Electoral system for national legislature

Elections Canada, Canada Elections Act (consolidated in 2000, last amended in March 2025), accessed 29 April 2025

Part 15: Return of the Writ

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(1) Return of the elected candidate: The returning officer, without delay after the sixth day that follows the completion of the validation of results or, if there is a recount, without delay after receiving the certificate referred to in section 308, shall declare elected the candidate who obtained the largest number of votes by completing the return of the writ in the prescribed form on the back of the writ.

(2) Equality of votes: If there is an equality of votes between the candidates with the largest number of votes, the returning officer shall indicate that on the return of the writ.