Notes

2.2 Elections

Getting Elected

How are Members of Parliament elected in Canada?

Citizens often have a choice of several candidates when they vote. Usually, each candidate represents a political party. In Canada candidates "stand for election" in a riding or constituency–a geographic area with clear boundaries. The government determines all riding boundaries. Citizens living in a riding can vote for one candidate to the federal Parliament and one to the provincial legislature. To be a candidate for election, an individual must:

- be a Canadian Citizen
- be 18 years of age or older
- live in the riding for at least six months before the nomination
- put down a deposit of $1000
- collect the signatures of 5 to 25 people on a nomination form

Timeline: The History of the Federal Franchise

1867: The British North America Act
The British North America Act, gives the responsibility for the franchise to provincial governments. British men over 21 and own property can vote in an election. Provinces have lists of who is eligible to vote.

1885: The federal government takes control of the federal franchise. Provinces continues to have the power to set a voter's list for provincial elections. The property qualification is removed.

1898: The federal franchise returns to provincial control. Inmates of prisons and lunatic asylums are banned from voting. They had already been denied a vote in some provinces.

1916: Women can vote in provincial elections in Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan.

1917: Conscientious objectors, including Doukhobors, and Mennonites lose the franchise.

1920: The government takes control of the federal franchise for the final time. All men and women, including British citizens living in Canada, over 21 can vote, except Asian Canadians and Aboriginal Peoples.

1948: Most Canadians are not restricted by racial qualifications (some restrictions still apply to Aboriginal peoples).

1950: The inuit can vote.

1955: Conscientious objectors regain the right to vote. This also removes the last religious restriction on the franchise.

1960: Aboriginal peoples on reserves can vote in federal elections.

1975: British citizens living in Canada cannot vote in federal elections.

1982: The right to vote in federal and provincial elections becomes part of the Constitution. Until this time, an act of Parliament could have removed the right. The right to vote is an essential right in a democratic society.

1987: Canadian citizens over the age of 18 can vote in federal elections.

1992: Polling stations made accessible to disabled people. Voting templates for the visually impaired are available at polling stations.

Structure of the Federal Government in Canada

Broken into two groups: Crown, and Departments.

Crown:

Monarchy of Canada – Currently Stephen Harper

• Governor General of Canada – Currently Michaëlle Jean
  
  

Departments with Subsidiary Units

- Privy Council Office – Prime Minister of Canada, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada

- Treasury Board Secretariat – President of the Treasury Board

- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada – Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

- Canadian Heritage, Department of

- Canadian International Development Agency

- Citizenship and Immigration Canada

- Environment Canada

- Finance, Department of

- Fisheries and Oceans Canada

- Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada

- Health Canada

- Human Resources and Social Development Canada

- Indian and Northern Affairs Canada

- Infrastructure Canada

- Industry Canada

- Justice, Department of

- National Defence, Department of

- Natural Resources Canada

- Public Safety

- Library and Archives Canada

- Public Works and Government Services Canada

- Transport Canada

- Veterans Affairs Canada

Info

Structure of Government

3 Issues of importance to you (position of political parties)
Leaders of political parties
-platforms/beliefs
number of seats won in last election
MAJOR issues
theory of why there is an election now

First Glance

The following blog will be talking about the upcoming election for federal government in Canada. Along with periodically following events and discussing three main issues in the election, i will be saying which party i think most represents my personal beliefs.