The Political Spectrum Your views on economic, social, and religious issues has a direct impact upon the Political Party that you wish to support. For instance, Your views on economic, social, and religious issues has a direct impact upon the Political Party that you wish to support. For instance, Should the government censor the arts? Should the government censor the arts? Should Marijuana be de-criminalized? Should Marijuana be de-criminalized? Should all Canadians receive equal access to health care? Should all Canadians receive equal access to health care? Should taxes be raised to pay for much needed social programs? Should taxes be raised to pay for much needed social programs? Should money be redistributed from the richer provinces to the poorer ones? Should money be redistributed from the richer provinces to the poorer ones? Should same sex marriages be recognized? Should same sex marriages be recognized?

The Political Spectrum Anti-Globalization Rally Supporter of the Gun Lobby

The Political Spectrum: Right Wing, Left Wing and Moderates When people describe their political views, they often refer to themselves as “Right wing” (Conservative), “left wing” (Liberal), or “moderate” (in the middle). When people describe their political views, they often refer to themselves as “Right wing” (Conservative), “left wing” (Liberal), or “moderate” (in the middle). How you place yourself on the Political Spectrum is based on your responses to Political issues. How you place yourself on the Political Spectrum is based on your responses to Political issues. How do you know what you are? How do you know what you are?

Liberals Liberals tend to hold the following Political Views: Liberals tend to hold the following Political Views: Government should be heavily involved in the lives of citizens. Government should be heavily involved in the lives of citizens. Citizens should have equal opportunities through law (e.g. affirmative action programs) Citizens should have equal opportunities through law (e.g. affirmative action programs) Strong support of social programs such as welfare, medicare and pensions Strong support of social programs such as welfare, medicare and pensions Higher taxes to pay for social programs Higher taxes to pay for social programs A small military A small military

Conservatives Conservatives tend to hold the following views: Conservatives tend to hold the following views: There should be minimal government intervention in the economy There should be minimal government intervention in the economy Citizens should take greater responsibility for themselves Citizens should take greater responsibility for themselves They believe in traditional values (e.g. religious views on social issues) They believe in traditional values (e.g. religious views on social issues) Lower taxes to increase global competitiveness Lower taxes to increase global competitiveness There should be a strong military There should be a strong military

The Political Spectrum

Place the Following on the Spectrum: Right, Left or Moderate?

Political Spectrum to Political Parties Where you position yourself on the political spectrum has a direct impact on your choice of political party. Where you position yourself on the political spectrum has a direct impact on your choice of political party. In Canada, “right wingers” tend to vote for the Conservative Party, “left wingers” the NDP and “moderates” the Liberal Party. In Canada, “right wingers” tend to vote for the Conservative Party, “left wingers” the NDP and “moderates” the Liberal Party. Question: Would “liberals” vote for the Liberal Party? Question: Would “liberals” vote for the Liberal Party?

Political Party Platforms Each political party has their own set of policies on a number of different issues: Each political party has their own set of policies on a number of different issues: Health Care Health Care Taxes/Government Spending Taxes/Government Spending Social Welfare Programs Social Welfare Programs Social Issues (e.g.Same Sex Marriage) Social Issues (e.g.Same Sex Marriage) Job Creation/ Trade Initiatives (e.g. Globalization, NAFTA) Job Creation/ Trade Initiatives (e.g. Globalization, NAFTA) The Military (e.g. the War in Afghanistan) The Military (e.g. the War in Afghanistan)

Political Party Platforms When a political party presents their ideas before the electorate on a series of issues, they are said to be presenting their Political Platform. When a political party presents their ideas before the electorate on a series of issues, they are said to be presenting their Political Platform. How do you win an election? How do you win an election? By presenting a political platform that represents the views of the majority of the electorate (Canadians, Ontarians, Georgetownians?, etc) By presenting a political platform that represents the views of the majority of the electorate (Canadians, Ontarians, Georgetownians?, etc) Who would you vote for?

Political Party Platforms The Conservative Party’s Platform When you write the Political Platform You want to make sure that the policies Enclosed reflect the prevailing interests Of the majority of Canadians. A strong platform can win an election! What else do you need for electoral success?

How do Political Parties decide which policies to adopt? There are many different issues that Political Parties need to deal with: There are many different issues that Political Parties need to deal with: Health Care Health Care The Environment The Environment Taxes/Government Spending Taxes/Government Spending Social Welfare Programs Social Welfare Programs Social Issues (e.g.Same Sex Marriage) Social Issues (e.g.Same Sex Marriage) Job Creation/ Trade Initiatives (e.g. Globalization) Job Creation/ Trade Initiatives (e.g. Globalization) The Military (e.g. the War in Afghanistan). The Military (e.g. the War in Afghanistan). What should they do? What should they do? Trade issues are a hot topic!

Political Parties have to Address many issues in their Party Platforms Health Care The Environment

Political Parties have to Address many issues Funding for Education Legal Issues

Political Parties have to Address many issues Social Welfare issues Taxiation: Taxes are too high!!!

Political Parties have to Address many issues Military spending is always an important issue. For some, spending on infrastructure and Healthcare is more important than funding Canada’s military. Military spending is always an important issue. For some, spending on infrastructure and Healthcare is more important than funding Canada’s military. For others, Canada’s lack of sufficient military spending has been an international embarrassment. For others, Canada’s lack of sufficient military spending has been an international embarrassment.

Canada has extended its mission In Afghanistan until Did Stephen Harper have a choice When his party adopted this policy Option?

Canada’s Political Parties Based on their Party Platforms, who would you vote for? Based on their Party Platforms, who would you vote for?

Remember: They want your Vote! Although you need to be 18 to vote in Canadian Federal elections, the main political parties care about your opinions. Although you need to be 18 to vote in Canadian Federal elections, the main political parties care about your opinions. Why is this so? Why are the “young liberals” so important to the Liberal Party of Canada? Why is this so? Why are the “young liberals” so important to the Liberal Party of Canada? What role do you want to play in politics? Do you want to join a political party? Explain your answer! What role do you want to play in politics? Do you want to join a political party? Explain your answer! The Liberal “Youth Wing”