History of the Vote in Canada A Few Highlights!

British North America ( ) Voting restricted to small part of population: wealthy men Voting restricted to small part of population: wealthy men Eligibility based on property ownership Eligibility based on property ownership Paying rent or taxes could also qualify you to vote Paying rent or taxes could also qualify you to vote Women could not vote (not law) Women could not vote (not law)

Extending the Right to Vote ( ) Women legally cannot vote now, so they organize to gain the right to vote. Gain strength in early 1900s Women legally cannot vote now, so they organize to gain the right to vote. Gain strength in early 1900s Women are persistent in protesting and introducing bills to get the vote Women are persistent in protesting and introducing bills to get the vote 1916: Manitoba is the first province to give women the vote 1916: Manitoba is the first province to give women the vote By 1918 women have the right to vote in federal elections By 1918 women have the right to vote in federal elections

Making the Vote Universal ( ) 1920 Dominion Elections Act 1920 Dominion Elections Act Significant loopholes still exist. Natives and people of “Oriental” origin still can’t vote Significant loopholes still exist. Natives and people of “Oriental” origin still can’t vote Limitations lifted in 1960 after a great deal of political debate Limitations lifted in 1960 after a great deal of political debate

Accessibility for All (1961-Present) Methods introduced to ensure that everyone can vote: Methods introduced to ensure that everyone can vote: Employers must provide staff time off Employers must provide staff time off Voting hours extended Voting hours extended Advance polling Advance polling Wheelchair access Wheelchair access Mobile polls Mobile polls Voter info in both official languages Voter info in both official languages

Who’s Who in Canadian Politics

Queen Constitutional monarch Constitutional monarch The Queen personifies the state and is the personal symbol of allegiance, unity and authority for all Canadians. The Queen personifies the state and is the personal symbol of allegiance, unity and authority for all Canadians. Presents a variety of orders, decorations and medals, headed by the Order of Canada. Presents a variety of orders, decorations and medals, headed by the Order of Canada. Title is Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom, Canada and Her other Realms and Territories, Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith Title is Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom, Canada and Her other Realms and Territories, Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith

Governor General Represents the Queen Represents the Queen Appointed by the Queen on the recommendation of the PM Appointed by the Queen on the recommendation of the PM Calls Parliament into session, prorogues parliament, dissolves parliament. Calls Parliament into session, prorogues parliament, dissolves parliament. Appoints PM Appoints PM Reads ‘Throne Speech”, opens Parliament Reads ‘Throne Speech”, opens Parliament Commander-in-Chief of Canada Commander-in-Chief of Canada

Prime Minister Head of Government Head of Government Powers not clearly defined in Constitution Powers not clearly defined in Constitution Leader of the party that has the most seats in the House of Commons Leader of the party that has the most seats in the House of Commons Makes appointments (judges, ambassadors, etc.) Makes appointments (judges, ambassadors, etc.) Advises GG, meets with foreign delegations, etc. Advises GG, meets with foreign delegations, etc.

Other Notable Figures Cabinet Cabinet Senate Senate Premier Premier Speaker of the Senate and House of Commons Speaker of the Senate and House of Commons Lieutenant Governors Lieutenant Governors

Members of Parliament

How do you become an MP? Become a member of a party Become a member of a party Join a party whose platforms you agree with Join a party whose platforms you agree with Become a candidate Become a candidate Be over 18 years of age on the date of nomination Be over 18 years of age on the date of nomination File nomination papers bearing the signatures of at least 50 to 100 constituents File nomination papers bearing the signatures of at least 50 to 100 constituents Be chosen by the party as the best candidate for your riding Be chosen by the party as the best candidate for your riding Campaign Campaign Get your name and platform out to the public before election day Get your name and platform out to the public before election day Get elected! Get elected! Get the most votes in your riding Get the most votes in your riding

Roles of the MP Sit in the House of Commons Sit in the House of Commons Debate and vote on bills Debate and vote on bills Put local, regional and national issues in the spotlight Put local, regional and national issues in the spotlight Present petitions, make statements and ask questions (this is where local ridings can have their issues heard and debated) Present petitions, make statements and ask questions (this is where local ridings can have their issues heard and debated)

Roles of the MP Sit on various committees (4-40 hours per week) Sit on various committees (4-40 hours per week) Look at bills in greater depth Look at bills in greater depth Study important issues such as finance, health, and the spending plans of federal departments Study important issues such as finance, health, and the spending plans of federal departments Attend caucus meetings (Mornings before the House sits) Attend caucus meetings (Mornings before the House sits) Senators and Members of Parliament from the same party determine policies and parliamentary strategy Senators and Members of Parliament from the same party determine policies and parliamentary strategy Ask questions of their leaders Ask questions of their leaders Explain the views and needs of their constituents Explain the views and needs of their constituents

Roles of the MP Office time Office time Help constituents with questions about anything that is the business of the federal government Help constituents with questions about anything that is the business of the federal government Attend meetings, interviews and activities Attend meetings, interviews and activities Visit their riding as often as possible Visit their riding as often as possible

How do you become an MPP? Very similar to the system used to elect MP’s Very similar to the system used to elect MP’s Join a party and be involved Join a party and be involved Get the signatures of constituents (depending on the size of your riding) Get the signatures of constituents (depending on the size of your riding) Be nominated by your party Be nominated by your party Campaign Campaign Win the election! Win the election!

Roles of the MPP Legislator Legislator Attend meetings of the Legislative Assembly to participate in the debating and making of laws Attend meetings of the Legislative Assembly to participate in the debating and making of laws Take part in meetings of legislative committees where draft legislation will be studied in detail, and where the public can participate to have face-to-face input into legislative proposals Take part in meetings of legislative committees where draft legislation will be studied in detail, and where the public can participate to have face-to-face input into legislative proposals Additional duties as a cabinet minister, parliamentary assistant, house leader or whip, or even as Speaker of the Assembly Additional duties as a cabinet minister, parliamentary assistant, house leader or whip, or even as Speaker of the Assembly

Roles of the MPP Elected Representative Elected Representative Meet with constituents Meet with constituents Deal with provincial government to solve problems Deal with provincial government to solve problems Help constituents find services that are available to assist them in different ways Help constituents find services that are available to assist them in different ways Attend and support community events Attend and support community events Present a petition to the Legislature concerning a specific problem or issue in the riding Present a petition to the Legislature concerning a specific problem or issue in the riding

Roles of the MPP Party Member Party Member Involved in task forces and other projects aimed at producing an alternative choice of policies for the public to consider at election times Involved in task forces and other projects aimed at producing an alternative choice of policies for the public to consider at election times