Create Your Own Political Party

Create Your Own Political PartyParty Platform and Campaigning (Day 1 & 2)What is a political party?An organized group of people who share similar ideas about the way in which government should operate

What government should focus onWhat government should doHow government should do it

Political PartyLike a team

Provides a way for citizens to participate in government

The people that make up a political party are politically aligned at similar points on the political spectrum

Political Parties in CanadaPolitical parties are active at the:Federal level Provincial level

Municipal government does NOT have political parties.

Review: Political SpectrumThis is used to help identify your political position (how you believe government ought to behave)

State control Blend of State and individual control Individual control What about Canada?RightLeft

*Generalist Beliefs, Values, PoliciesUniversal Social ProgramsRehabilitation of CriminalsGovernment involved in economyMany civil and moral liberties (freedoms)Reason and sciencePacifismHigh taxes to pay for social programs

Generalist Beliefs, Values, PoliciesSelf-reliance (look after yourself)Retribution (eye for an eye)Free market economyTo keep and maintain traditional moral liberties (freedoms)Tradition / religionnationalismLow taxes

5 4 3 21 0 1 2 3 4 5Left WingRight WingCentre

Count up the amount of yes and no answers. For each no you will place your self one step toward the left. For each yes, you will move one step toward the right. For example, if you answered 6 no and 4 yes you would place yourself 2 on the left. Once done, come up here and write your name on the political spectrum. Students will be put into two groups to begin the election process7Party PlatformsEach party has a party platform - package of ideas and policies that they believe are best for Canadians

The party platform states the partys position on various issues as: health care, foreign policy, unemployment, the environment. What the party will focus on (if elected government)What the party will do (if elected government)How the party will do it (if elected government)

This position is consistent with the partys position on the political spectrum.

8Activity: Create Your Party PlatformRemember, this is the key to your partys success! In order to convince your fellow peers to choose your leadership, your party must be passionate about your ideas and beliefsTask: Begin by choosing the positions for your party (see handout). The you will create a party platform that outlines your beliefs on the following categories

Tip: Visit the websites of Conservative, Liberals, NDP, etc., to see how they formulate their stances! Campaigning Day 2 The Election ProcessCanada is divided up into 308 areas called ridingsNumber of ridings assigned to provinces and territories is based on population size

Each riding has to elect one person to represent it in the House of Commons becoming the MP

Within each riding there is a race between those candidates hoping to win the most votes

The Candidate with the most votes wins the seat for their riding

They become the MP for that riding

The Election ProcessWhen an election is called each party selects a member from their party to run in each riding

The winner of the most votes in a riding gets the seat in the house of commons and becomes the MP for that riding

The party with the most seats becomes the government

The party with the second most seats becomes the opposition

An Election is CalledTimingThe Governor General calls the election, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister

Must be called every 5 years (maximum Constitution)Also if government loses important vote in House of CommonsThis indicates that the government can no longer govern and must seek mandate from the people1963 PM Diefenbakers defence policies were defeatedOr if government party gets new leader

Mandate- support given to a political party or government by the electors 13Election Campaign

Federal campaign must be minimum 36 daysUsed to be longerTravel time across countryNow by plane, TV and other mediaProvincial campaigns usually shorter

START DAY 214Cost of Campaign Elections Canada spends about $300 million on federal election

Only the following may contribute to political parties:Citizens or permanent residents of CanadaBusinesses or associations in Canada

Unions in Canada Campaign StrategyLocal strategies in a particular riding:Door to door, signs, appear at clubs, schools, eventsSometimes has more to do with personality than party

National or Provincial strategyFocuses on leader and party policyLeaders tour is watched and judged by press and public

Advertising All parties pay for advertising on TV and radioNegative ads show weaknesses in opponentsPositive ads show strength of partys own policiesThird party ads are run by businesses, interest groups or individuals who support certain candidates or parties.

Conservative Party of Canada

Liberal Party of Canada

Activity: Create Your Own CampaignNow it is time to make your voice heard! Your party is responsible for creating your own political campaignThere are no limits in what you do to get your platform out there but you may not PERSONALLY attack another student in any way (verbally, physically or emotionally) this would be a form of bullying and that is not toleratedKeep your campaign professional and respectfulYou can do posters, commercials, pamphlets, bring treats, etc. Think about going around to the classes with a short speech to advertise your ideas and answer questionsYou have the class to create and tomorrow we will put everything up and you will be given time to speak to the classes20I believeYes or No

That every Canadian should be allowed to carry a gun

That abortion should NOT be legal

That marihuana should not be legalized

That welfare should be abolished

That convicted murderers should be executed

That we should have a strong military

That taxes are too high, we should cut some services

That socialized medicine should be privatized

The government should never interfere or control industry

That the environment is not as important than economic growth