1. Political Parties
Civics ESL

2. 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

3. 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

4. Political Parties in Canada
Political parties are active at the:
Federal level
Provincial level
Municipal government does NOT have political parties.

5. Blend of State and individual control
Political Spectrum
A tool used to help identify your political position (how you believe government ought to behave)
Blend of State and individual control
State control
Individual control

6. Political Spectrum continued
Pannell
FEDERAL *
Left
Right
Generalist Beliefs, Values, Policies
Universal Social Programs
Rehabilitation of Criminals
Government involved in economy
Many civil and moral liberties (freedoms)
Reason and science
Pacifism
High taxes to pay for social programs
Generalist Beliefs, Values, Policies
Self-reliance (look after yourself)
Retribution (eye for an eye)
Free market economy
To keep and maintain traditional moral liberties (freedoms)
Tradition / religion
nationalism
Low taxes

7. 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)

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. Minimum 2 televised debates between party leaders – one French, one English
TV debates now very prepared – practice phrases, potential answers to questions, dress rehearsals
Debates

19. 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

20. 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

21. Results of Last Federal Election (Jan. 23, 2006) Source: Mapleleafweb
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
Green Party of Canada
4.5% --
Independent
0.1 % 1

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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:
Have their idea put to a vote and pass or,
Defeat a vote put forward by the Government
Example: Budget vote Conservatives need an opposition party to support their budget…….Outcome….
Vote of Non-Confidence
When the opposition parties vote against the Government