In response to an invitation from the Canadian Delegation to the OSCE, ODIHR deployed an election assessment mission on 14 January for the 23 January general elections in Canada.

Headed by Vadim Zhdanovich of Russia, OSCE/ODIHR Senior Election Adviser (Russian Federation), the mission consisted of 10 election experts from eight OSCE participating States. In addition to experts based in Ottawa, the mission deployed teams to Edmonton, Montreal and Toronto.

According to the mission's final report: "Canada has a long-standing tradition of democratic elections, and the 23 January 2006 general election was conducted in keeping with this tradition. It demonstrated the credibility of the election process in Canada. The process could be characterized as transparent and accountable, and there is established public confidence in the conduct of elections. Voter turnout was reported at 64.9 per cent.

"The campaign took place in an open atmosphere and permitted an overall fair electoral competition. A substantial number of parties and candidates registered and participated in the elections without impediment, offering voters a wide and genuine choice in a competitive political environment. Public and private media covered the elections widely and provided voters with a broad range of views and information in an equitable manner."