Canadian Electoral System

“[Elections] provide for orderly succession in government, by the peaceful transfer of authority to new rulers when the time comes for the old rulers to

go, because of mortality or because of failure”W.J.M. Mackenzie (1958)

Electoral SystemQuick Facts:

• Federal Elections must occur every 4 years.

• Elections are held to appoint MPs to the House of Commons

• Elections follow the concept of “First Past the Post”

• Voters must be 18 years old & Canadian citizens.

• Anyone can run for election whether they belong to a political party or not, as long as

they register. (there is of course a fee attached!!)

In Federal Elections Canada is divided in 308 ridings or constituencies.

Each riding represents a group of people who live in the area.

Ridings are created by Elections Canada and are based on population.

Electoral System

First Past the Post System:

• This means that the number of ridings can change depending on

the growth or decline of populations in certain regions.

• Ridings could change after each census.

“Winner takes all!”

First Past the Post (Cont’)During an election, people can vote

for a candidate to represent that riding in the House of Commons as a Member of Parliament (MP).

There can only be 1 winner in each riding. All other candidates are losers.

A winning candidate in each riding must win the majority of votes to be elected as MP.

The Political Party that is able to have the most MP’s elected out of a possible total of 308 will win the election and form the government.

Electoral System

Majority vs. MinorityElectoral System

What’s a Majority??

• A majority government is when the governing party occupies the majority of seats in the House of Commons.

• In other words, they control more than 154 seats.

Tends to result in more stable governments with

less elections.

With a majority government, a party has total control over the house and can pass whichever

“bills” they choose regardless of opposition.

When the largest party wins more seats

than any other party, but still does not have more than 50% of the 308 seats in the House of Commons.

What’s a Minority?

Majority vs. MinorityElectoral System

Ensures that no one party does not have too much power because they need to negotiate with other

parties to pass bills

Having to constantly negotiate with other political parties to conduct the business of government means

that less will be accomplished than in a majority

Canadian Electoral System

Voter Scenario

vs.