Political Parties Civics

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 LeftRight Generalist Beliefs, Values, Policies 1.Universal Social Programs 2.Rehabilitation of Criminals 3.Government involved in economy 4.Many civil and moral liberties (freedoms) 5.Reason and science 6.Pacifism 7.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 economy 4.To keep and maintain traditional moral liberties (freedoms) 5.Tradition / religion 6.nationalism 7.Low taxes *

Federal Parties in Canada  We have 3 main federal political parties: Progressive Conservative (PC) - blue (Stephen Harper) Liberals -red (Justin Trudeau) New Democratic Party (NDP)-orange (Thomas Mulcair) Green Party (Elizabeth May) Also have: Block Quebecois (Quebec only)***

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

2011 Election Results Political AffiliationElected MembersNumber of Candidates Number of Valid Votes Percentage of Popular Vote Conservative Party of Canada ,835, % New Democratic Party ,512, % Liberal Party of Canada343082,783, % Bloc Québécois475891,4256.1% Green Party of Canada ,0953.9% Other285129,7031% Total3081,58714,723,980100% Government: 166 Opposition: 142 Majority: 24

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”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

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 Conservatives need an opposition party to support their budget…….Outcome….  Vote of Non-Confidence When the opposition parties vote against the Government