# How Many MPs Are in the House of Commons? — 343 Explained
Figures last verified: 2026-11-01; may change after electoral redistribution. Source: Elections Canada.
The House of Commons has 343 seats for elected Members of Parliament (MPs). Vacancies can mean fewer current sitting MPs. The House is the most powerful chamber of Canadian Parliament — it controls government spending, the Prime Minister sits there, and most laws start there. This guide explains how MPs are elected, how seats are distributed, and what the citizenship test asks.
The number — and what it means
The current House of Commons has 343 seats. The number is set by Parliament itself and is reviewed every 10 years after the census. The latest redistribution concluded in September 2023, according to Elections Canada.
Each MP represents a riding — also called an electoral district. There are 343 ridings, one per MP.
How MPs are elected
MPs are elected by Canadian citizens 18 and older using a system called first-past-the-post:
- In each riding, voters choose one candidate.
- The candidate with the most votes wins — even if they did not get a majority.
- The party with the most MPs forms the government.
- The leader of that party becomes the Prime Minister.
If no party wins at least 172 of the 343 seats, no party has a majority. A minority government must rely on support from MPs from other parties to pass laws.
Seat distribution by province
Seats are distributed roughly by population, but every province is guaranteed a minimum based on its 1985 seat count and its number of senators. Approximate breakdown:
| Province / Territory | Seats |
|---|---|
| Ontario | 122 |
| Quebec | 78 |
| British Columbia | 43 |
| Alberta | 37 |
| Manitoba | 14 |
| Saskatchewan | 14 |
| Nova Scotia | 11 |
| New Brunswick | 10 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 7 |
| Prince Edward Island | 4 |
| Yukon | 1 |
| Northwest Territories | 1 |
| Nunavut | 1 |
| Total | 343 |
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How long MPs serve
MPs serve until the next election. By the Canada Elections Act, federal elections happen at least every 4 years on the third Monday in October, but the Prime Minister can ask the Governor General to dissolve Parliament earlier. The Constitution caps the maximum life of a Parliament at 5 years.
What MPs do
MPs:
- Vote on laws in the House of Commons
- Question the government during Question Period
- Sit on committees that study bills and issues
- Represent their riding — help constituents with federal services and concerns
The Prime Minister and Cabinet ministers are also MPs (or, very rarely, senators) — see What Is the Cabinet in Canada?.
What the test asks
Common citizenship-test questions:
- How many MPs are in the House of Commons? *(343)*
- How are MPs chosen? *(Elected by Canadian citizens)*
- What is a riding? *(An electoral district — see What Is a Riding in Canada?)*
- How does a federal election work? *(First-past-the-post — see How Does a Canadian Federal Election Work?)*
Practice the actual citizenship test
Lock in the 343 number and the rest of the parliamentary facts. Try our free practice test — it asks this question in the same format you will see on test day.
Test yourself: 3 practice questions on this topic
Discover Canada chapter: How Canadians Govern Themselves
1. What are the three parts of Parliament?
- The Sovereign, Senate, and House of Commons
- Cabinet, Senate, and PM
- Federal, provincial, municipal
- Executive, Legislative, Judicial
Show answer
Answer: A. The Sovereign, Senate, and House of Commons
Parliament consists of the Sovereign (represented by the Governor General), the appointed Senate, and the elected House of Commons.
Discover Canada chapter: How Canadians Govern Themselves
2. What is the role of the Speaker of the House of Commons?
- Lead the governing party
- Preside over debates impartially in the House of Commons
- Run the Cabinet
- Sign new laws
Show answer
Answer: B. Preside over debates impartially in the House of Commons
The Speaker of the House presides over Commons debates impartially, ensures rules are followed, and represents the House. Elected by MPs themselves.
Discover Canada chapter: How Canadians Govern Themselves
3. How are senators chosen?
- Elected by the people
- Appointed by the Governor General on advice of the PM
- Chosen by provincial governments
- Selected by the Supreme Court
Show answer
Answer: B. Appointed by the Governor General on advice of the PM
Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister and serve until age 75.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1How many MPs sit in the House of Commons?
343. Each represents a single riding (electoral district). The number is reviewed and adjusted after each 10-year census so seats reflect Canada's population.
2How are MPs chosen?
Directly elected by Canadian citizens 18 and older at federal elections. Each riding holds one election; whoever gets the most votes wins, even without a majority. This is called first-past-the-post.
3How long does an MP serve?
Until the next federal election. By law, federal elections happen at least every 5 years, but the Prime Minister can ask the Governor General to call one sooner.
4Is the Prime Minister an MP?
Yes. The PM must be a member of the House of Commons. By convention, the PM is the leader of the party that wins the most seats in the most recent election.
5Is this on the citizenship test?
Yes — knowing the House of Commons has 343 MPs and that they are elected (not appointed) is one of the most common test questions on Parliament.