The Canadian Electoral Process

The Government and You: The Electoral Process Any Canadian citizen 18 years of age or over, may choose to run at election time as a candidate in a federal constituency (also called ridings or seats) Constituency means the population of a particular geographical area (usually about people) Usually candidates represent a political party (however they can be independent of any specific political party) If a party wins more than one-half of the total number of seats, it forms a majority government Party with 2 nd most ridings = The Official Opposition A party which gets more seats than any other party, but less than ½ of the total seats in the HOC forms a minority government.

The Government and you Elections Continued The electoral process in Canada is set out in the Canada Elections Act It can be considered to have six stages: 1. Dissolution 2. Enumeration 3. Nomination 4. Campaigning 5. Balloting 6. Tabulation

The Electoral Process 1) Dissolution One of the ceremonial duties of the GG is to dissolve the HOC on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. – Sometimes a PM will call an election earlier than their 5 year term to test whether the have the people’s support At this point the MP’s are dismissed from the HOC and a new election date is suggested by the PM. – Date must be within 50 days of the date of dissolution. However a vote of non-confidence could force an election at any time during a 5 year term. – This is also now in effect provincially in BC. On the 2 nd Tuesday in May

The Electoral Process 2) Enumeration Following dissolution the GG asks the Chief Electoral Officer, to write an election writ (states an election is to be held), prepare provincial voters’ lists, establish polls, and ensure votes are properly counted Returning officers make up the list of voters’ names “returned” to the constituency office and the election results “returned” in that constituency on election day. The preparation of the voters’ list is known as enumeration. When people go to vote they go to Polling Stations (generally set up in schools, rec centers, churches, etc.) Each polling station has its own list of voters. On average each polling station has about 250 voters names on their lists.

The Electoral Process 3) Nomination As soon as election writs are issued, each party must decide who will be its candidate in each constituency. – The selection of candidates is known as Nomination. Any Canadian citizen 18 years or older may be nominated as a candidate. Parties generally select a candidate for each constituency at a nomination meeting, held in that riding. Party members present at the meeting vote until one of the people seeking the nomination has a majority. People without any attachment to a political party who become candidates are called independents Every candidate must make a deposit of $200 with the returning officer for the constituency. They must also present nomination papers containing the signatures of 25 other electors. – If the party leader officially endorses the candidate, the latter’s name will be listed on the ballot for that constituency on election day.

The Election Process 4) Campaigning The Campaign takes place from the time when election writs are issued to the weekend before election day. The Parties and candidates present themselves and their platform (their promises and beliefs) to the public through the various media and public meetings, in an attempt to convince the public to vote for their party`s candidate. – Some tactics: radio, newspaper, TV, pamphlets, posters, lawn signs, public appearances, door-to-door canvassing, etc.

The Electoral Process 5) Balloting On the day of a federal election each polling station is open from 8 am to 8 pm Employers are required by law to allow their workers time to vote. In most cases, polling stations are located in a neighborhood school, church, or community centre. Advance Polls exist for people who for one reason or another can not vote on election day. Each polling station is manned by a Deputy Returning Officer who is responsible to the Returning Officer. When a voter enters a polling station, his or her name is checked by the DRO against the list of voters prepared for the poll. The DRO gives the voter a ballot, the voter pencils an “X” in the box beside the name of the candidate he/she favors. The voter then folds the ballot, leaves their booth and gives the ballot to the DRO, who drops it into a special locked box. The vote has been cast

The Electoral Process 6) Tabulation Once the polling stations close, the ballot boxes are opened and the ballots are counted by the D.R.Os. These days computers tabulate the voting results for many polls. This process is known as Tabulation. At the close of voting, local television and radio stations can legally begin to broadcast the results as they come in. Media

Elections Public opinion Polls Political Parties spend a lot of money conducting Public Opinion Polls (POPs). Mass Media spends an enormous amount of time presenting the results of polls. How might POPs affect voter turn out?

“Elections!”

Elections Expenses Act Campaign spending is limited by eligible voters per riding Donations can be made to campaigns. Those over $200 must be made public If you receive 15% of the votes in your riding you are reimbursed half of your costs.

Election Night We use the First–past-the-Post-system – This means that you do not need a majority (i.e. >50%) of votes only the most votes of the candidates in your riding. Some countries use a Proportional Representation system. – In the PR system you get as many seats as your popular percentage dictates.

Other ways to Change Things -Individual Contact Methods- Contact your city council, MLA or MP. All government representatives have offices in your neighbourhood. Most with walk in policies. You can communicate with public servants who carry out the day to day business of the government. You can send letters to editors, call in to radio shows or sometimes even get on public TV. Can you think of any other ways?

Other ways to Change Things -Affecting Large Scale Political Change- Three ways: 1. Pressure Groups, Interest Groups & Lobbyists 2. Utilizing Mass Media 3. Civil Disobedience  Pressure Group

Pressure/Interest Groups and Lobbyists Definition: Groups who seek to influence government policies and decisions. Two Types: Institutionalized – Well established formal organizations which are always around. Issue-Oriented – Less permanent groups looking to accomplish smaller aims and then disappear.

Some Major Institutionalized Groups Greenpeace Canadian Cancer Society Free The Children Can anyone tell us anything about one or more of these organizations?

Pressure Groups Continued How do pressure groups work? Provide research and advice to government ministries. Take issues to court, e.g. Abortion. Hire lobbyists (former senior officials) to utilize their connections when meeting with important politicians. What are some possible issues with pressure groups?

Utilizing the Mass Media The Mass Media dictates most of the information we see! Issues that get a lot of media coverage get more attention from government. Some groups pull publicity stunts to draw more attention to their issue.

Civil Disobedience Definition: The act of intentionally breaking a law which is deemed unjust. King said it is only warranted when there is significant harm from the law itself. Civil disobedience is about taking responsibility for your actions. Willingness to face punishment.

End of Government Unit ! Now you should know all the terms used in government. Do you have a future in Political Science? – Do you know all there is to know about Canadian Politics?Canadian Politics? See if you can understand the terminology used by today’s politicians.today’s politicians.

Group Activity First: Get into groups of three or four. Second: You will be given an issue below. 1. Should citizens have more direct input into government? 2. Should Canada pressure the third world to stop child labour? 3. Should Canada continue to send troops to Afghanistan? 4. Should marijuana be legalized? Third: Make a one page report, setup as your group sees fit, which: 1. Lays out the arguments for both sides of the issue. (at least 3 from each side of the argument) - Your group needs to be balanced in its approach. - Knowing both sides help to defend your position. 2. Decide what methods you will use to draw attention to your issue. - If you are using Mass Media what will you do to get attention? - If you are going to protest, where would be the best place? 3. Decide what levels of government you will need to direct attention to. 4. Arrange a 2 minute outline of your report to start class discussion. - Each group will have to present.