The right to vote in a free and fair election is fundamental to our society and every Canadian is entitled to exercise it free from violations of their privacy. The legal framework that governs your privacy rights in elections is complex and evolving. This guide is here to help you understand: 

• Who has access to your personal information in an election 
• What information they have access to 
• How they are allowed to use your personal information 
• How you can access and protect that information 
• Your recourse if you believe your privacy rights have been violated 
• Resources you can access for more information 

The following pages have been created to help you navigate your privacy rights across the country. 

• Political Privacy Foundations
  • The core concepts around political privacy laws, and the distinction between a register of electors and voters list.
• Privacy and Political Entities
  • What you should know about how political entities, such as political parties, can legally access, use, and disclose your personal information. 
• Federal Election Privacy
  • What you should know about the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information that is collected for a federal election.
• Provincial Election Privacy
  • What you should know about the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information that is collected for a provincial election.
• Municipal Election Privacy
  • What you should know about the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information that is collected for a municipal election.
• Election Privacy Complaints
  •  Regarding your personal information collected for an election, here are steps you can take to:
    • Prevent unauthorized uses
    • Have an unauthorized use investigated
• Canadian Election Frameworks
  • Links to important legislation and complaint mechanisms  

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These pages were last updated and reviewed in the summer of 2024. 

The information on these pages only contains general information and guidance; none of the information constitutes legal advice. If you have a specific issue that you believe is a legal problem, the best practice is to consult a lawyer. 

The information is non-partisan, dynamic and ever changing. It is the result of FIPA’s research and public education programs.

If you note something that needs to be added, corrected, or removed, please contact us by email: fipa AT fipa.bc.ca.