2011 Canadian electoral calendar facts for kids

In Canada, elections are how people choose their leaders and representatives. In 2011, many different kinds of elections happened across the country. These included big national elections, elections for provinces and territories, and even for local cities and towns. People also voted in special elections called by-elections, and political parties picked new leaders. This list tells you about the important elections that took place in Canada during 2011.

January to April: Early Elections

The year 2011 started with a few special elections and party leadership votes.

• February 1 – A local election, called a by-election, happened in Lethbridge to choose a new representative for a part of the city.
• February 15 – A provincial by-election took place in Humber West in Newfoundland and Labrador. A by-election is a special election held when a seat becomes empty between general elections.
• February 26 – The 2011 British Columbia Liberal Party leadership election was held. This is when members of a political party choose who will be their leader.
• April 2 – The 2011 Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership election took place, where that party chose its new leader.
• April 16 – The 2011 New Brunswick New Democratic Party leadership election was held for the New Democratic Party in New Brunswick to pick their leader.
• April 17 – The 2011 British Columbia New Democratic Party leadership election saw the New Democratic Party in British Columbia choose their new leader.

May to August: Busy Summer Elections

The spring and summer of 2011 were very busy with a major national election and more party leadership races.

• May 2 – The 2011 Canadian federal election was a big election for the whole country. Canadians voted for Members of Parliament to represent them in the national government.
• May 11 – A provincial by-election happened in Vancouver-Point Grey in British Columbia to fill an empty seat.
• May 28 – On this day, several political parties chose their new leaders:
  • The 2011 Alberta Party leadership election for the Alberta Party.
  • The 2011 British Columbia Conservative Party leadership election for the Conservative Party in British Columbia.
  • The May 2011 Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership election for the Liberal Party in Newfoundland and Labrador.
  • The 2011 Yukon Party leadership election for the Yukon Party.
• June 6 – A local by-election took place in Lacombe County, Alberta, to elect a new local representative.
• June 21 – A provincial by-election was held in Cape Breton North in Nova Scotia.
• June 13 to August 5 – The 2011 British Columbia sales tax referendum took place. A referendum is when people vote directly on a specific question or law. In this case, it was about a sales tax.
• August 14 – Another leadership election, the August 2011 Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership election, was held for the Liberal Party in Newfoundland and Labrador.

September to December: Fall General Elections

The fall of 2011 was a time for many general elections across different provinces and territories.

• September 10 – The 2011 Alberta Liberal Party leadership election was held, where the Alberta Liberal Party chose its leader.
• September 12 – A territorial by-election happened in Iqaluit West in Nunavut.
• September 17 & October 1 – The 2011 Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta leadership election took place over two dates for the Progressive Conservative Party in Alberta to pick their leader.
• September 19 – A local by-election was held in 2011 Mississauga Ward 5 by-election in Mississauga, Ontario.
• October 3 – Two general elections happened on this day:
  • The 2011 Prince Edward Island general election for the province of Prince Edward Island.
  • The 2011 Northwest Territories general election for the Northwest Territories.
• October 4 – The 2011 Manitoba general election was held for the province of Manitoba.
• October 6 – The 2011 Ontario general election took place for the province of Ontario.
• October 11 – Two more general elections happened:
  • The 2011 Newfoundland and Labrador general election for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
  • The 2011 Yukon general election for the Yukon territory.
• November 2 – Local elections were held in Saskatchewan for many rural areas.
• November 7 – The 2011 Saskatchewan general election took place for the province of Saskatchewan.
• November 19 – Many local elections, called 2011 British Columbia municipal elections, were held across British Columbia.
• December 5 – A provincial by-election happened in Bonaventure, Quebec.
• December 11 – The 2011 Bloc Québécois leadership election was held, where the Bloc Québécois party chose its new leader.