CANADAS POLITICAL PARTIES CHV 2 OH CIVICS CANADAS
- Slides: 10
CANADA’S POLITICAL PARTIES CHV 2 OH - CIVICS
CANADA’S MAJOR FEDERAL POLITICAL PARTIES NDP LEFT Bloc Quebecois Green Liberal Progressive Conservatives CENTRE Conservatives Reform Alliance RIGHT
QUICK FACTS • Canadian politics is generally divided between right and left, in the Anglo-American tradition. • Canada's government has historically operated under a two-party system, in which the centre-right Conservative Party alternates with the centre-left Liberal Party. • Since the 1990 s, the Canadian party system has shown signs of instability, with new parties arising and winning seats in Parliament. • Canada's provinces generally have the same political parties as the federal government.
NOTABLE NDP-ERS • Founded during the Great Depression as the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation (CCF); became the NDP in 1961 • Originally a socialist party that was seen as “fringe” or “radical” • Increased seats in Parliament from 37 to 102 in the 2011 federal election • Today, the NDP is not socialist, but is the most leftwing of Canada’s parties, both economically and socially Tommy Douglas • Father of socialized medicine Jack Layton • Credited with the increased support for the NDP in the 2011 election CURRENT LEADER Thomas Mulcair
NOTABLE BLOCS Lucien Bouchard • Founded in 1990 • Party founder • Main issue is separatism • Because they only have candidates in Quebec, they can never lead the government Gilles Duceppe • Party leader from 1997 -2011 • Left-wing (similar to NDP) on most issues • Went from 49 to 4 seats after 2011 federal election CURRENT LEADER Mario Beaulieu
NOTABLE GREENS Trevor Hancock • First leader of the Green Party • Founded in 1983; first MP elected in 2011 • Originally focused solely on environmental awareness • Today has a broader focus and markets itself as a “non-ideological” solution for frustrated voters Jim Harris • Party leader from 2003 -2006 • During his time as leader, the Greens increased their support from Canadian voters CURRENT LEADER Elizabeth May
NOTABLE LIBERALS William Lyon Mackenzie King • Longest-running political party in Canada • Late 19 th and early 20 th century values included free markets, personal responsibility, tolerant relations between French and English Canadians • After World War II, became more left-wing, advocating more active government, multiculturalism, bilingualism, internationalism, social equality • Maintained a steady hold on the prime minister’s office for most of the 1990 s, but declined rapidly in popularity starting in the early 2000 s • Conservative with money, progressive with social issues • Longest-serving Prime Minister in Canadian history (22 years) Lester B. Pearson • Won the Nobel Peace Prize • Universal health care, student loans, Canada Pension Plan Pierre Trudeau • Prevented Quebec sovereignty • Charter of Rights and Freedoms • Multiculturalism and social progressivism CURRENT LEADER Justin Trudeau
NOTABLE CONSERVATIVES John A. Mac. Donald • First Prime Minister of Canada • Founded in 2003, when Progressive Conservative and Reform Alliance parties merged • Historically associated with loyalty to English culture, imperialism, traditionalism • During the 1980 s, Progressive Conservative Party called for lower taxes, deregulation (less government control of business), and privatization of government services • Reform Alliance felt Progressive Conservatives were “not Conservative enough”—were more right-wing • Parties merged to avoid vote-splitting • The current Conservative Party favours low taxes, less active government, law-and-order, and a strong military—is officially neutral on social issues John Diefenbaker • Civil Rights advocate • Gained support from Western provinces for the party Brian Mulroney • Established a free trade agreement with the US • Introduced GST CURRENT LEADER Stephen Harper
ONTARIO’S POLITICAL PARTIES • Provincial parties align with the federal parties on most issues. • Big issues in the most recent provincial election were the economy and transit.
HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT POLITICAL PARTIES’ VIEWS? • Get out your phone (or tablet or laptop) and go to kahoot. it