We  elect  people  to  the  House of Commons  and  to  provincial legislatures to represent our interests. In Canada, as well as  in the  provinces,  any person who is entitled  to  vote  can  be  a candidate for  election to  Parliament  or  to a provincial legislative  assembly.  Membership to a political  party  is  not necessary, but it is not very easy for independent candidates  to win  elections.  The candidate receiving the  largest  number  of votes in each riding is declared elected. In our system the votes for all other candidates are not represented in our legislatures.
At sittings of Parliament, Members oversee the  activities  of government   and  represent  the   interests   of   their constituents.