Canadian Politics

The Political SpectrumLeft (NDP, far left is Communist)Lots of government involvementSocial Welfare (Socialism)

Centre (Liberal)Basic social welfareSmall government to encourage businessFocus on individual rights and freedoms

Right (Conservatives, far right is fascist)Very little government involvementLaws dictated by moral code

Division of powers

• Split between federal Provincial and Municipal• Generally bigger the project the higher the

parliament• Municipal – roads and small laws• Provincial – education• Federal – defense

Elections

• Done for all levels of government• People vote for own area• Federal – Constituency; Provincial – riding;

Municipal – district• Use First Past the Post• Proportional Representation is alternative• Political or voter apathy (turnout usually

around 50% for fed and lower for others)

Political Parties

• NDP• Liberal• Conservative• Bloc Quebecois• Greens• Single issue parties• Independents

Government

• Separate for federal and provincial• MPs (fed) or MLAs (Prov) sit in House of Commons• Government• Official Opposition• Opposition• Can be Majority or Minority Government or even

coalition• Leader of government is Prime Minister (Federal)

or Premier (Provincial)

Branches of Government

• Executive Branch (Cabinet – makes decisions)• Legislative Branch (Parliament – House of

Commons and senate - debates and approves bills)

• Judicial Branch (Judges – checks legality and can force changes)

• Media (4th estate) – is it too concentrated?

Making laws – Stage 1

• Private Member or public bills• Public comes from Government - much more

common• 1st reading – introduction• 2nd reading – debate and suggested

ammendments• Committee – debate detail and suggest changes• 3rd reading – debate and vote in HoC

Making laws – Stage 2

• Passed to appointed Senate• Debate and can suggest amendments and block• Sent back to parliament if changed• Once approved goes to Governor General for

approval• GG is Queen’s representative and signs bill into

law• Order-in-council – PM can bypass parliament –

used for government appointments

Public Influence

• Lobbyists (companies or organisations ask and suggest changes – too powerful?)

• Petition• Protests/demonstrations• Civil disobedience• Political violence• Strikes (organised by unions)