Understanding Canadian Politics and Representation

Canada's Political System

Refers to the structure and processes that govern the political landscape of Canada, which has evolved significantly since 1867.

Ideologies in Canadian Politics

Refer to the diverse set of values, beliefs, and ideas that shape the dynamics and divisions within Canadian politics.

Opportunities for Citizen Involvement

Highlight the numerous ways in which average citizens can engage in politics and government through various paid and volunteer positions.

Layers of Political Representation in Canada

Include members of provincial/territorial legislatures, Members of Parliament, Senators, local government officials, as well as Indigenous representatives like Elders, Chiefs, and Band councilors.

Role of Heads of Government in Canada

Heads of government in Canada include provincial premiers and the prime minister, who are appointed by representatives of the Queen rather than being elected.

Definition of Politics

Refers to the activities related to collective decision-making, focusing on questions of 'Who gets what? When? Why? How?'

State in Politics

Defined as a structured political community with ultimate authority over its territory, where power struggles, especially at the state level, are prominent.

Canadian Federation Structure

Consists of 11 sovereign governments, with the federal government having jurisdiction over areas like the Armed Forces, defense, and citizenship.

Democratic Participation in States

In democratic states, most government members are elected regularly, and citizens have a more active role compared to subjects in autocracies.

Indigenous Peoples' Rights

Reflect their ties to the land, legal and political rights as original occupants of Canada, and the ongoing challenges of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

Core Cleavages in Canadian Politics

Defined by geography, demography, and ideology, influencing debates on territory, culture, ethnicity, and the role of the state in society and the economy.

Regional Political Cultures in Canada

Vary across provinces, with each province having its unique political world and priorities.

Ethnic Communities in Canada

Contribute to the diverse political outlook in Canada, with cultural differences persisting, especially between French- and English-speaking communities.

Multiculturalism in Canada

Core to Canada's identity, depicted as a mosaic of distinct yet interdependent ethnocultural communities.

Political Ideology

Comprises a set of ideas forming a coherent political belief system, with Canadian politics often seen as having less ideological conflict.

Left-Wing vs. Right-Wing Politics

Left-wing tends to advocate for a larger government role in achieving equality, while right-wing emphasizes individual responsibility and market competition.

Left

Tends to want restrictions on law enforcement and military action.

Right

Tends to be more assertive and punitive.

Liberal Party of Canada

Ideologically straddles the political center; sometimes center-left, sometimes center-right.

Conservative Party of Canada

Ideology ranges from center-right to the right.

New Democratic Party (NDP) of Canada

Ideology spans the center-left to the left.

Common-law

Legal system inherited from Britain.

Westminster parliamentary traditions

Representative democracy featuring a government led by prime minister and cabinet, opposition, public service, independent judiciary, and constitutional monarch.

Federalism

Divides power between central and provincial governments.

Centralization

Federal government imposing common standards.

Decentralization

Preserves provincial autonomy.

Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Document outlining rights and freedoms in Canada.

Election campaign strategies

Strategies employed during election campaigns.

British North America (BNA) Act

Established the legal basis of Canada in 1867.

Statute of Westminster, 1931

British law allowing Dominions like Canada to self-govern.

Federal Indian Act, 1867

Entrenched Canadian state's approach to Indigenous peoples.

Quiet Revolution (1960s)

Period in Quebec where the provincial government asserted itself.

White Paper on Indian Policy (1969)

Federal government's attempt to dismantle the Indian Act.

Constitution Act of 1982

Brought the Canadian Constitution under full domestic control.

2008 global recession response

Massive stimulus package involving infrastructure investment.

Charter of Rights and Freedoms enforcement

Court decisions enforcing rights in areas like same-sex marriage.

Legalization of cannabis

Process of making cannabis legal.

Regionalism

Allegiance to a territory with unique political characteristics.

Naturalist view of regions

Regions primarily defined by territory, considered innate.

Positivist view of regions

Regions seen as artificial devices applied to organize the political world.

