3. Lead by Justin Trudeau Currently, one of the minority governments in the House of Commons. Supports individual freedom and the pursuit of = opportunity for all people Believes in the expansion of social programs (health care and education) Believes in the value of multiculturalism Is sympathetic to the hopes of French Canadians Supports more free trade (easier trade with other countries) In ‘the middle’ of Canada’s political spectrum

4. The Conservatives Lead by Stephen Harper Currently the majority government in Canada Supports a balance between a balanced budget and supporting social programs Believes in the = of all Canadians and in the freedom of the individual with limited government interference Supports both English and French as the official languages of Canada Supports a strong military Supports free enterprise and trade Believes in privatization (the process of selling government owned companies or assets to private ownership) On ‘the right’ of Canada’s political spectrum

5. Current Leader: Thomas Mulcair Believes that the government should intervene in certain important areas of economy Is against the privatization of government- run corporations Favours welfare measures (such as EI and Welfare payments). Believes the government should pay for health care and education and that all Canadians should have = access to these services regardless of their ability to pay. Believes in peacekeeping and diplomacy not military might On ‘the left’ of Canada’s political spectrum

6. Lead by Mario Beaulieu Believe that Quebec should be a sovereign (independent) state and separate from the rest of Canada

7. Lead by Elizabeth May Believe that more people should have knowledge of environmental impacts Higher taxes for pollution / corporations Non-violence – no military

8. The MAJORITY Government = When a political party wins more than ½ the seats in the House of Commons during an election. WHAT WE HAVE NOW The MINORITY Government(s) = When a political party elects more members to Parliament than any other party, but not more than all the other parties added together. It has to rely on the votes of members in other parties to pass its legislation (laws and bills).

9. Blue - Conservative (including Speaker Andrew Scheer) – 162 seatsConservative Orange - NDP – 97 seatsNDP Red – Liberal – 37 seatsLiberal Light Blue - Bloc Québécois – 4 seatsBloc Québécois Green - Green Party – 2 seatsGreen Party White/Grey – Independent or vacant

10. In a minority government, opposition parties (the lions) can unite and vote out the party in power in the office (the hippo). This could not occur in a majority government because one part owns ½ the votes. Often minority governments are forced to work together and form alliances to get votes passed. A majority government can put forward new laws to be passed without fear of being forced into a new election

11. COALITION GOVERNMENT There is no party that has a majority of seats. Two or more parties must join together to form a government. A leader is chosen to be Prime Minister.