Canada will hold a general election on October 14th, 2008.
The country's Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, has decided this. He asked the Governor General (the Queen's representative) to dissolve Parliament.
Canadian voters do not elect the Prime Minister directly. They vote for a Member of Parliament for their federal district (called a "riding").
The political party with the largest number of Members of Parliament forms the federal government. Its leader becomes Prime Minister.
There are 304 ridings in the country. Elections are held at least once every five years.
To read a voting guide in easy English, click here.
