The Canadian Political System: A Comparative Perspective

Study Canada Summer Institute in Ottawa/MontrealJuly 3, 2012

Donald Alper

Department of Political ScienceCenter 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

-fewer; serve as regional

power centers

• French-English ‘accommodation’

– Quebec = French-speaking homeland within Canada

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

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

A Closer Look at Pol Structure and Provincial Influence

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

Nfld and Labrador 7

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

United States - Separation of powers Canada - Fusion of Powers

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)

• House of Commons focus of power; carries out will of majority party

• Unelected senate, mostly advisory• Opposition principle built into House of

Commons• Question Period

United States - Separation of powers Canada - Fusion of Powers

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

Conservative 166 40%

New Democratic Party 103 31%

Liberal 34 19%

Bloc Québécois 4 6%

Green Party 1 4%

Independent/Other 0 1%

TOTAL 308

A Minority Government 2008 A Majority Government 2011

Majority & Minority Governments

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

Party Seats Popular Vote

Conservative 143 38%

Liberal 77 26%

Bloc Québécois 49 10%

New Democratic Party 37 18%

Green Party 0 7%

Independent/Other 2 1%

TOTAL 308

Political Parties & Leaders

Thank You