1. Canadian History – Chapter 7 – Political Parties in Canada
The Purpose of Political Parties

2. When is party activity most obvious? What do they do at this time?
Party activity is most obvious at election time.
Parties stage public meetings
advertise through the media
canvas voters

3. How is interest aroused among voters?
when a party chooses a new leader.
Publicity is gained

4. In preparing for an election, what are parties expected to do?
develop policies that describe the party’s basic values and outline what it would do of elected to office - platforms.
Parties also recruit people

5. How are party platforms related to the nature of Canadian society?
National parties have to recognize the diversity in Canada.
Canadians are divided on a number of levels;
economic, social, regional, cultural etc…
They must bring together as many groups as possible.
This is very difficult to do and most parties are unsuccessful.

6. How do parties serve to express dissatisfaction with some part of the social and economic system?
Canadian more often vote AGAINST a party than FOR another.
Voters want the ruling government to be aware that they are dissatisfied and the appearance of opposition reminds them of this. eg. Progressives, Bloc Quebecois

7. The Canadian Party System (p.203)

8. What did the parties in the first House of Commons look like?
101 – Conservatives
80 – Liberals
they were disorganized - based on loose alliances.

9. How do they compare to today’s parties?
Today’s parties are highly disciplined and are concerned with appearances; all party members are expected to think and vote the same way (Party Whip).
They are also close in ideology.

10. What were ministerialists?
Ministerialists were also known as “loose fish”, “shaky fellows”, or “wobblers”.
They went along with the party of the day so that their riding would have opportunity for contracts and jobs.

11. Describe the Liberal-Conservative party.
They tended to be pro-British and anti-American. They were more closely allied with business interests and wanted high tariffs to keep out foreign goods.

12. Describe the Liberals.
They were known as Liberal-Reformer. They wanted independence from Britain and free trade with the U.S. They spoke up for farmers and French-Canadian interests.

13. The Progressives were elected mainly in MB, AB and ON.
What party moved Canada from a two-party system to a two and a half party system? Where were these MPs elected?
The Progressives were elected mainly in MB, AB and ON.

14. What is the function of third parties?
Third parties are a safety valve for discontent.
They express ideas of people who have not succeeded in finding a place in the two major parties.
They force established parties to adopt new ideas.

15. When is the impact of third parties strongest? Why?
The impact of third parties is strongest when there is a minority gov’t. No one party has a clear majority and in order to stay in power, the gov’t must have support from other parties. In these situations, minor parties can topple governments.