Political PartiesPolitical Parties

IntroIntro

Political parties were not created by Political parties were not created by law, they were created by us, the law, they were created by us, the peoplepeople

They are voluntary associations of They are voluntary associations of people who hold broadly similar people who hold broadly similar opinions on public questionsopinions on public questions

How do we determine who How do we determine who is the leading government?is the leading government? The party that wins the largest The party that wins the largest

number of seats in a general election number of seats in a general election ordinarily forms the government.ordinarily forms the government.

Its leader is asked by the Governor Its leader is asked by the Governor General to become Prime MinisterGeneral to become Prime Minister

The second largest party becomes The second largest party becomes the Official Opposition and its leader the Official Opposition and its leader becomes known as the Leader of the becomes known as the Leader of the OppositionOpposition

Functions of partiesFunctions of parties

Offer choice to the peopleOffer choice to the people To give citizens a way to work together To give citizens a way to work together

and to take control of government and and to take control of government and public policypublic policy

To allow voters to identify candidates To allow voters to identify candidates who have a particular set of principleswho have a particular set of principles

To organize and give stability to the To organize and give stability to the political process political process

To recruit people to stand as candidates To recruit people to stand as candidates in elections in elections

Who should we look at?Who should we look at?

Conservative Party of CanadaConservative Party of Canada Liberal Party of CanadaLiberal Party of Canada New Democratic Party (NDP)New Democratic Party (NDP) Bloc QuebecoisBloc Quebecois Green Party of CanadaGreen Party of Canada Marijuana Party Marijuana Party Neo-Rhino PartyNeo-Rhino Party

Conservative Party of Conservative Party of CanadaCanada

Leader: Stephen HarperLeader: Stephen Harper www.conservative.cawww.conservative.ca The present Conservative Party is The present Conservative Party is

the result of a merger between the the result of a merger between the far-right Canadian Alliance party far-right Canadian Alliance party and the right-of-centre Progressive and the right-of-centre Progressive Conservatives in 2003 Conservatives in 2003

Founding principles of Founding principles of the CPthe CP A balance between fiscal accountability, progressive A balance between fiscal accountability, progressive

social policy and individual rights and social policy and individual rights and responsibilities;responsibilities;

Build a national coalition of people who share these Build a national coalition of people who share these beliefs and who reflect the regional, cultural and beliefs and who reflect the regional, cultural and socio-economic diversity of Canada;socio-economic diversity of Canada;

Develop this coalition, embracing our differences Develop this coalition, embracing our differences and respecting our traditions, yet honoring a and respecting our traditions, yet honoring a concept of Canada as the greater sum of strong concept of Canada as the greater sum of strong parts;parts;

The Conservative Party will operate in a manner The Conservative Party will operate in a manner accountable and responsive to its members;accountable and responsive to its members;

A belief in the equality of all Canadians;A belief in the equality of all Canadians; A belief in the freedom of the individual, including A belief in the freedom of the individual, including

freedom of speech, worship and assembly;freedom of speech, worship and assembly; A belief in our constitutional monarchy, the A belief in our constitutional monarchy, the

institutions of Parliament and the democratic institutions of Parliament and the democratic process; process;

On health care and On health care and militarymilitary

Health CareHealth Care Believes everybody should have access to Believes everybody should have access to

healthcare whether they can pay or not. healthcare whether they can pay or not. Work with the provinces to develop a Health Work with the provinces to develop a Health

Care Guarantee to make sure patients can get Care Guarantee to make sure patients can get the medical help they need in a shorter amount the medical help they need in a shorter amount of waiting timeof waiting time

MilitaryMilitary Has increased military spending since 2005. Has increased military spending since 2005. Proposes to raise military spending by 18.2 Proposes to raise military spending by 18.2

Billion in budget 2008. Billion in budget 2008. Will raise number of active troops. Will raise number of active troops. Will increase the role of Parliament in defense Will increase the role of Parliament in defense

policies. policies.

Liberal Party Liberal Party of Canadaof Canada

Leader: Michael IgnatiefLeader: Michael Ignatief www.liberal.cawww.liberal.ca Also known unofficially as the “Grits”, the Also known unofficially as the “Grits”, the

Liberal party is the oldest continuously Liberal party is the oldest continuously running federal party. The party was born out running federal party. The party was born out of a union between two groups: the “Clear of a union between two groups: the “Clear Grits” in Upper Canada, who saw the current Grits” in Upper Canada, who saw the current government as too conservative, and the government as too conservative, and the “Parti Rouge” in Lower Canada, who pushed “Parti Rouge” in Lower Canada, who pushed for universal suffrage and abolition of the for universal suffrage and abolition of the seigneurial system. seigneurial system.

