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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