The Citizen and Government

The Citizen Working to make positive change in your community The vote – your right and responsibility Influencing decisions – who do you call?

Choosing the Government Democratically elected government Voters have –Equal opportunity to elect representatives –Right to express views freely Elections –Eligible if 18 years old & Canadian citizen –Federal elections every 5 years –Provincial elections every 4-5 years –Municipal – every 3 years

Election Campaigns PM decides to call election, asks GG to dissolve Parliament –Usually near end of 5 year terms when polls indicate popularity if high or… –To test whether govt has support of the people Candidates are either members of a party or independents Volunteers –Answer phones –Distribute literature –Canvass for votes –Drive voters to polling stations –Raise money

Public Opinion Polls During election campaigns, public opinion on projected voting behavior is surveyed 15% budget spent on public polling –Ask cross section of population about their views, voting preferences, political leaders, issues & parties –Answers tabulated & given to campaign leaders to alter speeches for candidates to highlight issues important to voter –Some believe these affect the vote; therefore not allowed to be published in the 24 hours preceding an election

Election Day Polling stations are set up in every riding Schools &places of worship are often used as polling stations Names of eligible voters who have registered are on the list at each poll Polling officer crosses off each name as each individual votes Voting takes place in private behind a small screen and no campaign signs or literature are allowed at the polling stations (secret ballot)

The Electoral System When polls close, votes are counted by hand under close scrutiny Candidate with more votes than any other candidate is the winner (not the person with the majority of the vote – popular vote) First past the post system Simple and straightforward system Usually a clear winner Some advocate a change to proportional representation

Political Parties Most political candidates belong to a party Parties act to represent the views of Canadians in the decision making process Members of a party share a common set of beliefs – ideology The ideology provides the foundation for the party’s policies and decisions

Joining a Political Party Member of apolitical party can nominate and vote for the candidates who will run in their riding Must be 18 to join Why join? –To improve your nation, region & community –Support the ideology –Attracted to influence and power of politics Only 2% join political parties Many choose to bring about change through supporting NGOs

Influencing Government Contact MP or MLA to request information or intervention Contact public servants Write letters to newspaper editor Pressure groups & Lobbyists –Groups who seek to influence govt policies –Institutionalized – formal groups e.g.: Council of Canadians –Issue-oriented – temporary to accomplish specific aims

Applying Pressure How? –Research –Polls –Reports –Advice to ministries –Govt sometimes seeks group’s help Lobbyists – paid to represent the interests of a certain group to decision makers –May have hidden agenda –Funding? Public funding may be cut if lobbyists disagree with govt

Role of Mass Media TV, radio, newspapers & magazines Freedom of the press to express opinion, criticize govt or to question decisions, report opinion polls Media can influence govt & citizens’ attitudes towards it Protests that are news worthy get attention

Media Concentration Media ownership in Canada limited to a few large groups Limited sources of news – limits diversity and plurality

Civil Disobedience Civil disobedience is the act of intentionally breaking or refusing to keep laws one considers unjust Henry Thoreau “If the machinery of government is unjust, break the law. Let your life be counter friction to stop the machine.” Form of protest used by Gandhi, Martin Luther King Only warranted if there is significant harm from the law itself – must be willing to face consequences