1. Canadian Politics and Government

Politics

activities involving the pursuit and exercise of decision-making over the collectivity.

Democracy

a system of government featuring primary decisionmakers chosen by citizens through free and fair elections.

Power

the ability to control or influence other members of a political community.

State

a structured political community where a single claims ultimate authority over its territory.

Government

the people and systems that govern a society by designing, overseeing, and implementing laws and public policy.

Cleavage

a division that separates opposing political communities.

Geography Cleavage

Canadian democracy has always been conducted along geographic lines.

Demography Cleavage

National mythology of the Mosaic: a metaphor used to depict Canada's multicultural character, which features many distinct yet interdependent ethnocultural communities.

Ideology

a set of ideas that form a coherent political belief system.

Left-wing Ideology

bigger role for government and proactive measures to achieve social and economic equality.

Right-wing Ideology

smaller role for government and a greater emphasis on individual responsibility and market-based competition.

Liberals

ideologically flexible, mostly centrist.

Conservatives

ideology ranges from the centre-right to the right.

NDP

ideology spans the centre-left to the left.

Britain's Political Institutions

Common-law and Westminster parliamentary traditions, PM and cabinet opposition party, permanent public service, constitutional monarchy.

United States Political Institutions

Federalism and right-based discourse (ie. Charter of Rights).

Historical Evolution

Three periods: 'First' era (1867-early 1900s), Second era (Mid-late 1900s), Third era (Late 1900s-present).

Pre-Confederation

17th-19th centuries defined by military and economic alliances between Indigenous, British, French, and Spanish peoples.

1763

Britain gained jurisdiction over New France after the Seven Years' War.

The Royal Proclamation

recognized self-governing status of Indigenous peoples, nation-to-nation relationship - but declared British sovereignty.

1774

Backlash led to The Quebec Act, which recognized French civil law, extended Quebec's boundaries and granted religious freedom.

Confederation

the federal union of provinces and territories forming Canada, originally composed of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.

Federalism

a constitution-based division of powers between two or more orders of government.

Representation

Each Canadian is represented by: MPP/MLA/MNA, Federal MP, senators (1-24), two heads of government, local officials (mayor, reeve, councillor, etc.).

Indigenous Representation

Indigenous peoples may be represented by elders, chiefs, band councillors, etc.

First Era of Canadian Politics

1867-early 1900s, central issues included federal union, westward expansion, settler colonialism, and free trade.

BNA Act

established Dominion of Canada in 1867: Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, still under the ultimate sovereignty of Britain.

Western Expansionism

the colonization of Western territory due to fear of US expansion.

Indian Act, 1867

gives the government the exclusive rights to create legislation 'in the control and management of the reserves, lands, moneys and property of Indians in Canada.'

Residential School System

a system that aimed to assimilate Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian culture.

Treaties with First Nations

signed between the 17th-19th centuries, establishing nation-to-nation relationships between the British and (future) Canadian governments and Indigenous peoples.

Indigenous Peoples' Rights

reflect their ties to the land, their legal and political rights as original occupants of Canada, and their cultural distinctiveness.

Second Era of Canadian Politics

mid-to-late 1900s, central issues included national identity and unity, constitution, and free trade.

Great Depression

brought class divides into relief and led to the creation of the CCF.

Quiet Revolution

a period when the Quebec government displaced the Catholic Church as the central institution in Quebec society.

White Paper on Indian Policy, 1969

signaled intention to dismantle the Indian Act; attempt to assimilate First Nations into broader, predominantly European society.

CA 1982

brought the Canadian constitution under full domestic control, with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms enshrining Canadians' core liberties and entitlements vis-à-vis their governments.

Third Era of Canadian Politics

late 1900s-early 2000s, central issues included budgets, healthcare, terrorism, climate change, and reconciliation.

Economic Changes

slow economic growth led to retrenchment of the welfare state, with strict spending cuts in provincial transfers for healthcare, education, and social assistance.

2008 Global Recession

met with a huge stimulus package.

Social Changes

court decisions enforcing the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the legalization of cannabis.

Current Issues

carbon pricing, Western alienation, regional tensions over pipelines, focus on climate change, and rural vs urban divisions.

Settler Colonialism

belief in the supremacy of European settler institutions over those of Indigenous groups, and policies and practices that impose this belief.

Reconciliation

a live issue among Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, addressing intergenerational trauma and 'cultural genocide' (TRC).

Historical Context

history informs our understanding of Canadian government today, with cleavages and institutions defining the boundaries of the game.