1. PowerPoint 4: Political Parties

2. What is a political ideology?
A political ideology is a set of shared ideas or beliefs about how politics and government should function.
Common ideologies include liberalism, conservatism, and socialism. Others include communism and fascism.

3. What is a political party?
A political party is a group of like-minded individuals with a shared vision and common political ideology.
Anyone above the required age can be a member of a political party — for most parties, that age is 14.
Party members work together to achieve power through an election, form government and create meaningful political change.
Each party also selects a leader, usually through a leadership contest or vote.

4. Federal Political Parties
There are 20 registered political parties in Canada.
Animal Alliance Environment Voters Party of Canada
Bloc Québécois
Canadian Action Party
Christian Heritage Party of Canada
Communist Party of Canada
Conservative Party of Canada
Democratic Advancement Party of Canada
Forces et Démocratie
Green Party of Canada
Liberal Party of Canada
Libertarian Party of Canada
Marijuana Party
Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada
New Democratic Party
Party for Accountability, Competency and Transparency
Pirate Party of Canada
Progressive Canadian Party
Rhinoceros Party
The Bridge Party of Canada
United Party of Canada

5. What is the political spectrum?
The political spectrum characterizes beliefs, values and priorities, and provides a framework in which to view and evaluate political parties and policies.
A linear spectrum is represented as a horizontal line, with parties on the left embracing social equality, bigger government and more services, and parties on the right favouring tradition, smaller government and lower taxes.

6. Political Spectrum Questions
Should the minimum wage be increased or decreased?
Should the government spend more or less on our armed forces?
Should wealthier people pay more or less in taxes?

7. What is a party platform?
A series of declared principles and policies on jurisdictional issues concerning government and the public.
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.
Political parties announce their platform through announcements, advertising and events, and share their ideas to attract support from voters.

8. 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 federal level, the leader of the party that forms government becomes the prime minister.
After the 2011 federal election, the Conservative Party formed government with 166 out of 308 legislative seats.

9. 2011 Federal Election Results
Political Party
Candidates Elected
Conservative Party of Canada
166
New Democratic Party
103
Liberal Party of Canada 34
Bloc Québécois 4
Green Party of Canada 1
Other affiliations 9

10. 2011 Federal Student Vote Results
Political Party
Candidates Elected
Conservative Party of Canada
130
New Democratic Party
113
Liberal Party of Canada 47
Bloc Québécois 6
Green Party of Canada 5
Other affiliations 10

11. Final Thoughts Why are political parties important?
What advantages and disadvantages are there to running for a party?
Would you ever join a political party? Why or why not?