Words (Core Vocabulary)
- levels of government: federal, provincial/territorial, municipal
- riding / constituency / ward
- MP / MLA (or MPP/MNA, province-specific) / councillor / mayor
- election / by-election / referendum / ballot
- voter registration / voter card / polling station / poll clerk
- advance voting / mail-in ballot / special ballot
- acceptable ID / proof of address
- campaign / platform / debate
- public holiday / statutory holiday (stat) / observance
- reduced hours / service closures (government, banks, post)
Phrases (Register, vote, confirm)
- Am I registered to vote, and which riding am I in?
- What ID do I need to vote in person?
- Where is my polling station, and what are the hours?
- Is there advance voting, or can I vote by mail?
- Which services are closed on the statutory holiday, and are there reduced hours?
Contextual Examples (Natural, everyday)
- Call: **Hi—**I’d like to confirm my polling location and what ID is accepted.
- Email: Could you clarify if advance voting is available this weekend?
- Planning: Are municipal offices open on the public holiday, or should I come another day?
Collocations & Phrases (bold the key words)
Voting prep
- check registration
- verify your riding
- locate a polling station
- bring acceptable ID
- choose advance/mail-in options
Civic info
- follow debates
- compare platforms
- identify your representatives
- track election dates
Holidays
- confirm stat holidays
- expect reduced hours
- plan around closures
- check transit schedules
Canadian Cultural Context (How to sound natural & polite)
- Rules differ by jurisdiction; official election agencies publish ID lists and dates—ask for clarification if unsure.
- Advance voting and mail-in options help if you’re busy or travelling.
- On stat holidays, many services run on reduced schedules—double-check before going.
Extra Mini-Patterns (plug-and-play)
- Registration: “Am I registered at my current address, and which riding is that?”
- ID check: “What forms of ID are accepted at the polling station?”
- Holiday hours: “Are offices open on the stat holiday, or what are the reduced hours?”