Canadas government setup
Dec 21st 2010, 4:05 am
#1
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 57
Canadas government setup
Hi guys. 
Ok, most of us are all too aware of the UK setup of government. From having Labour for the last 13 years, and now we have the coalition of Conservative and LibDems. Where they are telling us they will deal with the banks and cut the massive public sector etc.
What is the general overview of Canada's government? A basic overview just to get me in the know. As in how many main parties? What they are generally liked and hated for and how the party in power are running the country.
I understand that some of you might have lots and lots to say and obviously the subject can get quite complicated. But if you have just some simple points to introduce me to how it is in Canada for government.
The only thing I know is how there was an ex Canada leader interviewed about the UK recently. He was mainly speaking about the financial problems facing the UK and how Canada went through a comparable experience some time ago.
Over to you guys....
:Stands well back smilie:
Ok, most of us are all too aware of the UK setup of government. From having Labour for the last 13 years, and now we have the coalition of Conservative and LibDems. Where they are telling us they will deal with the banks and cut the massive public sector etc.
What is the general overview of Canada's government? A basic overview just to get me in the know. As in how many main parties? What they are generally liked and hated for and how the party in power are running the country.
I understand that some of you might have lots and lots to say and obviously the subject can get quite complicated. But if you have just some simple points to introduce me to how it is in Canada for government.
The only thing I know is how there was an ex Canada leader interviewed about the UK recently. He was mainly speaking about the financial problems facing the UK and how Canada went through a comparable experience some time ago.
Over to you guys....
:Stands well back smilie:
Last edited by sta123; Dec 21st 2010 at 4:09 am.
Dec 21st 2010, 4:43 am
#2
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Re: Canadas government setup
This should be fun ...
There are four main political parties in Canada.
The Conservative Party are currently in government. They are a fairly right wing, authoritarian party. They believe in old fashioned social values, personal responsibility and small government. They are currently kept in check because they are in a minority position in the House of Commons. Ironically, they are running the largest budget deficit in history.
The main opposition is the Liberal Party. Essentially centrist they are probably slightly right of centre on economic policy and slightly left of centre on social policy. They like to think of themselves as the natural party of government but at the moment are a party in disarray with weak leadership, a divided set of MPs and no clear policy direction.
The politician you heard in the UK was probably Paul Martin. He was the Finance Minister, then later Prime Minister of the last Liberal government. He is credited with sorting out the fiscal mess left behind by the previous conservative administration.
The National Democratic Party is the left wing party. Although reasonably significant in that they get something like 15% of the vote nationally they have no chance of government.
Fourthly there is the Bloc Quebecois. The bloc only contests seats in Quebec and their mandate seems to be to ensure that Quebec gets the best possible deal from the federal government, while proclaiming that the federal government should have nothing to do with the administration of the province.
There are four main political parties in Canada.
The Conservative Party are currently in government. They are a fairly right wing, authoritarian party. They believe in old fashioned social values, personal responsibility and small government. They are currently kept in check because they are in a minority position in the House of Commons. Ironically, they are running the largest budget deficit in history.
The main opposition is the Liberal Party. Essentially centrist they are probably slightly right of centre on economic policy and slightly left of centre on social policy. They like to think of themselves as the natural party of government but at the moment are a party in disarray with weak leadership, a divided set of MPs and no clear policy direction.
The politician you heard in the UK was probably Paul Martin. He was the Finance Minister, then later Prime Minister of the last Liberal government. He is credited with sorting out the fiscal mess left behind by the previous conservative administration.
The National Democratic Party is the left wing party. Although reasonably significant in that they get something like 15% of the vote nationally they have no chance of government.
Fourthly there is the Bloc Quebecois. The bloc only contests seats in Quebec and their mandate seems to be to ensure that Quebec gets the best possible deal from the federal government, while proclaiming that the federal government should have nothing to do with the administration of the province.
Last edited by JonboyE; Dec 21st 2010 at 5:11 am.
Dec 21st 2010, 4:45 am
#3
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Re: Canadas government setup
Oh, and politicians are generally held in contempt by the population and assumed to be more interested in looking after their own interests than the electorate's.
Dec 21st 2010, 5:07 am
#4
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Joined: Nov 2006
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Posts: 894
Re: Canadas government setup
I've been here almost 4 years and know nothing about the government, but in my defence they never tell you about themselves either.
Party political broadcasts or adverts are simply character assassinations of the oppositions leaders.
I've never gleamed any info on what they stand for.
I know the UK has its moment (devil's eyes, Kinnock's fall etc) but its nothing compared to over here.
Party political broadcasts or adverts are simply character assassinations of the oppositions leaders.
I've never gleamed any info on what they stand for.
I know the UK has its moment (devil's eyes, Kinnock's fall etc) but its nothing compared to over here.
Dec 21st 2010, 5:07 am
#5
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,022
Re: Canadas government setup
This should be fun ...
