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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
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
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