Western Libraries

Canada - Elections

This guide focuses on primary sources for the study of past Canadian elections. If you need secondary materials, e.g. commentaries on or analyses of elections, use the Shared Library Catalogue. Also use databases to find articles in journals, magazines,

Electoral Districts/Ridings

Established by the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act, Revised Statutes of Canada 1970, C.E-2, DBW govt J 103.K6R482.

  • Boundaries are changed after decennial census according to population figures.
  • Electoral Boundaries Commission determines boundaries and publishes a report with maps for each province.

Electoral Atlas of the Dominion of Canada, 1895  DBW ref atlas JL 103.9.E44 1895.E44

Electoral Atlas of the Dominion of Canada as Divided for the Tenth General Election Held in the Year 1904  DBW ref atlas JL 103.9.E44 1906.E44

Electoral Atlas of the Dominion of Canada:  According to the Redistribution Act of 1914 and the Amending Act of 1915  DBW ref atlas JL 103.9.E44 1915.E44 and ARCC rdg rm ovr G 1116.F7C35 1915 V. 1 - 2

Electoral Maps of Canada - 1924 - Electoral Maps for the Provinces, Districts or Territories of Canada  (5 volumes) DBW ref atlas JL 103.9.E44 1924.E44

Federal Electoral Districts...Representation Order of 1996...  DBW govt JL 103.9.E44 1996...

Federal Electoral Districts...Representation Order 1987...  DBW govt map JL 103.9.E44 1987...

Federal Electoral Districts...Representation Order 1976... DBW govt map JL 103.9.E44 1971.F43

Federal Electoral Districts Pursuant...1961Decennial Census...  DBW govt map JL 103.9.E44. 1961.F43

Electoral Maps of Canada - 1924… DBW ref atlas JL 103.9.E44 1924.E44

Electoral Atlas of the Dominion of Canada...1915  DBW ref atlas JL 103.9.E44 1915.E44

Electoral Atlas of the Dominion of Canada...1904  DBW ref atlas JL 103.9.E44 1906.E44

Electoral Atlas of the Dominion of Canada, 1895  DBW ref atlas JL 103.9.E44 1895.E44

Characteristics of Districts/Ridings

The Census of Canada publishes statistics on socio-economic characteristics of the total population by electoral district. Use FedFinder.

1996 Electoral Boundaries/1991 Characteristics:
1991 Census Profile of Federal Electoral Districts (1966 representation) … DBW govt census  HA 741.5 1991 96-C26 v.1-2

1987 Electoral Boundaries/1991 Characteristics:
Profile of Federal Electoral Districts. Part A DBW govt census HA 741.5 1991 93-C335 

Profile of Federal Electoral Districts. Part B DBW govt census HA 741.5 1991 93-C336

1987 Electoral Boundaries/1986 Characteristics:
Census of Canada, 1986 – Profiles  – Federal Electoral Districts - 1987 – Representation Order: Part 1 DBW govt census HA 741.5 1986 94-C133

Census of Canada, 1986 – Profiles  – Federal Electoral Districts - 1987 – Representation Order: Part 2 DBW govt census HA 741.5 1986 94-C134

1976 Electoral Boundaries/1986 Characteristics:
Census of Canada, 1986 - Profiles - Federal Electoral Districts:  Part 1 DBW govt census HA 741.5 1986 94-C125

Census of Canada, 1986 - Profiles - Federal Electoral Districts - 1976 Representation Order: Part 2 DBW govt census HA 741.5 1986 94-C126

1976 Electoral Boundaries/1981 Characteristics:
Census of Canada, 1981 - Population... Selected Characteristics - Federal Electoral Districts DBW govt census   HA 741.5 1981 95-C901

Census of Canada, 1981:  Federal Electoral Districts...  DBW govt census HA 741.5 1981 95-C941

1976 Electoral Boundaries/1976 Characteristics:
Census of Canada, 1976 - Population: Geographic  Distributions - Federal Electoral Districts...DBW govt census  HA 741.5 1976 92-C808