The CEO is unique among them in that the mandate of Elections Canada includes a significant operational aspect-managing the delivery of federal elections, by-elections and referendums, and monitoring political entities rather than the government. The other agents of Parliament perform primarily a 'watchdog' function in overseeing the actions of the government of the day. The CEO also provides technical advice to committees, upon request, on legislation and any other issue a committee is studying. The CEO also appears from time to time before the Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs in the Senate and any other committee upon request. The CEO appears regularly before the House committee responsible for electoral matters-namely, the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs in the House of Commons.

The CEO communicates with the government through the designated Minister responsible for the Canada Elections Act (CEA), previously the President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs. The CEO also makes recommendations to Parliament on legislative changes that he considers beneficial. The CEO reports to Parliament on the administration of a general election, by-election or referendum and on planned spending and expenditures. The CEO serves a 10-year term and may be removed only for cause by the Governor General on joint address of the Senate and House of Commons. The CEO is appointed by resolution of the House of Commons.

The current CEO, Stéphane Perrault, was appointed on June 8, 2018. This independence flows from a range of provisions in the Canada Elections Act (CEA), notably those related to tenure of the position and the specific process for removal of the incumbent, accountability mechanisms and financial independence. The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Canada is an agent of Parliament who is directly responsible to that institution and independent from the government of the day. The Chief Electoral Officer and His Office – Overview of Elections Canada and the Federal Electoral System Briefing Book (October 2021) The Chief Electoral Officer The Chief Electoral Officer and His Office.Overview of Elections Canada and the Federal Electoral System Briefing Book.

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