Appointer Parliament of Canada Constituting instrument Dominion Elections Act First holder Oliver Mowat Biggar | Term length 10 years
(as of 2014) Formation 1920 | |
Deputy Assistant Chief Electoral Officer
Broadcasting Arbitrator | ||
The Chief Electoral Officer of Canada (French: Directeur général des élections du Canada) is the person responsible for the administration of elections, referenda and other aspects of the electoral system in Canada. The positions was established in 1920 under the Dominion Elections Act to be the chief executive of the independent agency now known as Elections Canada.
The Chief Electoral Officer is assisted in carrying out their mandate by the Assistant Chief Electoral Officer and the Broadcasting Arbitrator who ensures that the provisions of the Canada Elections Act and the Canada Referendum Act are carried out, and the Commissioner of Canada Elections who enforces the Act. Neither the Chief Electoral Officer nor the Assistant Chief Electoral Officer may vote in a general election, the only resident Canadian citizens 18 years of age or older who are not permitted to vote.
The current and sixth Chief Electoral Officer is Marc Mayrand, appointed on 21 February 2007.
Former Chief Electoral Officers
- Oliver Mowat Biggar (1920–1927)
- Jules Castonguay (1927–1949)
- Nelson Jules Castonguay (1949–1966)
- Jean-Marc Hamel (1966–1990)
- Jean-Pierre Kingsley (1990–2007)
- Marc Mayrand (2007–Present)