Elections in Canada are a giant race. Before the race can begin, runners must be chosen.

Candidates are chosen to represent each major party. They run for the party closest to their ideology. (Or, they may run as an independent or smaller party candidate).

This process occurs over 300 times, because each of Canada’s neighbourhoods (or ridings), needs a representative! Because they have more population, urban areas have smaller ridings. Each riding gets one seat in the House of Commons.

This process occurs over 300 times, because each of Canada’s neighbourhoods (or ridings), needs a representative! House of Commons 2014

This process occurs over 300 times, because each of Canada’s neighbourhoods (or ridings), needs a representative! House of Commons 2007

This process occurs over 300 times, because each of Canada’s neighbourhoods (or ridings), needs a representative! House of Commons 2005

This process occurs over 300 times, because each of Canada’s neighbourhoods (or ridings), needs a representative! House of Commons 2005

This process occurs over 300 times, because each of Canada’s neighbourhoods (or ridings), needs a representative! House of Commons 2005

Voters visit a voting station, called a poll. They pick the candidate they like the very best. Sometimes they vote according to their ideology. Sometimes they vote strategically.

The ballot looks like this:

The ballot looks like this:

The votes are counted. The person with the most votes wins. Under our system, even finishing in a close second is not good enough.

The votes are counted. The person with the most votes wins. Under our system, even finishing in a close second is not good enough.

Each seat represents one neighbourhood in Canada The winners fly to Ottawa (federal government) or Victoria (provincial government) & sit in the House of Commons or Legislature. Each seat represents one neighbourhood in Canada

The winners fly to Ottawa (federal government) or Victoria (provincial government) & sit in the House of Commons or Legislature. Each seat in the Legislative Assembly represents one neighbourhood in BC

The Opposition sits on the other side. The winners fly to Ottawa (federal government) or Victoria (provincial government) & sit in the House of Commons or Legislature.  Traditionally, the Prime Minister sits on one side of the room, surrounded by his most important ministers. The Opposition sits on the other side.

Who is the government, who is the Opposition? House of Commons 2007

This system is known as FIRST PAST THE POST (FPTP)

Read the article in your booklet called “yes to proportional representation” for criticisms of FIRST PAST THE POST In response to the perceived weaknesses of FPTP, some think we should create a new system called PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION.