The Power of the Vote: I The Power of the Vote: I want to be HEARD!!!!want to be HEARD!!!!

Grade 8 takes a look at.........Grade 8 takes a look at.........

POLITICS !!!!!!POLITICS !!!!!!

What is politics?What is politics?

The way in which we organize The way in which we organize ourselves so that we may live in ourselves so that we may live in peace and security.peace and security.

Politics is the way that we balance Politics is the way that we balance out the differences between different out the differences between different groups in society. groups in society.

DemocracyDemocracy

Government by the peopleGovernment by the people People may participate in how they are People may participate in how they are

governedgoverned

Canada- 3 types of governmentCanada- 3 types of government

Federal GovernmentFederal Government Based in Ottawa to deal with national Based in Ottawa to deal with national

concernsconcerns A few responsibilities of the Federal A few responsibilities of the Federal

govt.:govt.: DefenceDefence international tradeinternational trade

… … the Provincial Govt.the Provincial Govt.

Address the concerns of the provinceAddress the concerns of the province Responsible for such things as:Responsible for such things as: EducationEducation HospitalsHospitals Health-careHealth-care

&… Municipal Govt.&… Municipal Govt.

Look after cities and towns under the Look after cities and towns under the direction and authority of the provincial direction and authority of the provincial govt.govt.

Responsible for such things as:Responsible for such things as: Fire protectionFire protection Garbage collectionGarbage collection Street cleaningStreet cleaning Collecting property taxesCollecting property taxes

Ridings or ConstituenciesRidings or Constituencies

An area that is represented in ParliamentAn area that is represented in Parliament Members of Parliament (MPs) are representatives at Members of Parliament (MPs) are representatives at

the Federal levelthe Federal level MLA’s, or Members of the Legislative Assembly, are MLA’s, or Members of the Legislative Assembly, are

representatives at the Provincial level. In representatives at the Provincial level. In Newfoundland and Labrador they are called Members Newfoundland and Labrador they are called Members of the House of Assembly (MHAs)of the House of Assembly (MHAs)

Representatives at the Municipal level are called Representatives at the Municipal level are called councillors. councillors.

All of the representatives make decisions based on the All of the representatives make decisions based on the needs and wishes of their constituents- the people who needs and wishes of their constituents- the people who live in their riding. live in their riding.

What is an election? What is an election?

The process of voting for representatives, The process of voting for representatives, open in Canada to all citizens 18 and open in Canada to all citizens 18 and olderolder

““Candidates” are people who run in an Candidates” are people who run in an election, hoping to be the elected election, hoping to be the elected representative for the ridingrepresentative for the riding

We will have an election if all goes well!!We will have an election if all goes well!!

The Party SystemThe Party System

A political party is a group formed by a A political party is a group formed by a group of people who have similar views group of people who have similar views on public issues.on public issues.

We have 3 major political parties in the We have 3 major political parties in the Atlantic region, can you name all 3?Atlantic region, can you name all 3?

Political PartyPolitical Party

A group formed by individuals who have A group formed by individuals who have similar views on public issues. similar views on public issues.

By acting as a group, rather than as By acting as a group, rather than as individuals, they have a stronger voice.individuals, they have a stronger voice.

In our region, the most influential parties In our region, the most influential parties have been the Liberals, The Progressive have been the Liberals, The Progressive Conservative (PC), and the New Conservative (PC), and the New Democratic Party (NDP). Democratic Party (NDP).

After an election, the party with the After an election, the party with the greatest number of successful candidates greatest number of successful candidates forms the government. forms the government.

The party with the second most The party with the second most candidates forms the candidates forms the official opposition. official opposition.

It is the job of the Official Opposition to act It is the job of the Official Opposition to act as as critic critic to what the government does. It to what the government does. It makes sure that political promises are kept makes sure that political promises are kept in order.in order.

In NB, there are 55 ridings represented in In NB, there are 55 ridings represented in Parliament. For each of these ridings, Parliament. For each of these ridings, there is a seat available in the legislature. there is a seat available in the legislature.

Of these 55, the PC won 25 and the Of these 55, the PC won 25 and the Liberals won 29. There is one vacant Liberals won 29. There is one vacant seat. In this case, the Liberal party holds seat. In this case, the Liberal party holds more seats (just) than the total opposition. more seats (just) than the total opposition. This is called a MAJORITY government. This is called a MAJORITY government.

When the parties meet in Legislature, they When the parties meet in Legislature, they debate issues brought up by their debate issues brought up by their constituents.constituents.

But sometimes they just don’t get But sometimes they just don’t get along….along….

In order to decide on what to do, all In order to decide on what to do, all representatives are asked to vote on the representatives are asked to vote on the issues. The party with the most votes issues. The party with the most votes wins the debate!wins the debate!

How would the number of these seats How would the number of these seats influence the vote?influence the vote?

(PC = 25, Lib = 29, Vacant = 1)(PC = 25, Lib = 29, Vacant = 1)

Because the Liberals won a majority Because the Liberals won a majority government, they have the power to win government, they have the power to win every vote they put forward…..every vote they put forward…..

……if everybody votes the way the leader if everybody votes the way the leader asks them to.asks them to.

Because of this, each party has what is Because of this, each party has what is called called the Whip!the Whip!

The job of the Whip is to take attendance The job of the Whip is to take attendance at votes and make sure each member at votes and make sure each member votes according to party line.votes according to party line.

What do you think would happen if the What do you think would happen if the PC had won two more seats, and the PC had won two more seats, and the Liberals lost two (27, 26, 2)?Liberals lost two (27, 26, 2)?

If this were to happen, the opposition could If this were to happen, the opposition could actually defeat the government.actually defeat the government.

How could this change the way the How could this change the way the government runs its debates?government runs its debates?

Would this be better, in your opinion?Would this be better, in your opinion?

I HOPE YOU GOT ALL YOUR NOTES!I HOPE YOU GOT ALL YOUR NOTES!

I HOPE YOU STUDY ‘EM!I HOPE YOU STUDY ‘EM!

THERE WILL BE A TEST...THERE WILL BE A TEST...