PowerPoint 4: Political Parties

Political Beliefs People develop different opinions about society and how things should be run in their community, province and/or country. A political ideology is a group of shared beliefs or principles about how society and government should work.

What do YOU believe? Do you agree or disagree with the following statements? The government should be small and provide fewer services so we do not have to pay a lot in taxes. Companies that pollute our air and water should suffer consequences. Tradition is a more important than change in our society. Canada should give more money and aid to poorer countries.

What is a political party? A political party is an organized group of people who share similar political beliefs and goals. Parties are made up of ‘members’ from the public. Party members work together to achieve power through an election and try to accomplish their goals. Each party also selects a leader, usually through a leadership contest.

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

What is a party platform? A party platform explains the party’s ideas to deal with major issues and how to make improvements. While all political parties may agree that education is important, they may have different ideas about how to improve the system and the steps that should be taken. During elections, parties share their platform through announcements, advertising and events, and try to attract support from voters.

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 because they had 166 out of 308 legislative seats.

2011 Federal Election Results Political PartyCandidates Elected Conservative Party of Canada166 New Democratic Party103 Liberal Party of Canada34 Bloc Québécois4 Green Party of Canada1 Other affiliations0

2011 Federal Student Vote Results Political PartyCandidates Elected Conservative Party of Canada130 New Democratic Party113 Liberal Party of Canada47 Bloc Québécois6 Green Party of Canada5 Other affiliations0

Final Thoughts Why are political parties important? Would you ever join a political party? Which political party do you like the most and why?