Elections in Canada

Voter Turnout 2015 Federal Election – 68% 2013 BC Election – 57% (2017 est. 60%) 2011 West Van Municipal election – 24.5% Voter Apathy is increasing.

Elections Canada

Some ideas? 2014 Scottish referendum – 84.5% Australia (Mandatory voting) http://www.idea.int/vt/countryview.cfm?CountryCode=AU

Representation by Population Look at the electoral map of BC. What do you notice about where the ridings are? http://elections.bc.ca/docs/map/redis17/Provincial_ED_Map_2017_28x36.pdf An area is split up according to population and not by geographical size. This is why there are so many ridings in the lower mainland. Where do you think the most constituencies in federal Canada would be?

The Stages of an election 1. Dissolution of Parliament/Election Called End of 4 year term Defeated on vote of confidence 2. Nomination and selection Each party chooses a candidate in each riding Candidates have to pay $200 3. Campaigning Canvassing and debates

The Stages of an Election 4. Voting Any Canadian Citizen 18 years or older Advanced polling Can register on the day using ID 5. Tabulating Votes are counted from each station Added together and a winner is declared

First Past the Post vs Proportional Representation Each riding or constituency is it’s own competition Party that wins most constituency wins the election Proportional Representation Share of votes is share of seats Representative chosen from party lists

Popular vote vs seats

2017 BC Election

Advantages of FPTP and PR Tends to lead to majority government which gives stability Government can pass laws easily so can enact their platforms Clear connection between constituent and local representative PR More accurately reflects popular vote Ensures all votes and voters are equally important Encourages collaboration between parties

Disadvantages of FPTP and PR Focus on swing seat and swing voters Discounts votes in safe seats Majority of power without majority of support PR Lose local connection – cannot vote for individual candidate More likely to get minority government and instability Give balance of power to smaller parties

Other Options? All of these include a mixture of FPTP and PR The main ones under consideration are: Ranked Ballot (Preferential Voting) STV (Single Transferable vote) Mixed Member Proportional Click here for more details