WATCH — Why Canadians don’t really vote for the prime minister in an election

Canadians vote for their local member of Parliament

You’re probably hearing a lot of names associated with the upcoming federal election.

People around you might be talking about the main party leaders, like Mark Carney, Pierre Poilievre and Jagmeet Singh.

But those aren’t the same people who are coming to your door with pamphlets, or whose names are on lawn signs in your neighbourhood.

So when your parents go to vote, who are they actually choosing?

Chances are, they won’t be voting for the person who is running to be prime minister.

Each candidate who wants to be a member of Parliament runs in their own specific area, called a riding. That includes each party’s leader. 

So unless you live in the leader’s riding, your parents won’t be voting for the person who is running to become prime minister.

Click play to learn more from CBC Kids News contributor Sabrina Erin: ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Want to know more about the elections? Check out these videos:

• WATCH — Too young to vote? There are other ways to get involved 
• WATCH — Are these facts about ballots true or false? Play along with Maya
• A snap election has been called. Here’s what that means
• WATCH — How to become a political candidate
• WATCH — Get to know the political parties in Canada

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TOP IMAGE CREDIT: Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press, graphic design by Philip Street/CBC