How Do Governments Make Policy?Chapter Four

Important Dates

THURSDAY, APRIL 12TH

Civics Exam

FRIDAY, APRIL 13TH Exam Review Day/Relax Day/Movie Day

Final Assignment due by midnight

MONDAY, APRIL 16TH

Start of Careers Section

Final AssignmentGetting to know one of Canada’s mainstream political parties: Conservatives, Liberals, NDPs, or Green Party

Individual

Due: Friday, April 13th by midnight

Submitted electronically to mrsbiega@hotmail.com

Much of the information can be take directly off of the party’s official website

No Wikipedia! Thanks.

What do you think the student council should do to get their voice heard?

Platforms and Policies

Policy - is the plan of action of a political party or government to achieve certain goals.

Platform - This is the group of policies it promises to pursue if elected.

Citizens then vote for the candidates and parties that best represent their own views and wants. Then when the party becomes government, it’s expected to turn policies into laws.

LeadersPierre Trudeau

On his second term as PM, won fewer seats than first

Why?Trudeau had “a conversation with Canadians”

Did not have cheers and rallies

Adolf Hitler

Was a charismatic speakerInspired thousands at rallies with love of country and fears

Mein Kampf, Hitler’s autobiography, sold 1.5 million copies in 1933; it outlined the kind of Germany he would create if he came to power – doesn’t look like many actually read it…

IssuesThere are usually a few key issues parties try to address in their political platforms in modern day elections.

Healthcare Economy Social Justice Environment

Taxes are also a key point to elections, however, taxes have an influence on all of the above four issues. In 2004, heath care, corruption in government, taxes, social welfare programs, and the environment were the most important issues to Canadians.

PM Martin and sponsorship scandal

Discussion

What would be some important issues to you now? To you in the future? Why?

How Are Policies Developed?

Our government collects and spends billions of tax dollars each year. How this money gets spent and collected depends on Government policy. Government polices fall in several areas:

social (heath and education) financial (taxes, money supply) international (defense, trade, foreign relations) public works (transportation, construction) resources (fisheries, agriculture, energy) legal (justice)

Policies

Polices are managed by different departments or ministries.

Policies deal with the wants and needs of society.

Large numbers of people are consulted for opinions as facts and information are collected.

Policies have consequences, good and bad, long term and short term.

http://www.conservative.ca/media/ConservativePlatform2011_ENs.pdf

**hint hint** This is something you’d use for your project!

Major Influences on Policy

Governments and political parties create policies around their core beliefs; however, they must respond to many influences.

Political Party Membership

People who join and work locally for political parties are referred to as grassroots

Members from each riding can become delegates to party conventions

Delegates can discuss policy with party leaders

Delegates directions are put forth as resolutions - if passed, a resolution becomes a policy

Many parties support membership at 14 years of age and have youth wings

Civil Service Advice

The executive branch of government employs thousands of civil servants

Top civil servants are experts and advise the government on policy details

Judicial Opinion

The influence of the courts on policy has increase since the passage of the CCRF in 1982

Government legislation must comply with the Charter

Courts can override laws that do not respect the Charter

More Influences

Economic Realities Economic conditions affect policy decisions - is there enough money to deliver on their promises ?

• International Pressures– Foreign policy, defense and trade all depend on

relationship with other countries – Most importantly is the relationship between

Canada and the United States

• Intergovernmental Concerns– Polices of one level of

government and influenced by the demands and needs of other levels of Government

Interest Groups

• Interest Groups are groups of informed citizens that come together to pursue common causes or goals

• They try to influence policy makers

• Many groups focus their efforts on the courts and interpretation of the Charter

Consequences of a Policy

• To assess what "good" is would include policies that are designed to:– do what is best for most people – protect the weakest in society – provide fairness and equity – create cleaner, healthier community

Interest Groups and Policy Makers

• Instead of joining a political party:– Interest Group: a collection of individuals who pursue common

political goals; might represent those with a similar profession or focus on one specific policy objective; goal is to pressure governments to pass legislation that is favorable to their particular group or cause, or alter current legislation that has already been passed; exs: Canadian Council of Business, the Council of Poverty, and the National Citizens Coalition

– Pressure Group: essentially the same thing as an interest group but tend to have less funds and are not as well organized; exs: Tobacco Manufacturers, the Arts Council, and the Canadian Medical Association

– Lobby Group: derives from people waiting in the lobby of the government buildings in order to attempt to influence their decisions; many lobbyists are professional who are paid to lobby the government, usually for big businesses (like former politicians)

How Do They Influence Government Policy?

• develop publicity campaigns to change the way people think i.e. MADD

• develop a critical series of contacts within the media and the government

• appear before parliamentary committees or royal commissions

• conduct polls and surveys

• make campaign contributions to parties that favor their views

• organize and take part in demonstrations, protests, and rallies

• fundraise

• ***The media and the internet has changed how these groups operate over the last decade***

• ***The more contact interest groups have with the government the better chance they have with influencing policy. Sometimes at the same time one group is fighting for one thing, a second group is fighting for the opposite ***

Spectrum of Influence

• Some interest groups can afford to hire professional lobbyists

• Sometimes interest groups are "umbrella" organizations – Ex: The Insurance Bureau of Canada promotes

the interests of many insurance companies, giving each company a stronger voice than they would if each insurance company lobbied separately

• Remember, anyone can form an interest group!

Homelessness and Public Spaces

• page 66 in text

• What do you think?

RMR: Online Privacy, Warning Shots, NDP Race, No Debate, The War On Fun, etc.

http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Shows/The_Rick_Mercer_Report