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Political Parties Civics ESL.

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Presentation on theme: "Political Parties Civics ESL."— Presentation transcript:

1 Political Parties Civics ESL

2 What is a political party?
An organized group of people who share similar ideas about the way in which government should operate What government should focus on What government should do How government should do it

3 Political Party Like a team
Provides a way for citizens to participate in government The people that make up a political party are politically aligned at similar points on the political spectrum Liberal Party link Conservative Party link NDP link

4 Political Parties in Canada
Political parties are active at the: Federal level Provincial level Municipal government does NOT have political parties.

5 Blend of State and individual control
Political Spectrum A tool used to help identify your political position (how you believe government ought to behave) Blend of State and individual control State control Individual control

6 Political Spectrum continued
Pannell FEDERAL * Left Right Generalist Beliefs, Values, Policies Universal Social Programs Rehabilitation of Criminals Government involved in economy Many civil and moral liberties (freedoms) Reason and science Pacifism High taxes to pay for social programs Generalist Beliefs, Values, Policies Self-reliance (look after yourself) Retribution (eye for an eye) Free market economy To keep and maintain traditional moral liberties (freedoms) Tradition / religion nationalism Low taxes

7 Federal Parties in Canada
We have 3 main federal political parties: Conservative - blue (Stephen Harper) Liberals –red (Michael Ignatief) New Democratic Party (NDP)-Orange (Jack Layton) Also have: Block Quebecois (Quebec only)*** Green Party (Yet to win a seat in the house of Commons)

8 Party Platforms Each party has a party platform - package of ideas and policies that they believe are best for Canadians The party platform states the party’s position on various issues as: health care, foreign policy, unemployment, the environment. What the party will focus on (if elected government) What the party will do (if elected government) How the party will do it (if elected government) This position is consistent with the party’s position on the political spectrum.

9 The Election Process Canada is divided up into 308 areas called ridings Each riding has to elects one person to represent it in the House of Commons – becoming the MP Within each riding there is a race between those candidates hoping to win the most votes The Candidate with the most votes wins the seat for their riding They become the MP for that riding

10 The Vote All Canadian Citizens 18 years and older can vote
At a poling station near your home or work School Community centre Voting for your MP. The person who will represent you in parliament.

11 The Election Process When an election is called each party selects a member from their party to run in each riding The winner of the most votes in a riding gets the seat in the house of commons and becomes the MP for that riding The party with the most seats becomes the government The party with the second most seats becomes the opposition

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13 An Election is Called Timing
The Governor General calls the election, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister Must be called every 5 years (maximum – Constitution) Also if government loses important vote in House of Commons Budget vote 2011 Or if government party gets new leader

14 Who Can Vote? must be Canadian citizen
armed forces, prisoners, Canadians overseas may also vote by special ballot (mail-in) advance polls – for election workers/volunteers and anyone who may be away/busy on election day law says you must have 4 hours to vote

15 The Election Campaign Federal campaign must be minimum 36 days
Used to be longer Travel time across country Now by plane, TV and other media Provincial campaigns usually shorter

16 Cost of a Campaign Elections Canada spends about $300 million on federal election Only the following may contribute to political parties: Citizens or permanent residents of Canada Businesses or associations in Canada Unions in Canada

17 Campaign Strategy Local strategies in a particular riding:
Door to door, signs, appear at clubs, schools, events Sometimes has more to do with personality than party National or Provincial strategy Focuses on leader and party policy Leader’s tour is watched and judged by press and public

18 Minimum 2 televised debates between party leaders – one French, one English
TV debates now very prepared – practice phrases, potential answers to questions, dress rehearsals Debates

19 Advertising All parties pay for advertising on TV and radio
Negative ads show weaknesses in opponents Positive ads show strength of party’s own policies Third party ads are run by businesses, interest groups or individuals who support certain candidates or parties. ads

20 Canada’s Election Process
The idea that the person who wins the most votes in a riding takes the seat is called “First-Past-The-Post” That seat will usually belong to 1 or the 3 main political parties Election day is like 308 separate races in Canada. 1 race per riding / region. The winner of each race becomes an MP, totally 308 MPs This occurs at both the provincial and federal level

21 Results of Last Federal Election (Jan. 23, 2006) Source: Mapleleafweb
Results of Last Federal Election (Jan. 23, 2006) Source: Mapleleafweb.com Political Parties Popular Vote Seats Won Status Conservative Party of Canada 36.2% 125 Minority Government Liberal Party of Canada 30.2% 103 Official Opposition Bloc Quebecois 10.5% 51 Minor Party New Democratic Party 17.5% 29 Green Party of Canada 4.5% -- Independent 0.1 % 1

22 Forming the Government
The party with the most seats becomes the government That party’s leader becomes the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister then selects his Cabinet Ministers – those members of the government responsible for important files (Health, Environment, Finance, Defense…) Executive branch of government The other party(s) form the opposition

23 Majority Government The party that wins more than 50% (155) of the 308 seats. – Becomes the Government (majority) The Government makes decisions by having a vote in the House of Commons. When we have a Majority Government, because they have more than 50% of the 308 seats in the House of Commons they will always win any vote that goes through the House of Commons They have all the power to make the changes they want

24 Minority Government The party with the most seats, but less than 50% (155) of the (308) seats in the House of Commons – Becomes the Government (minority) Minority Governments have less power since those MPs who are part of the ‘Opposition’ can vote together and: Have their idea put to a vote and pass or, Defeat a vote put forward by the Government Example: Budget vote Conservatives need an opposition party to support their budget…….Outcome…. Vote of Non-Confidence When the opposition parties vote against the Government


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