POLITICAL

PARTIES OF
CANADA
 DISCLAIMER
Political Parties are a controversial issue. Who you align with politically is a very
personal decision.

When we are discussing political parties over the next few classes - please keep
these expectations in mind:

1. DISRESPECTFUL LANGUAGE / NEGATIVE ATTITUDES WILL NOT BE

TOLERATED - I am not asking for your political opinion and you are not going
to get mine. You need to be aware that language has consequences. If you
cant be respectful of differences, we will have to chat. Just because you do
not agree with something, does not mean you get to be a Negative Nog about
it.
 Canada Has FOUR Main Federal Political Parties
Conservatives

National Democratic
Party (NDP)

Liberals

Green
The Role of Political Parties
Political Parties are the major way that people with like-minded
beliefs on issues and governance can get together to voice their
opinions
Freedom of opinion and having the courage to stand by your beliefs
is the cornerstone to any successful democracy.
In some places in the world, peoples opinions are suppressed,
prohibited, and sometimes punished for being against the word of
the government in power.
The purpose of organized political parties is to give voice and
expression for both the majority and the minority views in society.
Political parties can specifically accomplish the following:

Clearly define the groups needs, wants, or ideas about how a

country should be organized and run

Develop and stand by the partys vision and collectively exert

pressure on the ruling government to listen to and accept some or
all of the partys wishes
Role of Opposition
Because being the government is a one party job, those who lose
elections can become the opposition (officially or unofficially)

This party performs the duty of representing their constituents and

critique, observe, and keep the party in power accountable.

This way the majority can rule and minorities still have rights.
YOUR TASK
IN YOUR GROUPS - YOU WILL BE RESEARCHING AND PRESENTING ON A
PRE-ASSIGNED POLITICAL PARTY GROUP

You will be researching:

Their Party History

Their leader (IF THERE IS A LEADERSHIP RACE - WHO IS RUNNING AND
WHAT ARE THEIR BELIEFS?)
Platform - Use the platform from the most recent election (2015)
Current Number of Seats in Parliament
EACH PERSON NEEDS TO CONTRIBUTE EQUALLY
TO THE GROUP
There will be a self assessment portion to your grade that will be taken into
account
GROUPS 9A
1. NDP - Love, Alex, Byron, Jack, Kourtney
2. CONSERVATIVES - Kim, Sloane, Steven, Hailey,
Anne
3. LIBERALS - Zach, Angel, Anthony, Max, Joseph
4. GREEN - Mackenzie, Seth, Ashlee, Jazlynn,
Carson
GROUPS 9B
1. NDP - Ty, Andrei, Britney, Cassidy, Carter
2. CONSERVATIVE - Joey, Kathleen, Michael, Katie, Trista
3. LIBERALS - Beau, Charissa, Kyler, Trisha, Rachel, Luke
4. GREEN - Aaron, Brylan, Quinlyn, Grady, Ally