1. Lesson 4: Political Parties

2. What is a political party? A political party is a group of like-minded individuals with similar goals for their country, province or territory and beliefs about how government should work. Party members work together to achieve power through an election, form government and create meaningful political change. There are more than 20 registered political parties in Ontario.

3. Ontario Political Parties Canadians’ Choice Party Pauper Party Communist Party People First Republic Party Family Coalition Party Progressive Conservative Party Freedom Party Reform Party Green Party Socialist Party Libertarian Party The Only Party Liberal Party The Peoples Political Party New Democratic Party Vegan Environmental Party Northern Ontario Heritage Party Provincial Confederation of Regions Party Party for Human Rights Party for People with Special Needs

4. What is a party platform? A party platform outlines the party’s ideas and strategies to deal with major issues. While all the political parties may agree that education is a priority, they may have different ideas about how to improve the system or which aspects to focus on. Parties announce their platform through announcements, advertising and events, and share their ideas to attract support from voters.

5. How does a party form government? The party that elects the most number of representatives or wins the most seats usually forms government. At the provincial or territorial level, the leader of the party that forms government becomes the premier. After the 2011 provincial election, the Ontario Liberals formed government with 53 out of 107 legislative seats.

6. Final Thoughts Why are political parties important? Would you ever join a political party? Which political party do you like the most?