Politics

Political Parties

Political PartiesParty 2000 2004 2006 2008 2011

12

13

172

38

0

99

19

135

54

0

124

29

103

51

0

143

36

77

49

0

166

103

34

4

1

2000 2004 2006 2008 20110

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

ConservativesBlocNDPLiberalGreen

Political Parties

Politics

Jack Layton July 18, 1950 – Aug 22, 2011

My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.

_Jack Layton’s final words in his last letter to Canadians

Parliament Hill

Parliament Hill

PoliticsQueen of CanadaSince 1952

Governor GeneralSince 2010Chosen by the Queen

Prime MinisterSince 2006Leader of the Party with the most seats in the House of Commons

The Senate – 105 seatsAppointed by the Governor General on Advice by the Prime Minister

The House of Commons – 308 seatsSeats given to those who win their electoral district as voted by the people

Politics

The Three Branches

Checks & Balances

Political Parties

Campaigning

Primaries• A handful of people from different political parties all

campaign to become the main candidate for their party.• They will also choose running mates whom will become

Vice-President during this time.• Citizens cast an initial vote for their choice.

General Elections• After the primaries have been completed and

each party has their main candidate the general elections begin.

• In this period, the two candidates from each party who are left campaign against each other for the presidency.

Voting

Every citizen casts their vote for one of the remaining candidates.

Votes are counted and whole states are won by a single candidate. Candidate with the most electoral votes wins.

The Constitution