the canadian political system: a comparative perspective study canada summer institute june 24, 2009...
TRANSCRIPT
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The Canadian Political System: A Comparative Perspective
Study Canada Summer InstituteJune 24, 2009
Donald AlperCenter for Canadian-American Studies
Western Washington University
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A Federal System
14 governments
(excluding First Nations)
1 federal
10 provincial
3 territorial
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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
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• 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
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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%}}
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Parliamentary v. Presidential-Congressional Systems: Comparative Framework
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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
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Government and Opposition
Note the “face-off” architecture of The House of Commons
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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.
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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