HistoryHistory

Canada's oldest continuously Canada's oldest continuously running federal political party is the running federal political party is the Liberal Party of Canada. Founded Liberal Party of Canada. Founded July 1, 1867, the Liberal Party has July 1, 1867, the Liberal Party has often been the party to lead Canada. often been the party to lead Canada. This centre-left party has its This centre-left party has its headquarters in Ottawa Ontario, and headquarters in Ottawa Ontario, and is currently the Official Opposition in is currently the Official Opposition in the Canadian Parliament the Canadian Parliament

On health care On health care and militaryand military

Health CareHealth Care Believes in preservation of universal health Believes in preservation of universal health

care care Believes in strengthening the system Believes in strengthening the system

financially and lowering wait times.financially and lowering wait times. MilitaryMilitary

Wants to get out of agreements with the Wants to get out of agreements with the United States regarding the ballistic United States regarding the ballistic missile defense system. missile defense system.

$13 billion in new money for defense. $13 billion in new money for defense.

New Democratic Party New Democratic Party (NDP)(NDP)

Leader: Jack LaytonLeader: Jack Layton www.ndp.cawww.ndp.ca The NDP was born out of a union between The NDP was born out of a union between

Canada’s first socialist party, the Co-Canada’s first socialist party, the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF), operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF), and the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), a and the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), a body representing multiple labour unions.  body representing multiple labour unions.  This merge occurred in 1961 and saw the This merge occurred in 1961 and saw the election of the party’s first leader, Tommy election of the party’s first leader, Tommy Douglas, formerly the head of the CCF. Douglas, formerly the head of the CCF.

Although the party was a consistent Although the party was a consistent fixture in the House, it did not achieve fixture in the House, it did not achieve significant clout until Ed Broadbent led significant clout until Ed Broadbent led them to a major victory and personal them to a major victory and personal party best in 1988.  party best in 1988. 

After a period of declining support in After a period of declining support in the ‘90s, Jack Layton, the party’s the ‘90s, Jack Layton, the party’s current leader, has been able to restore current leader, has been able to restore the NDP’s significance in the 21st the NDP’s significance in the 21st century. century.

On health care and On health care and militarymilitary

Health CareHealth Care Proposes increase in medical training spaces, Proposes increase in medical training spaces,

aimed at increasing overall numbers of doctors and aimed at increasing overall numbers of doctors and nurses and cutting wait times for patients nurses and cutting wait times for patients

Ensure the public availability of healthcare and Ensure the public availability of healthcare and slow the growth of privatization slow the growth of privatization 

MilitaryMilitary Ready to commit Canadian troops overseas only Ready to commit Canadian troops overseas only

under the auspice of international peace and under the auspice of international peace and security organizations security organizations

Supports the priorities of peacekeeping, Supports the priorities of peacekeeping, peacemaking, humanitarian and environmental peacemaking, humanitarian and environmental operations operations

Green PartyGreen Party

Leader: Elizabeth MayLeader: Elizabeth May www.greenparty.cawww.greenparty.ca The federal Green Party was founded in The federal Green Party was founded in

Ottawa in 1983 by a group of several Ottawa in 1983 by a group of several ecologically minded people who felt that ecologically minded people who felt that environmental issues were not being environmental issues were not being addressed by any of the big federal parties.  addressed by any of the big federal parties.  The party was later registered in 1984 and The party was later registered in 1984 and began by running 60 candidates in that began by running 60 candidates in that year’s election, earning 0.2% of the vote year’s election, earning 0.2% of the vote

BeliefsBeliefs

““Green Party solutions are rational Green Party solutions are rational because the Green Party, unlike other because the Green Party, unlike other parties, understands the scientifically parties, understands the scientifically verified limits to growth set by the verified limits to growth set by the carrying capacity of our planet. We carrying capacity of our planet. We must work within these limits.  must work within these limits.  Otherwise, we will exhaust resources, Otherwise, we will exhaust resources, degrade our environment and put our degrade our environment and put our economy, health and children’s future economy, health and children’s future at risk.”at risk.”

On health care and On health care and militarymilitary

Health Care:Health Care: Strong emphasis on prevention and health promotion in Strong emphasis on prevention and health promotion in

addition to standard healthcare. addition to standard healthcare. Expand healthcare coverage to include qualified Expand healthcare coverage to include qualified

complementary/alternative health professionals such as complementary/alternative health professionals such as naturopaths, chiropractors, and dietitians. naturopaths, chiropractors, and dietitians.

Set up a commission to study the feasibility of a national Set up a commission to study the feasibility of a national PharmaCare program to ensure prescription drugs are PharmaCare program to ensure prescription drugs are available to all Canadiansavailable to all Canadians

MilitaryMilitary Begin withdrawing Canadian NATO Forces from Begin withdrawing Canadian NATO Forces from

Afghanistan as soon as reasonably possible (no later than Afghanistan as soon as reasonably possible (no later than February 2009). February 2009).

Declare Canada a nuclear free zone and press NATO Declare Canada a nuclear free zone and press NATO allies to get out of the nuclear weapons business. allies to get out of the nuclear weapons business.

Bloc QuebecoisBloc Quebecois

Leader: Gilles DuceppeLeader: Gilles Duceppe www.blocquebecois.orgwww.blocquebecois.org Compared to some of the other major parties, Compared to some of the other major parties,

the Bloc Quebecois is a significantly younger the Bloc Quebecois is a significantly younger party.  party. 