Regional Political Cultures

Society's innate political characteristics embodied in institutions and beliefs

Melted pot

Assumes immigrant groups will assimilate into predominant society

Cosmopolitan Quebec

One of Canada's nine distinct political cultures

Sectionalism

Strong territorial cohesion with alienation from central government

Populism

Political movement prioritizing average person over elites, led by charismatic figures

Secessionism

Desire to separate from Canada entirely, seen in parties like Parti Quebecois

Western alienation

Political discontent in areas west of Ontario, often due to perceived favoritism

Nationalism

Unifying ideology among people sharing a common homeland, ancestry, or culture

Quiet Revolution

1960s modernizing movement in Quebec towards stronger provincial government

Sovereignty-Association

Legal arrangement for Quebec's political independence with economic ties to Canada

Meech Lake Accord

Failed constitutional amendment recognizing Quebec as a distinct society

Charlottetown Accord

Failed proposal to renew the constitution, defeated in a 1993 referendum

Clarity Act

Federal legislation outlining terms for federal government dealing with secession proposals

Quebec nation motion

Non-binding federal motion recognizing the unique character of the Quebecois

Asymmetrical Federalism

Unequal distribution of power between federal and provincial governments

Separation Referenda in Quebec

Referendums in Quebec on separation from Canada

Quebec Nation Motion

Non-binding federal recognition of Quebecois uniqueness

Regionalism in Canada

Political consciousness and unity within different regions of Canada

Structural Factors

Geography, demography, institutions, and political processes influencing regionalism

Politicization

Manipulation of regional political consciousness by leaders

Structural Constraints

Norms and institutions embedding regional shared understanding

Region

Inhabitants' collective identity and conflicts within a shared territory

Settlement Patterns

Unique immigration patterns shaping each region in Canada

Formative Events

Key historical events shaping regional political culture

Economic Staples

Unique natural resources and industrial strengths in Canada's regions

Laurentian Thesis

Theory of central Canadian dominance causing regional resentment

Institutionalization of Regionalism

Development of structures entrenching geographic differences in Canada

Amending Formula

Constitutional rule for provincial approval of changes in Canada

House of Commons Resolution

Criteria for representation based on population percentages from provinces

Origins of Regionalism

Historical development of regional differences and identities

FMC

Provincial equality principle in the Federal-Provincial Conference

Senate

Legislative body with specific seat allocations per province

Supreme Court

Judicial body with guaranteed representation from various regions

Diversity and Representation

Challenges and issues related to political inclusivity

Glass Ceilings

Barriers hindering marginalized groups' political participation

Models of Representation

Different forms of political representation outlined by Pitkin

Canadian Mosaic

Metaphor for Canada's multicultural makeup and identity

Visible Minorities

Non-white, non-Indigenous Canadians projected to be 25% of population by 2031

Senate Committee Groups

Identified vulnerable groups facing barriers to inclusion in Canada

Democratic Deficit

Criticism of Canada's political institutions for not meeting democratic standards

Descriptive Representation

Ensuring diverse groups are represented in political institutions

Affirmative Action

Policy to guarantee representation of underrepresented groups through proactive measures and quotas

Discrimination

Contributes to marginalized groups facing standardized qualification challenges

Employment Equity

Policy mandating proactive consideration for diverse hiring

Reasonable Accommodation

Adjustments for inclusion without undue hardships

Diversity and the Courts

Legal protections for disadvantaged groups in court cases

International Human Rights Commitments

Canada's adherence to various UN human rights conventions

Indigenous Representation

Representation by federal, provincial, and local bodies

Status Indian

First Nations person entitled to rights under the Indian Act

Band Council

Governing body elected by a group of status Indians

Non-status Indian

First Nations person not registered under the Indian Act

Metis

Indigenous people with mixed First Nations and European ancestry

Inuit

Indigenous peoples with historic ties to northern Canada

Demographic Disparities

Gaps in well-being between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations

Underrepresentation

Low presence in Canadian legislature and appointed roles

Voter Turnout Gap

Lower participation rates in elections among Indigenous peoples