1. Canadian & World Politics www.CraigMarlatt.com/school
Provincial Elections
Canadian & World Politics

2. Provincial Elections Provincial Government in Canada
Provincial Voting Process
How Ridings are Created
Key Players
Provincial Issues

3. Provincial Government in Canada
Canada’s constitution divides all government powers and responsibilities between the federal government and the provinces
There is no constitutional basis for municipalities and they exist and operate at the pleasure of the respective provincial governments
Territorial governments exist and operate at the pleasure of the federal government

4. Provincial Government in Canada
Provincial Government Responsibilities
Property and Civil Rights, Administration of Justice, Civil Laws
Education
Health
Welfare
Natural Resources
Licensing
Transportation (except ports and airports)

5. Provincial Government in Canada

6. Provincial Government in Canada
Ontario Legislature Seating Plan

7. Provincial Voting Process
Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) are elected in provincial elections.
Provincial elections have been held at the discretion of the Lieutenant Governor on the advice of the Premier.
As of 2003, provincial elections in Ontario will be held every four years, unless the government loses the confidence of the Assembly and the Lieutenant Governor feels it necessary to dissolve the Assembly. (Next election – October 2015)

8. How Ridings are Created
Since the late 1990s, the Ontario Government has chosen to mirror the federal electoral districts.
In 2005, a special provincial act adjusted this process slightly by retaining the 11 northern districts as they were federally in 2003 and mirroring the 96 southern districts as they were federally in The direct mirroring is no more.
Other provinces have always created their own riding boundaries, which could create electoral imbalances.

9. Key Players Incumbents Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty PC Leader
Tim Hudak
Whitby-Ajax MPP
Christine Elliott
NDP Leader
Andrea Horwath

10. Key Players Candidates during the last election MORE CANDIDATES
on the next slide…
Liberal
Christine Elliott PC
NDP

11. Key Players Candidates during the last election Family Coalition
Libertarian
Freedom
Green

12. Provincial Issues Balancing the Budget Fulfilling Promises Education
Health Care
Fiscal Imbalance