There are four main political parties in Canada.
The Conservative Party are currently in government. They are a fairly right wing, authoritarian party. They believe in old fashioned social values, personal responsibility and small government. They are currently kept in check because they are in a minority position in the House of Commons. Ironically, they are running the largest budget deficit in history.
The main opposition is the Liberal Party. Essentially centrist they are probably slightly right of centre on economic policy and slightly left of centre on social policy. They like to think of themselves as the natural party of government but at the moment are a party in disarray with weak leadership, a divided set of MPs and no clear policy direction.
The politician you heard in the UK was probably Paul Martin. He was the Finance Minister, then later Prime Minister of the last Liberal government. He is credited with sorting out the fiscal mess left behind by the previous conservative administration.
The National Democratic Party are the left wing party. Although reasonably significant in that they get something like 15% of the vote nationally they have no chance of government.
Fourthly there is the Bloc Quebecois. The bloc only contests seats in Quebec and their mandate seems to be to ensure that Quebec gets the best possible deal from the federal government, while proclaiming that the federal government should have nothing to do with the administration of the province.
There are four main political parties in Canada.
The Conservative Party are currently in government. They are a fairly right wing, authoritarian party. They believe in old fashioned social values, personal responsibility and small government. They are currently kept in check because they are in a minority position in the House of Commons. Ironically, they are running the largest budget deficit in history.
The main opposition is the Liberal Party. Essentially centrist they are probably slightly right of centre on economic policy and slightly left of centre on social policy. They like to think of themselves as the natural party of government but at the moment are a party in disarray with weak leadership, a divided set of MPs and no clear policy direction.
The politician you heard in the UK was probably Paul Martin. He was the Finance Minister, then later Prime Minister of the last Liberal government. He is credited with sorting out the fiscal mess left behind by the previous conservative administration.
The National Democratic Party are the left wing party. Although reasonably significant in that they get something like 15% of the vote nationally they have no chance of government.
Fourthly there is the Bloc Quebecois. The bloc only contests seats in Quebec and their mandate seems to be to ensure that Quebec gets the best possible deal from the federal government, while proclaiming that the federal government should have nothing to do with the administration of the province.
Generally the politicians are cradles, the workers not.
Dec 21st 2010, 6:09 am
#6
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Joined: Aug 2005
Location: South of Calgary
Posts: 13,378
Re: Canadas government setup
This should be fun ...
There are four main political parties in Canada.
The Conservative Party are currently in government. They are a fairly right wing, authoritarian party. They believe in old fashioned social values, personal responsibility and small government. They are currently kept in check because they are in a minority position in the House of Commons. Ironically, they are running the largest budget deficit in history.
The main opposition is the Liberal Party. Essentially centrist they are probably slightly right of centre on economic policy and slightly left of centre on social policy. They like to think of themselves as the natural party of government but at the moment are a party in disarray with weak leadership, a divided set of MPs and no clear policy direction.
The politician you heard in the UK was probably Paul Martin. He was the Finance Minister, then later Prime Minister of the last Liberal government. He is credited with sorting out the fiscal mess left behind by the previous conservative administration.
The National Democratic Party is the left wing party. Although reasonably significant in that they get something like 15% of the vote nationally they have no chance of government.
Fourthly there is the Bloc Quebecois. The bloc only contests seats in Quebec and their mandate seems to be to ensure that Quebec gets the best possible deal from the federal government, while proclaiming that the federal government should have nothing to do with the administration of the province.
There are four main political parties in Canada.
The Conservative Party are currently in government. They are a fairly right wing, authoritarian party. They believe in old fashioned social values, personal responsibility and small government. They are currently kept in check because they are in a minority position in the House of Commons. Ironically, they are running the largest budget deficit in history.
The main opposition is the Liberal Party. Essentially centrist they are probably slightly right of centre on economic policy and slightly left of centre on social policy. They like to think of themselves as the natural party of government but at the moment are a party in disarray with weak leadership, a divided set of MPs and no clear policy direction.
The politician you heard in the UK was probably Paul Martin. He was the Finance Minister, then later Prime Minister of the last Liberal government. He is credited with sorting out the fiscal mess left behind by the previous conservative administration.
The National Democratic Party is the left wing party. Although reasonably significant in that they get something like 15% of the vote nationally they have no chance of government.
Fourthly there is the Bloc Quebecois. The bloc only contests seats in Quebec and their mandate seems to be to ensure that Quebec gets the best possible deal from the federal government, while proclaiming that the federal government should have nothing to do with the administration of the province.
The one thing you may find strange over here is the constant threat of an election. The party in power will suggest something, the others then gang up to ensure that the vote doesn`t go through, as a result of which they will seek an election. The point being that the opposition to the vote isn`t something they actually believe in, just a means to attempt to increase their numbers.
