1. Create Your Own Political Party
Party Platform and Campaigning (Day 1 & 2)

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

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

5. Review: Political Spectrum
This is 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. What about Canada? * 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. Count up the amount of “yes” and “no” answers
Count up the amount of “yes” and “no” answers. For each “no” you will place your self one step toward the left. For each “yes”, you will move one step toward the right. For example, if you answered 6 “no” and 4 “yes” you would place yourself “2” on the left.
Once done, come up here and write your name on the political spectrum.
Left Wing
Centre
Right Wing
Students will be put into two groups to begin the election process

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. Activity: Create Your Party Platform
Remember, this is the key to your party’s success!
In order to convince your fellow peers to choose your leadership, your party must be passionate about your ideas and beliefs
Task: Begin by choosing the positions for your party (see handout). The you will create a party platform that outlines your beliefs on the following categories
Tip: Visit the websites of Conservative, Liberals, NDP, etc., to see how they formulate their stances!

10. Campaigning
Day 2

11. The Election Process
Canada is divided up into 308 areas called ridings
Number of ridings assigned to provinces and territories is based on population size
Each riding has to elect 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

12. 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

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
This indicates that the government can no longer govern and must seek mandate from the people
1963 PM Diefenbaker’s defence policies were defeated
Or if government party gets new leader
Mandate- support given to a political party or government by the electors

14. 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
START DAY 2

15. Cost of 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

16. 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

17. 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.

18. Conservative Party of Canada

19. Liberal Party of Canada

20. Activity: Create Your Own Campaign
Now it is time to make your voice heard!
Your party is responsible for creating your own political campaign
There are no limits in what you do to get your platform out there but you may not PERSONALLY attack another student in any way (verbally, physically or emotionally) – this would be a form of bullying and that is not tolerated
Keep your campaign professional and respectful
You can do posters, commercials, pamphlets, bring treats, etc.
Think about going around to the classes with a short speech to “advertise” your ideas and answer questions
You have the class to create and tomorrow we will put everything up and you will be given time to speak to the classes