Political PartiesCivics ESL

What is a political party? An organized group of people who share

similar ideas about the way in which government should operate

What government should focus on What government should do How government should do it

Political Party Like a team

Provides a way for citizens to participate in government

The people that make up a political party are politically aligned at similar points on the political spectrum

Liberal Party link

Conservative Party link

NDP link

Political Parties in Canada Political parties are active at the:

1. Federal level

2. Provincial level

Municipal government does NOT have political parties.

Political Spectrum A tool used to help identify your political position (how you

believe government ought to behave)

State control

Blend of State and individual

control Individual control

Political Spectrum continued

Left Right

PannellFEDERAL

Generalist Beliefs, Values, Policies

1. Universal Social Programs2. Rehabilitation of Criminals3. Government involved in economy4. Many civil and moral liberties

(freedoms)5. Reason and science6. Pacifism7. High taxes to pay for social

programs

Generalist Beliefs, Values, Policies

1. Self-reliance (look after yourself)2. Retribution (eye for an eye)3. Free market economy4. To keep and maintain traditional

moral liberties (freedoms)5. Tradition / religion6. nationalism7. Low taxes

*

Federal Parties in Canada We have 3 main federal political parties:

Conservative - blue (Stephen Harper) Liberals –red (Michael Ignatief) New Democratic Party (NDP)-Orange (Jack

Layton)

Also have: Block Quebecois (Quebec only)*** Green Party (Yet to win a seat in the house of

Commons)

Party Platforms Each party has a party platform - package of ideas and

policies that they believe are best for Canadians

The party platform states the party’s position on various issues as: health care, foreign policy, unemployment, the environment. What the party will focus on (if elected government) What the party will do (if elected government) How the party will do it (if elected government)

This position is consistent with the party’s position on the political spectrum.

The Election Process Canada is divided up into 308 areas called ridings

Each riding has to elects one person to represent it in the House of Commons – becoming the MP

Within each riding there is a race between those candidates hoping to win the most votes

The Candidate with the most votes wins the seat for their riding

They become the MP for that riding

The Vote All Canadian Citizens 18 years

and older can vote

At a poling station near your home or work School Community centre

Voting for your MP. The person who will represent you in parliament.

The Election Process

When an election is called each party selects a member from their party to run in each riding

The winner of the most votes in a riding gets the seat in the house of commons and becomes the MP for that riding

The party with the most seats becomes the government

The party with the second most seats becomes the opposition

An Election is Called

Timing The Governor General calls the election, on the

recommendation of the Prime Minister

Must be called every 5 years (maximum – Constitution) Also if government loses important vote in House of

Commons Budget vote 2011 Or if government party gets new leader

Who Can Vote?

must be Canadian citizen armed forces, prisoners, Canadians overseas

may also vote by special ballot (mail-in) advance polls – for election

workers/volunteers and anyone who may be away/busy on election day

law says you must have 4 hours to vote

The Election Campaign

Federal campaign must be minimum 36 days

Used to be longer Travel time across

country Now by plane, TV and

other media Provincial campaigns

usually shorter

Cost of a Campaign Elections Canada spends about $300 million on

federal election

Only the following may contribute to political parties: Citizens or permanent residents of Canada Businesses or associations in Canada

Unions in Canada

Campaign Strategy

Local strategies in a particular riding: Door to door, signs, appear

at clubs, schools, events Sometimes has more to do

with personality than party

National or Provincial strategy Focuses on leader and party

policy Leader’s tour is watched and

judged by press and public

Debates Minimum 2

televised debates between party leaders – one French, one English

TV debates now very prepared – practice phrases, potential answers to questions, dress rehearsals

Advertising

All parties pay for advertising on TV and radio Negative ads show weaknesses in opponents Positive ads show strength of party’s own policies Third party ads are run by businesses, interest

groups or individuals who support certain candidates or parties.

ads

Canada’s Election Process The idea that the person who wins the most votes in a riding

takes the seat is called “First-Past-The-Post”

That seat will usually belong to 1 or the 3 main political parties

Election day is like 308 separate races in Canada. 1 race per riding / region. The winner of each race becomes an MP, totally 308 MPs

This occurs at both the provincial and federal level

Results of Last Federal Election (Jan. 23, 2006) Source: Mapleleafweb.com

Political Parties

Popular

Vote

Seats Won Status

Conservative Party of Canada

36.2% 125 Minority Government

Liberal Party of Canada

30.2% 103 Official Opposition

Bloc Quebecois 10.5% 51 Minor Party

New Democratic Party

17.5% 29 Minor Party

Green Party of Canada

4.5% --

Independent 0.1 % 1

Forming the Government The party with the most seats becomes the

government

That party’s leader becomes the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister then selects his Cabinet Ministers –

those members of the government responsible for important files (Health, Environment, Finance, Defense…)

Executive branch of government

The other party(s) form the opposition

Majority Government The party that wins more than 50% (155) of the 308 seats. –

Becomes the Government (majority)

The Government makes decisions by having a vote in the House of Commons.

When we have a Majority Government, because they have more than 50% of the 308 seats in the House of Commons they will always win any vote that goes through the House of Commons

They have all the power to make the changes they want

Minority Government The party with the most seats, but less than 50% (155) of the (308) seats

in the House of Commons – Becomes the Government (minority)

Minority Governments have less power since those MPs who are part of the ‘Opposition’ can vote together and:

a) Have their idea put to a vote and pass or,b) Defeat a vote put forward by the Government

Example: Budget vote 2011. Conservatives need an opposition party to support their budget…….Outcome….

Vote of Non-Confidence When the opposition parties vote against the Government