Now, this may just be a result of minority government and, in light of the current coalition in the UK, you may experience more of this over there too. But it is something that pisses me off no end. Object if you believe it is appropriate to object, don`t object just to cause a "constitutional crisis"
Dec 21st 2010, 6:34 am
#7
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: Calgary
Posts: 3,340
Re: Canadas government setup
This should be fun ...
There are four main political parties in Canada.
The Conservative Party are currently in government. They are a fairly right wing, authoritarian party. They believe in old fashioned social values, personal responsibility and small government. They are currently kept in check because they are in a minority position in the House of Commons. Ironically, they are running the largest budget deficit in history.
The main opposition is the Liberal Party. Essentially centrist they are probably slightly right of centre on economic policy and slightly left of centre on social policy. They like to think of themselves as the natural party of government but at the moment are a party in disarray with weak leadership, a divided set of MPs and no clear policy direction.
The politician you heard in the UK was probably Paul Martin. He was the Finance Minister, then later Prime Minister of the last Liberal government. He is credited with sorting out the fiscal mess left behind by the previous conservative administration.
The National Democratic Party is the left wing party. Although reasonably significant in that they get something like 15% of the vote nationally they have no chance of government.
Fourthly there is the Bloc Quebecois. The bloc only contests seats in Quebec and their mandate seems to be to ensure that Quebec gets the best possible deal from the federal government, while proclaiming that the federal government should have nothing to do with the administration of the province.
There are four main political parties in Canada.
The Conservative Party are currently in government. They are a fairly right wing, authoritarian party. They believe in old fashioned social values, personal responsibility and small government. They are currently kept in check because they are in a minority position in the House of Commons. Ironically, they are running the largest budget deficit in history.
The main opposition is the Liberal Party. Essentially centrist they are probably slightly right of centre on economic policy and slightly left of centre on social policy. They like to think of themselves as the natural party of government but at the moment are a party in disarray with weak leadership, a divided set of MPs and no clear policy direction.
The politician you heard in the UK was probably Paul Martin. He was the Finance Minister, then later Prime Minister of the last Liberal government. He is credited with sorting out the fiscal mess left behind by the previous conservative administration.
The National Democratic Party is the left wing party. Although reasonably significant in that they get something like 15% of the vote nationally they have no chance of government.
Fourthly there is the Bloc Quebecois. The bloc only contests seats in Quebec and their mandate seems to be to ensure that Quebec gets the best possible deal from the federal government, while proclaiming that the federal government should have nothing to do with the administration of the province.
The Conservative Party are currently in government. They are a moderate right of centre party. They believe in traditional social values, personal freedom and responsibility and small government. They are currently unable to introduce some of their policies because they are in a minority position in the House of Commons. The other three parties haven't voted together to force the government out because they know they wouldn't gain anything in another election. In line with other western democracies and with the aquiescence of the other parties they are running a significant budget deficit.
Dec 21st 2010, 7:04 am
#9
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Dec 21st 2010, 11:05 am
#10
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Posts: 3,340
Re: Canadas government setup
You'll be please to see him on the second page. Very strange choice on the first page for the Trudeau boy.
http://www.cbc.ca/photogallery/news/4237/
http://www.cbc.ca/photogallery/news/4237/
Dec 21st 2010, 11:23 am
#11
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Dec 21st 2010, 11:33 am
#12
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 14,227
Re: Canadas government setup
Just like in the UK there are different parties and levels of government. It's also like the UK in that it won't make much difference who is in power, although there might be the odd bone thrown to voters to give the illusion that their voting choice actually matters. This helps keeps us pliant while it does it's real job of stealing as much of our current and future wealth as possible. Bastards.
Dec 21st 2010, 2:06 pm
#13
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Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,022
Re: Canadas government setup
You'll be please to see him on the second page. Very strange choice on the first page for the Trudeau boy.
http://www.cbc.ca/photogallery/news/4237/
http://www.cbc.ca/photogallery/news/4237/
Not sure what's strange about the Trudeau picture, they're Canadians, bashing seals and shooting furry things is what they're about.
Dec 22nd 2010, 12:51 am
#14
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Joined: Sep 2009
Location: Ottineau
Posts: 6,342
Re: Canadas government setup
That's federal politics. There's also a parliament in each province featuring approximately the same parties with some regional variations. And then there are levels of regional government depending on whether you're considering cities or rural areas. Regional politicians are nominally independent of parties but tend to be aligned, for example, the current leader of the federal NDP was obviously a member of the NDP when he was a councillor in Toronto. Politicians often start out on school boards of which there are four for every little village in Ontario.
Generally the politicians are cradles, the workers not.
Generally the politicians are cradles, the workers not.
Dec 22nd 2010, 1:20 am
#15
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Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,022
Re: Canadas government setup
It doesn't seem to work like that in these parts. My administrative district at the federal level is Laurentides, Outaouais and Northern Quebec. Eight of the ten MPs are BQ, mostly with whopping majorities. At the provincial level, l'Outaouais (where I live) is solidly Liberal (5/5).