It was formed in 1990 and officially created on It was formed in 1990 and officially created on June 15, 1991 by a group of Conservative and June 15, 1991 by a group of Conservative and Liberal MPs from Québec that were unhappy Liberal MPs from Québec that were unhappy with the federal government’s treatment of the with the federal government’s treatment of the province and the failure to meet the needs of province and the failure to meet the needs of QuebecQuebec

The Bloc was formed to influence the federal The Bloc was formed to influence the federal government in looking after Quebec interests government in looking after Quebec interests and to promote the idea of Quebec and to promote the idea of Quebec sovereignty.  sovereignty. 

Although the party has historical ties to the Although the party has historical ties to the Parti Quebecois, a provincial secessionist Parti Quebecois, a provincial secessionist party, it is important to note that they are in party, it is important to note that they are in fact two different entities.  However, they fact two different entities.  However, they happen to share similar goals and beliefs, happen to share similar goals and beliefs, leading to cooperation more often than not. leading to cooperation more often than not. For instance, many members of one party are For instance, many members of one party are often members of the other, and both parties often members of the other, and both parties back each other frequently.back each other frequently.

On health care and On health care and militarymilitary

Health CareHealth Care Intends to create an independent healthcare system run by Intends to create an independent healthcare system run by

Quebec that will maintain universal healthcare Quebec that will maintain universal healthcare Opposes any federal intrusion into healthcare, and believes Opposes any federal intrusion into healthcare, and believes

the federal government should increase money transferred to the federal government should increase money transferred to Quebec, and that the fiscal imbalance is the reason for under Quebec, and that the fiscal imbalance is the reason for under funding. funding.

Will decrease hospital wait times by increasing the number of Will decrease hospital wait times by increasing the number of physicians and nurses. physicians and nurses.

MilitaryMilitary Takes credit for keeping Canada out of the Iraq war in Takes credit for keeping Canada out of the Iraq war in

2003. 2003. Helps Canadian veterans suffering from post-traumatic Helps Canadian veterans suffering from post-traumatic

stress disorder. stress disorder.

Marijuana PartyMarijuana Party

Leader: Blair T. Longley Leader: Blair T. Longley www.marijuanaparty.comwww.marijuanaparty.com They hold no official position on They hold no official position on

anything but the legalizing anything but the legalizing marijuana.marijuana.

Former GrimSkunk punk rocker Marc-Boris St-Former GrimSkunk punk rocker Marc-Boris St-Maurice’s political career was jumpstarted by a simple Maurice’s political career was jumpstarted by a simple arrest for marijuana possession in 1991.  Fuelled by his arrest for marijuana possession in 1991.  Fuelled by his outrage at the prohibition on marijuana, he went on to outrage at the prohibition on marijuana, he went on to form the Quebec provincial party the Bloc-Pot in 1998.  form the Quebec provincial party the Bloc-Pot in 1998.  Upon realizing that cannabis prohibition was the Upon realizing that cannabis prohibition was the jurisdiction of the federal government, St. Maurice jurisdiction of the federal government, St. Maurice formed the federal Marijuana Party to advocate for the formed the federal Marijuana Party to advocate for the full legalization of the cultivation, possession and use of full legalization of the cultivation, possession and use of marijuana.  Since suffering from declining support over marijuana.  Since suffering from declining support over the course of three elections, the party has lost many the course of three elections, the party has lost many members to the larger parties and has reoriented itself members to the larger parties and has reoriented itself as a lobbying organization, though it is still registered as a lobbying organization, though it is still registered and recognized by Elections Canada. and recognized by Elections Canada.

Neo-Rhino PartyNeo-Rhino Party

Leader: Francois Yo GourdLeader: Francois Yo Gourd www.neorhino.cawww.neorhino.ca Although Neorhino.ca was only created in May of Although Neorhino.ca was only created in May of

2006, its roots can be traced back to 1963 when 2006, its roots can be traced back to 1963 when physician Jacques Ferron created the original physician Jacques Ferron created the original “Rhinoceros Party”.  Neorhino.ca kept the tradition of “Rhinoceros Party”.  Neorhino.ca kept the tradition of its predecessor by representing an alternative for its predecessor by representing an alternative for people who can’t identify with Canada’s other parties, people who can’t identify with Canada’s other parties,

capitalist society or political process.capitalist society or political process.   

On health care and On health care and arts/culturearts/culture

Health CareHealth Care The Party recommends a preventative approach to The Party recommends a preventative approach to

healthcare where laughter is the best medicine. healthcare where laughter is the best medicine. They support using eastern and indigenous They support using eastern and indigenous

treatments over super hospitals and emphasize the treatments over super hospitals and emphasize the use of natural and intuitive healthcare rather than use of natural and intuitive healthcare rather than swallowing hundreds of pills prescribed by swallowing hundreds of pills prescribed by pharmaceutical companies. pharmaceutical companies.

Arts/CultureArts/Culture The party suggests appointing Rick Mercer as Minister The party suggests appointing Rick Mercer as Minister

of Culture. of Culture. The elimination of ads on TV. The elimination of ads on TV. To invest $5 million to create an army of clowns to save To invest $5 million to create an army of clowns to save

the world. the world. A country with so rich with culture, it will drive our A country with so rich with culture, it will drive our

economy. economy.