Political Parties And Voting Flashcards
What are the two basic Democratic Party systems?
- Two-party system
- Multiparty system
Which Democratic Party systems does Canada use?
Multiparty system
Which Democratic Party system does the the US use?
Two party system: Democrat and republican
What are the five main political parties in Canada and which are the dominant ones?
-the liberal party
-the Conservative Party
-the New Democrat party (NDP)
-the Green Party
-The Bloc Québécois (Quebec only)
The liberal and conservative parties are the dominant parties.
What is the political spectrum?
An invisible line or grid that describes a persons political beliefs.
What are people on the left of the political spectrum called?
Left wing and they are typical considered liberals.
What are people saying in the centre of the political spectrum called?
Centrist
What are people on the right of the political spectrum called?
Right wing, they are considered to be conservative.
What are people on the far left of the political spectrum called?
Communist, they want complete government control.
What are people on the far right of the political spectrum called?
Libertarian, they want more freedom, less government control.
What are parties on the left wing like?
They are unhappy with how things have been done for year and wish for more change, for more equality for those who need it. They want the government to provide more services and would like higher taxes to get those services.
What are parties on the right wing like?
Right wing parties are cautious about change, and prefer more traditional social order and institutions. They want harsher punishments for crimes, and for people to pay for their own services. They also want less taxes so they have more freedom with their own money.
What is the right to vote called?
Franchise
What do you need to be to vote in Canada?
- A Canadian citizen at least 18 years old on election day
- Be able to provide acceptable proof of identity and address
What are women who fought for women’s rights to vote called?
Suffragettes
What happened in 1916?
Women in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta gained provincial franchise.
What happened in 1920?
Women gained federal franchise.
What happened in 1960?
Status Indians gained federal franchise.
What happened in 1970?
The voting age lowered from 21 to 18.
What happened in 1982 (for voting)?
Franchise was given to every citizen aged 18 and over because of the CCRF.
What was voting like in 1867?
Only male British citizens who were over 21 and owned land could vote. Voting would occur over 7 days and candidates were allowed to influence the voters at polling stations.
What is voting like now?
Now any citizen over 18 can vote. Voting occurs over 12 hours, though there are advanced voting days for those who can make the official date. Campaigning is not allowed within 100m of polling stations.
How many federal ridings are there in Canada?
338
How many provincial ridings are in Manitoba?
57
How many municipal tidings are there in Winnipeg?
15
What is the criteria to run for office?
- Be a Canadian citizen 18 or over
- Must collect signatures of 100 eligible voters on the nomination form
- Deposit $1000 with an election official called a returning officer
What are election candidates without a political party called?
Independent candidates
When must federal elections occur?
On the third Monday of October within 5 years of the last election.
When must Manitoba provincial elections occur?
On the first Monday of October within 4 years of the last election.
When must Manitoba municipal elections occur?
The third Wednesday of October within 4 years of the last election.
What is the process for elections in Canada?
- The Governor General/Lieutenant General calls election
- The Chief Electoral officer mobilizes workers
- Campaigns begin
- Election day
- Election results are announced
- The winner of the election becomes a member of the HoC or legislature
What is it called when other parties team up against the ruling party and force a non-confidence vote?
Being defeated by parliament.
What is the amount of eligible voters who arrived at the polling station and voted called?
Voter turnout
What is First Past the Post (FPtP)?
When the winner is the candidate with the most votes.
What is mandatory voting?
When the law requires all eligible voters must vote, and face criminal charges if the don’t.
What is the Proportional Representatives (PR) system?
When people vote for the political party they want instead of the candidate.
