1. Canadian Elections

3. When Do Elections Happen?
An election must be called every five years or sooner according to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms
The Prime Minster may choose to call an election earlier, but a new law (2006) sets fixed elections dates for the second Monday in October, 4 years after previous election
An election can be called following a “vote of non- confidence” in a minority government

4. What Type of Electoral System Do We Have?
Single-Member Plurality
One person is elected from each riding (electoral district) to become an MP
In order to get elected this person must receive the plurality of the votes (the most votes, a majority is not necessary)
This system is also known as first past the post
There are 338 ridings in Canada

6. Electoral Districts (Ridings)
What was/is yours?

7. Election Process 1) The Call 2) Nominations 3) Voters List 4) Campaign
5) Voters informed
6) Election Day
7) The Count
8) The Winner

8. Chief Electoral Officer Signing Writs
Election Process
2) Nominations
Candidates (usually representing a party) submit nominations and stand for election
1) The Call
Prime Minister asks the Governor General to dissolve Parliament and call an election
Calling election
36 days
P 85#1
P 89#1
Chief Electoral Officer Signing Writs

9. Election Process 4) The Campaign 3) The Voters List
Each party uses this time to promote their platform
Debates, tours, lawn signs, appearances on television, door to door, and lots and lots of promises
3) The Voters List
Chief Electoral Officer in each province makes up a voters list of who is eligible to vote
Chief Electoral Officer is appointed by HOC
-info from tax returns

10. The Campaign

11. On The Election Trail
Some events on the election trail, whether that be an unfortunate picture or a controversial comment, can negatively affect the party.
Robert Stanfield vs. young, hip Pierre Trudeau
News media chose to run this photo event though they had many photos of him catching the ball.
Ie. terrorist attack – positive if you’ve campaigned for military spending
Ie. a comment – 2 elections ago – Harper re. arts – he lost a lot of votes

12. Election Process 5) The Voters
Eligible voters are informed of where specifically they can vote (e.g., churches, school)
There are many different polling stations within each Riding (Electoral District)
In the mail
Advanced polls – uses RCHS

13. 6) Election Day Voters go to polling stations to vote
Each polling station has a returning officer and polling clerks, and may have scrutineers from political parties
Hours staggered because of time zones
Need to give results at the same time – but not until all voting is complete

14. Election Process 7) The Count
Ballot boxes are collected and votes are counted
Each political party may have scrutineers to make sure vote is fair
8) The Winner
The candidate with the most votes is elected as MP from that riding (not necessarily by a majority)
Could stop here…
P 81#1-6

15. How is the Prime Minister Elected?
The leader of the party with the most MPs elected becomes Prime Minister
We do not vote directly for the Prime Minister
The Prime Minister is elected as an MP
The Prime Minister will formally take the position after a ceremony involving the Governor General
“We do not vote directly for the PM” ie. the USA

17. What Does An Election Cost?
Usually around:
$375 Million
The 2015 Federal Election cost approx. $443 Million

18. Voter Turnout
Traditionally, voter turnout for federal elections is between 60-70%.

19. Voter Turnout by Age
In the 2015 election, the participation of voters aged increased from 39% in 2011 to 57%.
Participation of voters aged increased by to 57% from 45% in 2011.
Voters aged have the highest participation rate of all the age groups with 79% (up from 75% in 2011).

20. Electoral reform?
Some have suggested that Canada’s system is broken and needs to be fixed
Possible solutions:
A. Two-party system instead of multiparty
If only 2 parties, would never have a minority
Examples: US, Britain, New Zealand, Australia
B. Mandatory voting
Canada has one of the worst participation rates
Example: Australia – 94% because mandatory
C. Proportional Representation
One of the worst participation rates IN DEMOCRACIES

21. What is Proportional Representation?
A PR system divides up the 338 seats according to the total percentage of votes each party receives
Ie. If a party got 20% of the vote, they would get 20% of the seats.
Canadians would vote for a party, not a candidate
The party would choose the candidates from their lists to fill the seats

23. Division of Seats with Single Member Plurality

24. Division of Seats with Proportional Representations

25. To consider:
Could lead to greater voter turnout because your vote “counts” more
BUT: not electing individuals, but parties
Would allow smaller parties to be represented (ie. Green Party – would have more seats with PR)
BUT – could lead to more minority governments because more smaller parties…
Even if you vote for a party that doesn’t “stand a chance” your vote is not lost
Smaller parties – what are the pros? What are the cons?

26. What is a Referendum? a form of direct democracy
Voters get to vote on a particular issue instead of the elected representatives deciding
Example: Quebec sovereignty vote – 1980 and 1995