections Canada which is responsible for the conduct of Canadian federal elections and referendums. Responsibilities of the office include:
- enforcing election legislation
- making sure voters have access to the Canadian federal election system
- keeping the public informed about the Canadian federal election system
- registering federal political parties
- monitoring federal election spending
- providing support to federal electoral boundary commissions which adjust the boundaries of federal ridings every 10 years.
The Chief Electoral Officer is an Officer of Parliament and is appointed by a resolution of the House of Commons. The Chief Electoral Officer reports directly to Parliament and serves until retirement at age 65 or until he or she resigns. The Chief Electoral Officer can only be removed from office for cause by a motion of both the House of Commons and the Senate.
The position of Chief Electoral Officer was established in 1920.
