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Comparative Democracies: Political Systems in Canada and
the USDonald Alper
Department of Political ScienceCenter for Canadian-American Studies
Western Washington University
Presented at the NCSS Annual ConferenceSeattle, WA
November 17, 2012
[email protected]
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Two Democracies
• Canada = Constitutional Monarchy
• US = Republic
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Two Federal Systems
14 governments(excluding First Nations)
1 federal10 provincial 3 territorial
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Characteristics of Can Federal System
• More decentralized in Canada
– provinces exert greater power than states
-fewer; serve as regional
power centers-distrib. of powers
different
• French-English ‘accommodation’
– Quebec = French-speaking homeland within Canada
– cutural and regional autonomy coincide
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• In US—states have strong/equal rep in national government via US Senate
• In Canada—no elected/ equal senate to represent provincial interests
A Closer Look at Pol Structure and Provinces’ & States’ Influence
House of Commons is based on rep by pop-thus huge inequality in provincial clout at national level
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Ontario 106
Québec 75
British Columbia 36
Alberta 28
Manitoba 14
Saskatechewan 14
Nova Scotia 11
New Brunswick 10
Nfld and Labrador 7
Prince Edward Island 4
Yukon 1
NWT 1
Nunavut 1
Total 308
House of Commons Representation by Province
181 = 60%
92 = 30%}}
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Parliamentary v. Presidential-Congressional Systems: Comparative Framework
United States - Separation of powers Canada - Fusion of Powers
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Role of Legislative BodiesUS Congress
(House and Senate)
• House and Senate roughly equal in power and influence
• Strong, independent powers to legislate
Canadian Parliament(Commons and Senate)
• House of Commons focus of power; carries out will of majority party
• Unelected senate, mostly advisory• Opposition principle built into House of
Commons• Question Period
United States - Separation of powers Canada - Fusion of Powers
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Government and Opposition
Note the “face-off” architecture of The House of Commons
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Question Period: A Unique Parliamentary Institution
See: Model Parliamentary UnitTeaching File
http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/education/mpu/index_e.asp
Have students simulate question period.
Assign roles such as PM, Leaders of Opposition parties, cabinet ministers, etc.
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Party Seats Popular Vote
Conservative 166 40%
New Democratic Party 103 31%
Liberal 34 19%
Bloc Québécois 4 6%
Green Party 1 4%
Independent/Other 0 1%
TOTAL 308
A Minority Government 2008 A Majority Government 2011
Majority & Minority Governments
Have the students work out the numbers and likely partners in a possible coalition government
Party Seats Popular Vote
Conservative 143 38%
Liberal 77 26%
Bloc Québécois 49 10%
New Democratic Party 37 18%
Green Party 0 7%
Independent/Other 2 1%
TOTAL 308
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Province or Territory
Number of Senators
British Columbia 6
Alberta 6
Ontario 24
Quebec 24
Manitoba 6
Saskatchewan 6
Nova Scotia 10
Newfoundland and Labrador
6
New Brunswick 10
Northwest Territories
1
Prince Edward Island
4
Yukon 1
Nunavut 1
Total 105
Canadian Senate—Distribution of Seats (2012)
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Political Parties & Leaders
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To access Study Canada slide presentations on this and other topics click on:
http://www.k12studycanada.org/resources_pps.html