The Canadian Political System: A Comparative Perspective

Study Canada Summer InstituteJune 24, 2009

Donald AlperCenter 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

• French-English ‘accommodation’

– French-speaking homeland

– bilingualism

• Intense regional competition

– geography

– economic forces

– fueled by political structure

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

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

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

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

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)

• Unelected senate, mostly advisory

• House of Commons carries out will of majority party

• Opposition principle built into House of Commons

• Question Period

Government and Opposition

Note the “face-off” architecture of The House of Commons

Question Period: A Unique Parliamentary Institution

See: Model Parliamentary UnitTeaching 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

Liberal 172 41%

Canadian Alliance (Consv) 66 25%

Bloc Québécois 38 11%

New Democratic Party 13 8%

Progressive Conservative 12 12%

TOTAL 301

Party Seats Popular Vote

Conservative 143 38%

Liberal 77 26%

Bloc Québécois 48 10%

New Democratic Party 36 18%

Green Party 0 7%

Independent/Other 1 1%

TOTAL 308

A Majority Government 2000 A Minority Government 2008

Majority & Minority Governments

Have the students work out the numbers and likely partners in a possible coalition government