Chapter 10

The Citizen and Government

 Choosing the Government
The way that most Canadians take part
in political decisions is to vote for the
representative of their choice
Those 18 years or older can vote and
Elections are held at least every 5 years
for federal and provincial parliaments
Those who do not vote make others
more influential
Choosing the Government
When nearing the end of a term, the PM asks the
GG to dissolve parliament and an election occurs.
Sometimes they call an early election to ensure
they still have public support
Voters elect local party members to represent
them in the federal parliament
Volunteers are very important- they answer
phones, distribute campaign literature, put up
signs, canvass for support, raise money
Choosing the Government
Parties receive donations from business and the
public- those who collect more money can run
flashier and more effective campaigns
Public opinion polls are supposed to reflect voter
values but some believe they affect voters
choices-if a party seems to lead an election, some
may choose not to vote- i.e.. BC Provincial election
June 2013
The Electoral
System

When votes are counted, the candidate with the most votes
in each riding is announced the winner- first-past-the-post-
system

This system is different than a proportional representation

system used in Israel, Holland and Italy- the number of seats
a party wins is based on the total amount of votes they
receive- i.e.. in a 100 seat legislature, if you win 38% of the
vote you get 38 seats and the candidates who got the most
votes from the partys list would fill those seats
The Electoral System
This system would likely eliminate the MP allocated
to a riding model, and would not necessarily give
the winning party a majority- this can lead to
ineffectual coalition governments-elections can be
frequent and stability in government can be
reduced
Critics of the FPTPS say that it accentuates
regionalism in Canada. For example, the Canadian
Alliance won all but 3 seats in Alberta in the 2000
federal election, but 25% of Albertans voted Liberal
Group activity
Get into small groups (3 or 4) and read about the
Electoral System on page 253

On a sheet of chart paper, describe the differences

between first-past-the-post system and proportional
representation
Unsent Letters
Write a letter to Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, about
his decision to not change the electoral system
Do you agree with his decision?
Which system do you prefer (FPTPS or PR). Why?

Dear Mr. Trudeau,

I agree/disagree with your decision on electoral reform
because

I believe this type of electoral system is better suited for

Canada because
 Political Parties

Political parties act as way of representing the views of

Canadians in decision making

Parties share common beliefs known as ideology-party

ideology provides a framework for its decisions and
policies

A common way of describing the ideology of a party is to

describe it as generally left wing, centre, or right wing
When you choose your preferred party, you can vote for them in
your riding when you are 18 years old or older
Most parties have a youth wing as parties are anxious to ensure
survival in the future
Only about 2% of CDNs join parties-some to improve the quality
of life in their community, some support a parties ideology,
while some are attracted to the power and influence of politics
Most people seek change in lobby groups or non-governmental
organizations like the United Way or the Red Cross
Many believe NGOs are a more direct way of improving some
aspect of peoples lives
 Influencing
Government
Individuals can influence their government through their MP, MLA or alderperson to
express views or request assistance or intervention

Communications with public servants, letters to the editor and radio shows are other
ways to express ideas

Groups who seek to influence government policies and decisions are called pressure
groups

These groups have persuaded governments to do things like to write new legislation,
move airports and industries, establish parks and wildlife reserves, control pollution

Free the Children, a group started by 12 year old Craig Kielburger, intended to stop
child labour and through his efforts his organization grew from a group of school
friends to an international organization operating in over 20 countries

Children set the policies and adults play a supportive role as secretaries and advisors
but cannot vote on major decision
Applying
Pressure
Someone who is paid to represent the interests of a particular group is
known as a lobbyist

Successful lobbyists are often former public servants who are well
connected in government

Often powerful lobbies work out of self-interest and not necessarily in

the public interest

Pressure groups often go straight to the courts but victories can only
make governments aware that a law may be needed

Some argue that well funded minority interest groups can inhibit the
wishes of the majority insofar that certain pressure groups influence
policy simply because they exert greater influence with greater
funding
 Role of the
Mass Media
Mass media includes television, radio, newspapers and magazines and are all
the chief methods of communicating ideas and information in our society

Media can influence public opinion and government policy because issue that
receive mass media coverage become focal points for government policy

Sometimes important issues go unnoticed and less important issues receive

too much focus

Also of concern is that the MM is concentrating into fewer corporate hands-

between 1989-99 the number of independent newspapers have reduced form
23 to 7-can the views of people be represented accurately and fairly by a
select and powerful group?

When government policy appear unethical or undemocratic people resort to

civil disobedience like the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s or the
Clayoquot sound demonstrations of 1993