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History of the Vote in Canada

History of the Vote in Canada. A Few Highlights!. British North America (1758-1866). Voting restricted to small part of population: wealthy men Eligibility based on property ownership Paying rent or taxes could also qualify you to vote Women could not vote (not law).

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History of the Vote in Canada

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  1. History of the Vote in Canada A Few Highlights!

  2. British North America (1758-1866) • Voting restricted to small part of population: wealthy men • Eligibility based on property ownership • Paying rent or taxes could also qualify you to vote • Women could not vote (not law)

  3. Extending the Right to Vote (1987-1919) • Women legally cannot vote now, so they organize to gain the right to vote. Gain strength in early 1900s • Women are persistent in protesting and introducing bills to get the vote • 1916: Manitoba is the first province to give women the vote • By 1918 women have the right to vote in federal elections

  4. Making the Vote Universal (1920-1960) • 1920 Dominion Elections Act • Significant loopholes still exist. Natives and people of “Oriental” origin still can’t vote • Limitations lifted in 1960 after a great deal of political debate

  5. Accessibility for All (1961-Present) • Methods introduced to ensure that everyone can vote: • Employers must provide staff time off • Voting hours extended • Advance polling • Wheelchair access • Mobile polls • Voter info in both official languages

  6. Who’s Who in Canadian Politics

  7. Queen • Constitutional monarch • The Queen personifies the state and is the personal symbol of allegiance, unity and authority for all Canadians. • Presents a variety of orders, decorations and medals, headed by the Order of Canada. • Title is Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom, Canada and Her other Realms and Territories, Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith

  8. Governor General • Represents the Queen • Appointed by the Queen on the recommendation of the PM • Calls Parliament into session, prorogues parliament, dissolves parliament. • Appoints PM • Reads ‘Throne Speech”, opens Parliament • Commander-in-Chief of Canada

  9. Prime Minister • Head of Government • Powers not clearly defined in Constitution • Leader of the party that has the most seats in the House of Commons • Makes appointments (judges, ambassadors, etc.) • Advises GG, meets with foreign delegations, etc.

  10. Other Notable Figures • Cabinet • Senate • Premier • Speaker of the Senate and House of Commons • Lieutenant Governors

  11. Members of Parliament

  12. How do you become an MP? • Become a member of a party • Join a party whose platforms you agree with • Become a candidate • Be over 18 years of age on the date of nomination • File nomination papers bearing the signatures of at least 50 to 100 constituents • Be chosen by the party as the best candidate for your riding • Campaign • Get your name and platform out to the public before election day • Get elected! • Get the most votes in your riding

  13. Roles of the MP • Sit in the House of Commons • Debate and vote on bills • Put local, regional and national issues in the spotlight • Present petitions, make statements and ask questions (this is where local ridings can have their issues heard and debated)

  14. Roles of the MP • Sit on various committees (4-40 hours per week) • Look at bills in greater depth • Study important issues such as finance, health, and the spending plans of federal departments • Attend caucus meetings (Mornings before the House sits) • Senators and Members of Parliament from the same party determine policies and parliamentary strategy • Ask questions of their leaders • Explain the views and needs of their constituents

  15. Roles of the MP • Office time • Help constituents with questions about anything that is the business of the federal government • Attend meetings, interviews and activities • Visit their riding as often as possible

  16. How do you become an MPP? • Very similar to the system used to elect MP’s • Join a party and be involved • Get the signatures of 50-100 constituents (depending on the size of your riding) • Be nominated by your party • Campaign • Win the election!

  17. Roles of the MPP • Legislator • Attend meetings of the Legislative Assembly to participate in the debating and making of laws • Take part in meetings of legislative committees where draft legislation will be studied in detail, and where the public can participate to have face-to-face input into legislative proposals • Additional duties as a cabinet minister, parliamentary assistant, house leader or whip, or even as Speaker of the Assembly

  18. Roles of the MPP • Elected Representative • Meet with constituents • Deal with provincial government to solve problems • Help constituents find services that are available to assist them in different ways • Attend and support community events • Present a petition to the Legislature concerning a specific problem or issue in the riding

  19. Roles of the MPP • Party Member • Involved in task forces and other projects aimed at producing an alternative choice of policies for the public to consider at election times

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