1. Socials 11 18+ ONLY! – THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM IN CANADA

2.  Admin/Current Events  2011 election results  Critical question  Group research work  U-Shaped debate  Wrap-Up SHAPE OF THE CLASS

3. 2011 ELECTION RESULTS Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

4.  Conservatives – 166 seats (39% of popular vote)  NDP – 103 seats (30% of popular vote)  Liberals – 34 seats (18% of popular vote)  Bloc – 4 seats (6% of popular vote)  Greens – 1 seat (4% of popular vote)  Conservatives – 53% of the seats in Parliament  NDP – 33% of the seats  Liberals – 11%  Bloc – 0.01% of the seats  Greens – 0.003% of the seats THE NUMBERS

5.  How do we elect governments in Canada?  Is there another way?  Which is the “best” or “fairest” way to elect a government? CRITICAL QUESTION

6.  Use what you have been given or what you can find on your own to prepare a presentation to the class. Ask questions like; 1.What are the key components of this system? 2.What is being represented (popular vote, regions, etc.) 3.Is this being used successfully anywhere in the world? 4.What are the pros? 5.What are the cons? ELECTORAL SYSTEM RESEARCH

7.  http://www.electoral- reform.org.uk/voting-systems/ ELECTORALREFORM.UK

8.  We are having a debate on the question, “Should Canada go through with electoral reform?”  Write a quick paragraph on your opinion as it stands now.  Set up the room in a semi-circle. This side is “strongly agree” and this side is “strongly disagree.”  You can move around when someone says something you agree or disagree with.  Now that we’re done, add to your paragraph. Have you changed your opinion? Why or why not? U-SHAPED DEBATE

9.  First-past-the-post, pros and cons  Alternate systems have problems as well  What’s best?  Hand in your debate paragraph.  Your homework is to prepare THREE questions for our guest. They will be handed in regardless of whether you ask them or not.  Have a great weekend! WRAP-UP