List of Federal Returning Officers

Summary#

This Canada Gazette notice from the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer publishes the list of people appointed as returning officers for every federal electoral district as of December 31, 2024, under the Canada Elections Act. It also records the official return of the member elected in the by-election held December 16, 2024: Tamara Jansen for Cloverdale—Langley City, received January 9, 2025.

What it does#

• Publishes the name, address and occupation of the person appointed as returning officer for each federal electoral district, as required by the Canada Elections Act.
• Notes that the districts are those set out under the 2013 Representation Order.
• Shows some districts where the returning officer position is listed as vacant.
• Records the return of an elected member from a recent by-election:
  • Elected member: Tamara Jansen.
  • Electoral district: Cloverdale—Langley City.
  • By-election date: December 16, 2024; return received January 9, 2025.
• The list and the return are signed or published by Stéphane Perrault, Chief Electoral Officer (dated December 31, 2024 in the notice).

Who's affected#

• The people named as returning officers for each district.
• Political parties, candidates and local campaign teams who need to contact a returning officer.
• Voters and community groups who want to know who runs federal polls in their area.
• Election staff and anyone involved in organizing or overseeing federal elections.
• Residents of Cloverdale—Langley City, who now have Tamara Jansen recorded as their elected member following the by-election.

Why it matters#

• Returning officers run local federal elections and are the main contact for voting questions, poll locations and candidate matters. Making their names public improves transparency and helps people find who is responsible in their district.
• Noting vacancies highlights districts where temporary arrangements or appointments may be needed before the next election.
• The by-election return confirms who will represent Cloverdale—Langley City in Parliament, which matters for local representation and constituent services.