Unit 3

Influencing Government

1. Influencing Government through our Political Parties

Contact your MP

Run for MP

Volunteer for a political party

Donate money to a political party

Liberal Party of Canada rally

Roles within a Political Party Leader

chosen by party members at a convention

Full time employees Media relations Speechwriting Fundraising

Volunteers help to publicize party, especially during elections

How are they funded? Political parties can

only accept donations from:

Corporations in Canada Individual citizens of

Canada Unions in Canada

Why?

Funding continued Since 2003, parties also receive funding based

on their popular vote

If the party has 2% of the national vote, or 5% of the vote in a riding, they receive

$1.75 per vote per year

2. Influencing Government through Interest & Pressure Groups

Pressure groups include organizations whose interests include:

1. Economic 2. Medical / health related 3. Environment4. Religion5. Civil right concerns6. …….

Interest Groups and Pressure Groups Collection of

individuals who pursue common political goals e.g. students, teachers, tenants, farmers etc

Pressure government to enact or modify legislation favourable to their group

How do they pressure?1. Publicity campaigns (MADD)

2. Appear before Parliamentary Committees

3. Give funds to political parties

4. Organize demonstrations and rallies Joining is a good way to take

effective personal action

3. Influencing Government through a Lobby Group

When pressure groups become highly organized they are sometimes called lobby groups

A lobbyist is a person who is associated with a pressure group who attempts to influence decision makers through direct persuasion, discussion, or persistent attention

Successes: move airports and industries, establish parks and wildlife reserves, control pollution etc.

Lobby GroupsGrass-Roots Lobbying When an organization

gets many ordinary citizens to write or phone politicians on a specific issue.

Big Business Lobbying Very sophisticated

Many corporations hire full time lobbyists or consultants

They try to influence government decisions or gain contracts

Former cabinet ministers are barred from lobbying for 2 years after they have left government

They must all register with Canada’s Lobbyists Registration

Anti-tobacco lobby group work

4. Influencing Government through Protest

Protest

Hmmm.....How can you let your disapproval of government policies or practices be known??

some activists who are concerned with social justice believe that it is sometimes necessary to use more forceful action to achieve their goals.

Protest group when a group of activists come together at an event they have organized to

promote a cause ie) rallies, parades, marches, sit ins, public demonstrations and road blockades

ProtestsOther ways to get yourself heard

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