Social Studies 10 Lessons

By: Gen L

Lesson 4: The Electoral Process & Polital Parties

Elections & the Electoral Process

• Any Canadian Citizen, age 18 or older, can vote in a federal election.
• Federal & Provincial Governments hold elections (at least) every five years.
• The PM can choose a time that is convenient (high popularity numbers), if a major bill is defeated, or a Vote of No-Confidence succeeds.

Elections & The Electoral Process

• The PM asks the the Govenor General to dissolve Parliament.
• Canadians do not vote directly for the PM.
• Canadians vote for a candidate to represent their consituency.
• The Party with the most elected MP's forms the next government.
• The Party's leader becomes the Prime Minister.
• By-elections occur if an MP dies or retires between elections.

Stages of an Election

1. Dissolution: Parliament is dissolved.
2. Enumeration: Voter List is prepared by Chief Electoral Officer.
3. Nomination: Candidates are selected for each party in each constituency.
4. Campaigning: Candidates recieve media coverage, promote their platform, etc.
5. Balloting: Voters head to Polling Stations to vote for the candidate they want to represent them.
6. Tabulation: Votes are counted.

Elections and Money

• Prior to and during an election, candidates and parties raise money to help run their campaign.
• These contributions, although important, can cause problems.
• Often candidates with the most money, not the best ideas win.

Elections and Expenses

• The Elections Expenses Act, 1974 sets rules for how money is collected by political candidates and parties.
• All donations over $200/yr must be made public. (An individual can only give a max of $1 200 to a federal party and $1 200 to the local campaign office per year.)

Electoral Systems, Part I

• First Past The Post
  • The system used in Provincial & Federal Elections
  • A candidate only needs one more vote than the closest competitor.
  • Therefore, a candidate can win with less than 50% of the vote if there are more than two candidates.

Electoral Systems, Part II

• Proportional Representation
  • A party earns seats proportional to the popular vote.
  • More Common, is more representative.
  • Opponents suggest MP's have no direct connection to their riding.
  • But, there are multiple types.

Electoral Systems, Part III

• Single Transferable Vote (STV)
  • Suggested by a group of BC citizens.
  • Although defeated, proponents are hoping it gains popularity
  • Voters rank candidates based on preference
  • Once a candidate reaches critical threshold, the candidate is elected.
  • Ridings elect multiple MLAs.
  • Two Types: Hare & Droop.

STV, Part II

• Let is the number of seats, is the required amount of votes, is the total number of votes.
• Hare
  • Favours smaller parties to win final seat
• Droop
  • Favours larger parties to win final seat.
  • Used in federal elections

Federal Parties: The Big Three

• NDP: Lead by Jagmeet Singh
  • Left Wing (Socialist)
  • Represents workers and commoners
• Liberal: Lead by PM Justin Trudeau
  • Centrist (Liberal)
  • Middle of the Road
• Conservative: Lead by Pierre Pollievre
  • Right Wing (Conservative)
  • Represents Fiscal (money), Traditional values

Provincial Parties: The Big 2

• BC NDP: Lead by David Eby
  • Similar to Federal NDP
• BC United: Lead by Kevin Falcon
  • Similar to Federal Conservatives
• Social Credit
  • Right Wing (Conservative)
  • Lead originally by Kelowna's Bennetts.
  • '86-'91, scandals result in decline
    • Merged with BC Liberals (now BC United)

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