Canadians do not vote directly for their Prime Minister. Instead, they vote for candidates in their local district (called a riding) who are hoping to be Members of Parliament in the House of Commons. The leader of the party with the most votes becomes the Prime Minister. Here are the main parties and leaders:
*Conservative Party of Canada. Leader: Stephen Harper. Harper is the current Prime Minister of Canada, however, he has a minority government. This means that the Conservatives got the most votes in the last election, but did not win more than half of the seats in the House of Commons. The Conservative Party is hoping for a majority government with this election. I read recently that with the exception of John Edwards, all of the Democratic candidates in the recent US primaries would be Conservatives in Canada. 
*Liberal Party of Canada Leader: Stéphane Dion. The Liberals are currently the official opposition party.
*New Democratic Party of Canada. Leader: Jack Layton. The NDP is even further to the left than the Liberals.
*Bloc Québécois. Leader: Gilles Duceppe. This party wants independence for Québec.
*Green Party of Canada. Leader: Elizabeth May. As the name suggests, the Green Party advocates strongly for the environment.*Other Canadian political parties: Animal Alliance Environment Voters Party, Canadian Action Party, Christian Heritage Party, Communist Party, First Peoples National Party, Libertarian Party, Marxist-Leninist Party, Marijuana Party, Neo-Rhino Party, Progressive Canadian Party, Western Block Party.
Some primary issues in this election are the economy, the environment, and Canadian involvement in Afghanistan. This short quiz can help you discern which party leader best represents your views. My result was Elizabeth May of the Green Party. Go ahead and take it, whether you're a Canadian or not!
20 comments:
I took the quiz....
And I agree with the results.
Very Cool that you are following this in Canada.
Thanks Neil. So, will you be voting in this election? If so, do you vote in this riding or are you registered in your hometown? Also, it is my sense that Christians tend to vote across the political spectrum in Canada (more so than is true in the US)--is this correct?
You comment that the NDP are further left than the Liberals.
While true, many would argue that the Liberals are further right than the Conservatives.
Can you elaborate on that Danny? Maybe I am seeing Canadian politics through an American lens?
Well the Liberal party does not fit the term "Liberal" as it is used in the media - particularly the American media.
The Liberal party makes decisions that in many cases are more right-wing than the Conservative party. For example, the Liberal party of the late 90's early 2000's was responsible for getting us to a surplus instead of deficit and for paying off debt etc.. which are normally a pretty conservative ideal.
Haha, sorry. I thought Danny was being ironic at first about the Liberals being more "right" than Conservatives. "Classic liberals" in the US are also very conservative, moreso than Republicans. Interesting.
Bummer that you can't vote, Erin!
Yes...I will be voting.
And I will be voting in this riding.
Thanks Danny! So it sounds like the liberals are often more fiscally conservative? Would you say though, that the Conservatives are less liberal on social issues?
Laurie--interesting about "classical liberals." I've never even heard of them! Yes, only Canadian citizens can vote in Canadian elections--this is one of the main differences between citizens and permanent residents.
Good for you Neil! Are there polling stations? Is there a place in Caronport where people go?
Yikes, I got Harper and I just read some really awful stuff about him cutting funding for the arts! But then often none of the statements aligned with my true feelings!
Unfortunately, I have not seen any coverage on the Canadian election in the U.S. I read about it on another blog somewhere. I think between the problems on Wall Street and our election, the Canadian election is low on the radar right now.
I think the thing about the Conservative/Liberal parties in Canada is that because they are the two powerful parties, they always move to oppose each other.
Therefore at times the Liberals will be fiscally conservative and so the Conservative party will move away from that end. Then the tide turns and moves back.
The interesting thing about moral issues in Canada (such as abortion, gay marriage etc..) is that our government has virtually now power over the issues (not that they are really issues here). The Supreme Court holds so much more power on those issues, and the government is at a loss to change anything.
So, where I've observed people in the US making such moral issues their decider in who to vote for, it doesn't make much sense here in Canada. As such I prefer to vote based on issues such as economic equality, fighting poverty, environmental stewardship and betterment for our economy. While I care deeply about issues such as abortion, it can't make much of a difference anyways.
Interestingly, on the topic of abortion, the party most likely to have people who oppose abortion approved Henry Morgantailer (abortion rights doctor) into the Order of Canada.
Yes...
Our Polling station should be at the Golden Age Center.
If I am honest, I have wondered and thought about getting into politics.
But, the LORD has always made it clear to me that HE has other work for me to do.
Neil, I to have wondered about politics.... I know it is at least a "not now". I mostly think Darla should run for President - I can be the first man.
If I ever do run for politics you and I could have some great debates I'm sure.
Thanks Danny! Do you think it's possible one of the other parties could ever get the majority (NDP for example)?
Yes, in the US election, there is much talk about whether it makes sense to be a single issue voter, particularly on issues like abortion. Seems like people hold diverse viewpoints on that. I don't know how it is in Canada, but in the US, the President appoints the Supreme Court judges. On the other hand, you'd think if abortion was really the priority for Republicans, more would have been done by now.
While it certainly could be possible for the NDP or the Green to eventually get in power, a lot would have to change. Realistically, the NDP has the best chance it has had in many years right now - the Liberals are weak and have very weak leadership - and the NDP has a strong leader who has been around a while. Certainly they won't beat the Conservatives this election, but if people ever get mad at the Conservative party (and if the Liberals' don't fix their leadership issue), the NDP has a chance for growth.
Thanks Danny! I'm learning a lot here. Yes, I was just reading a Macleans article, talking about how Dion has had a hard time getting support, especially from men. Why do you think that is?
Hey Danny
Do you think our debate would be as good as Matt Santos and Arnold Vinick.
@ Neil - maybe even better Neil, maybe even better.
@ Erin - I think Dion just has never seemed to be confident leader so that's hard for people to follow.
Hi, I came across your blog via www.expatwomen.com
I already voted and will be working for the elections. I think U.S. elections is far more interesting than Canadian one.
Take care.
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