Do election campaigns in Canada matter
Question
Do election campaigns in Canada matter
Length: 1000 to 1250 words (roughly 4 to 5 pages double spaced) not including references
This paper will consist of a response to one of the questions below. The paper must identify an argument related to the question and support that argument with evidence from academic sources. The argument should be stated clearly in a thesis statement and then supported throughout the paper using sources as evidence. The paper will be evaluated based not on the position you decide to support, there is no right or wrong answer, but on the quality of your argument and how you deploy evidence (your sources) to support that argument.
In writing your paper, you must use at least 4 sources. 2 sources can be from course readings (including the text) and you must locate at least 2 additional academic sources. You may of course also use additional readings from the course or other sources located by you. All sources must be referred to in the text of the paper and not just listed in the bibliography (as per standard APA rules).
Your paper must include:
An introduction including a clear statement of your thesis in response to one of the questions below
A clearly developed argument, using evidence from your 4 academic sources, in support of your thesis
A conclusion that restates your thesis and the argument found in your paper
The paper must use the APA citation and reference list format
Canada’s political system is based on that of the United Kingdom. It is a constitutional monarchy, composed of the Queen of Canada, who is officially represented by the Governor General (or by a lieutenant-governor at the provincial level), the Senate and the House of Commons.
There are 105 seats in the Senate, whose members are appointed by the Governor General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. The House of Commons has 338 seats, held by members elected by citizens who vote in general elections or by-elections. The Government originates in the elected House of Commons. According to the principle of constitutional monarchy, therefore, the Queen rules but does not govern.
The Canadian Constitution is a mixture of unwritten conventions, written Acts and judicial decisions that together form the political system. It defines the jurisdiction and powers of the federal, provincial and territorial governments, each of which is responsible for the administration of its own elections.
The Constitution Acts of 1867 and 1982 set the maximum time between federal general elections at five years, except in time of real or apprehended war, invasion or insurrection. As well, the Canada Elections Act specifies that a general election must be held on the third Monday in October in the fourth calendar year following the previous general election. However, it also allows for an election to be called earlier. This may take place if the Governor General accepts the Prime Minister’s advice to dissolve Parliament. It may also occur if the Governor General accepts the resignation of the Prime Minister after the Government has been defeated on a motion of confidence in the House and the Governor General does not ask the leader of another party to become Prime Minister and form a government.
After a general election, by convention, the leader of the party with the largest number of elected representatives will normally form the Government. The Governor General will ask the leader of that party to be the Prime Minister. He or she must be able at all times to maintain the confidence of the House in order to remain in power. The party with the second-largest number of elected representatives is usually the official Opposition. The leader of this party is the Leader of the Opposition.
The Prime Minister chooses people (usually members of the House of Commons of his or her party) to serve as the Cabinet ministers heading various government departments. Though not common, the Prime Minister can also appoint senators and others from outside of Parliament to Cabinet.
What role does geography play in democratic representation?
Representation in the House of Commons is based on geographical divisions called electoral districts, also known as ridings. At the federal level, the number of electoral districts is established through rules (the “representation formula”) set out in the Constitution Act, 1867. There are 338 electoral districts, each with a corresponding seat in the House of Commons.
Since 1964, independent commissions have been entrusted with adjusting electoral district boundaries based on population changes identified in every 10-year census. According to the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act, the commissions (one for each province) must also consider communities of interest or of identity, historical patterns and the geographic size of electoral districts. The process of readjusting the boundaries is commonly called redistribution.
The three-member electoral boundaries commissions are usually chaired by a judge, chosen by the chief justice of the province. The two other members are appointed by the Speaker of the House of Commons. Commissions are not required for Yukon, the Northwest Territories or Nunavut since each territory is a single electoral district.
Elections Canada provides the commissions with technical, administrative and financial support to help them carry out their responsibilities. Each commission publishes its proposal, holds hearings where members of the public and parliamentarians can provide their input, then issues a report to the House of Commons. If members of the House of Commons file objections to the report, the commission may opt to make adjustments. All final decisions about the new electoral boundaries are made by the commissions and published in the Canada Gazette as a representation order.
The redistribution process can take about two years to complete. The new boundaries and names are used at the first general election called at least seven months after the representation order is proclaimed.