Who is eligable to vote?
Canadian citizens over 18
Rules of the election expenses act
- parties’ spending is limited by # of eligable voters in a riding
- the source of all donations of over $200 must be made public
- when registering to run, canndiates must pay a deposit which is retourned when they submit their expense records
first past the post system
- winner does not need majority of votes cast, just more votes than any other candiate
pro and con of first past the post system
pro: strightforward and simple
con: the result does not always represent the wishes of the majority of voters
proportional representation (PR)
- political party’s put forward a list of all its candidates
- voters support a candiate on the basis of their party
- # seats a party wins, is based on the total number of votes it gets (% wise)
cons of PR
- local representation ( 1 MP per riding) would disapear or change
- often would result in a government without majority - party’s would have to form coalitions
political party
members share a common set of beliefs - (ideology)
ideology
ideology of a party provide framework for its deciosns and policies
left-wing
- supports change in order to improve the welfare of all citizens
- governments should play a larger role in people’s liives, especially in providing social services
- law and order to protect the rights of all citizens fairly and equally
centre
- tradition is important, but change must be supported if most people want it
- governments should play a role only when it improves the lives of citizens
- law and order are important to encourage and protect the rights of indivuduals
right wing
- tradition is important; change should be treated with caution
- governments should play a small role. private businesses should ensure needs of citizens are met
- emphasizes law and order to protect society and traditions
non-govermental organization (NGO)
non profit organization that works to improve some aspect of peoples lives
- lobby’s government to change unfair laws
ex. red cross, oxfam, doctors without borders
how can people influence government?
- vote, contact MP/MLA, letters to the editor, radio phone in
pressure groups
groups who seek to influence government policy and decisions
AKA interest groups
- made up of people who share a certain viewpoint and want to change/influence gov. policy
- concern: funding (some groups are not big enough to be self-financing), sometimes dependent of gov. funds
institutionalized pressure groups
are well established/ formal organizations
ex. Free the Children
issue - oriented groups (pressure groups)
are less permanent, are formed to accomplish a goal (and disband once accomplished)
ex. a group that lobbys gov. to have a traffic light installed
Free the children
- Craig Keilburger
- goal to end child labour
- raised awarness of childrens rights - grown to an international organization
- encourage young people to become politically active
lobbyists
someone who is paid to represent the interests of a particular group to key decision makers (such as high level bureucrats or politicions)
- maybe a former high- ranking member of public service, deputy ministers, cabinet ministers
civil disobedience
the act of intentionally breaking or refusing to keep laws one cosiders unjust
Election stages (6)
- Dissolution
- Voter registration
- Candidate nomination
- Campaigning
- Ballotig (voting)
- Tabulating
