The Canadian Political System: A

Comparative Perspective

Study Canada Summer Institute in Ottawa/Montreal

July 3, 2012

Donald Alper

Department of Political Science

Center for Canadian-American Studies

Western Washington University

A Federal System

14 governments

(excluding First Nations)

1 federal

10 provincial

3 territorial

Characteristics of Federal System

• Highly decentralized– provinces exert greater

power than states

-fewer; serve as regional

power centers

• French-English ‘accommodation’– Quebec = French-speaking

homeland within Canada

• In US—states have strong/equal rep in national government via US Senate

• In Canada—no elected/ equal senate to represent provincial interests

A Closer Look at Pol Structure and

Provincial Influence

House of Commons is based on rep by pop-thus

huge inequality in provincial clout at national level

Ontario 106

Québec 75

British Columbia 36

Alberta 28

Manitoba 14

Saskatechewan 14

Nova Scotia 11

New Brunswick 10

Nfld and Labrador 7

Prince Edward Island 4

Yukon 1

NWT 1

Nunavut 1

Total 308

House of Commons

Representation by Province

181 = 60%

92 = 30%}}

Parliamentary v. Presidential-Congressional Systems:

Comparative Framework

United States - Separation of powers Canada - Fusion of Powers

Role of Legislative BodiesUS Congress

(House and Senate)

• House and Senate roughly equal in power and influence

• Strong, independent powers to legislate

Canadian Parliament

(Commons and Senate)

• House of Commons focus of power; carries out will of majority party

• Unelected senate, mostly advisory

• Opposition principle built into House of Commons

• Question Period

United States - Separation of powers Canada - Fusion of Powers

Government and Opposition

Note the “face-off”

architecture of The House

of Commons

Question Period: A Unique

Parliamentary Institution

See: Model Parliamentary Unit

Teaching File

http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/education/mpu/index_e.asp

Have students simulate

question period.

Assign roles such as

PM, Leaders of

Opposition parties,

cabinet ministers, etc.

Party Seats Popular

Vote

Conservative 166 40%

New Democratic Party 103 31%

Liberal 34 19%

Bloc Québécois 4 6%

Green Party 1 4%

Independent/Other 0 1%

TOTAL 308

A Minority Government 2008 A Majority Government 2011

Majority & Minority Governments

Have the students work out the numbers and likely partners in a

possible coalition government

Party Seats Popular

Vote

Conservative 143 38%

Liberal 77 26%

Bloc Québécois 49 10%

New Democratic Party 37 18%

Green Party 0 7%

Independent/Other 2 1%

TOTAL 308

Political Parties & Leaders

Thank You