Canada’s Parliamentary and Electoral Systems

In the Beginning…

• Aboriginal systems ofgovernment

• The Six Nations Confederacy

• The Indian Act of 1876

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- Six Nations Flag

ConfederationPrior to Confederation, two major decision were made that would shape Canada’s government:

1.Canada would be a federal union with two levels of government:

i. Federal ii. Provincial

2.Canada would have a central Parliament with three parts:

i. Monarchii. Senate iii. House of Commons

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Canada’s Constitution

Written Elements of the Constitution

•A rule book for our government•Not a single document

– 14 Acts of British Parliament

– 4 British Orders-in-Council

– 7 Canadian Acts

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Canada’s Constitution

Unwritten Elements of the Constitution

•Prime Minister•Political Parties•Cabinet•Responsible government

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Queen

Role of the Monarch•Head of State•Constitutional monarchy•Represented in Canada by the Governor General

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Parliament

Bicameral System •House of Commons•Senate

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Evolving Parliament

1867•House of Commons: 181 •Senate: 72

2013•House of Commons: 308 (soon to be 338)•Senate: 105

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Elections in Canada• Right to vote: every Canadian citizen

who is at least 18 years old on election day

• First-past-the-post electoral system

• 308 electoral districts, soon to be 338

• Next fixed election date: October 19,

2015

• Election campaigns: minimum 36 days• Canada has had 41 general elections

since Confederation

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First-Past-the-Post System

Also known as “single member plurality”• The candidate with the most votes is elected.• The winning party is the one that elects the

most candidates. Its leader becomes Prime Minister.

• The Prime Minister chooses the members of the Cabinet.

• The party with the second highest number of candidates elected forms the official opposition in Parliament.

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Voting in Canada: Three Easy Steps

Step 1: Register

•National Register of Electors: permanent list –Updated continuously by Elections Canada

•How do I get on the Register? – If we send you a form, fill it out and

return it for free, OR– Contact Elections Canada

•Check your registration online at elections.ca

•TIP: Voting is easier if you’re registered!

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Voting in Canada – Three Easy Steps

Step 2: Find out when and where to vote•Voter information card: sent to everyregistered elector

•The VIC tells you where and when to vote: • Addresses (polling station and the

local Elections Canada office)• Dates (election day, advance

polls, voting by mail

• Phone numbers for more info

•If you don’t receive a VIC – contact us to register and find out where to vote 12

Voting in Canada – Three Easy Steps

• Step 3: Go and vote!

• On election day: At your assigned poll

OR• Before election day:

At your advance poll At any local Elections

Canada office By mail

• REMEMBER: Bring proof of identity and address!

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Voter Turnout in Canada

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Who is Voting and Who is Not?

Turnout by Age in the May 2011 Election

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38.8%45.1%

54.5%

64.5%

71.5% 75.1%

60.3%61.1%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

18 - 24 25 - 34 35 - 44 45 - 54 55 - 64 65 - 74 >= 75

Who is Voting and Who is Not?

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Why Does Voting Matter?1. Voting is fundamental to democracy: it’s how citizens

choose who governs them.

2. Voting is the only form of participation in which every citizen is equal.

3. It doesn’t take very many votes to make a big difference.

4. Parties pay attention to those who vote.

5. Low/declining turnout is not distributed equally across the population.

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Other Than Voting – What Can You Do?

1. Get informed

2. Read the news regularly

3. Talk to your family or friends about politics

4. Volunteer for a cause or organization you care about

5. Become active in your community

6. Join a political party

7. Write a letter to your MP

8. Start a petition

9. Help out in an election campaign

10. Work for Elections Canada during an election

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