The Canadian Political System: A Comparative Perspective Donald K. Alper, Professor Emeritus, Department of Political Science, WWU

1. Comparative Political Systems in
Canada and the US
Don Alper
Professor Emeritus of Political Science
Research Fellow, Border Policy Research Institute
Western Washington University
Presented at the 2016 STUDY CANADA Summer Institute
Victoria, BC
June 28, 2016
donald.alper@wwu.edu

2. Two Democracies,
Different Forms of Government
• Canada: Parliamentary Democracy & Constitutional Monarchy
– Gov General (representative of Queen) is head of state
– Prime Minister is head of government (as leader of largest party in
Parliament)
– “Fusion of powers”: majority party controls government
• US: Presidential-Congressional System based on Separation of
Powers- a Republican System
– President is head of state
– President is elected independently of Congress
– “Separation of powers” means competition to control government

3. Both Canada & US are Federal Systems
CANADA:
10 provinces, 3 territories
US:
50 states and
several offshore territories
INDIGENOUS GOVTS:
Both nations contain numerous
tribes and First Nations with
autonomous govts

4. Key Differences in Federal Systems
• Canada more decentralized than US
– Canada—courts have narrowed federal powers
– US—courts have widened federal powers
• The Quebec Fact
– Quebec - French-speaking
homeland within Canada
– Politically, Quebec is a
nation within Canada
– Impacts other provinces—
act more as “sovereigns”
• Canada more bargaining between feds and provinces; US more
legalistic

5. Basic Differences -- Legislative Bodies
US Congress
(House and Senate)
• House and Senate – equal powers
to legislate
• House terms 2 years
• Senate terms 6 years (1/3)
every 2 years)
Canadian Parliament
(Commons and Senate)
• House of Commons focus of
power; controlled by largest party
• Unelected Senate, mostly advisory
• Opposition principle built into
House of Commons
• Question Period

6. Parliamentary v.
Presidential-Congressional Systems:
A Comparative Framework
United States - Separation of Powers Canada - Fusion of Powers

7. Party Seats Popular
Vote
Liberal 184 39%
Conservative 99 32%
New Democratic Party 44 20%
Bloc Québécois 10 5%
Green Party 1 3%
Independent/Other 0 1%
TOTAL 338
A Minority Government 2008 A Majority Government 2015
Majority & Minority Governments
TEACHING TIP: Have 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

8. House of Commons
Representation by Province
ON & QC
199 = 59%}
Ontario 121 (36%)
Quebec 78
British Columbia 42
Alberta 34
Manitoba 14
Saskatchewan 14
Nova Scotia 11
New Brunswick 10
Labrador & Newfoundland 7
Prince Edward Island 4
Northwest Territory 1
Nunavut 1
Yukon Territory 1
TOTAL 338

9. Government and Opposition
Note the “face-off” architecture
of the House of Commons

10. Question Period:
A Unique Parliamentary Institution
See: Model Parliamentary Unit Teaching File
http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/education/mpu/index_e.asp
TEACHING TIP
Have students simulate
question period.
Assign roles such as PM,
Leaders of Opposition
parties, cabinet ministers,
etc.

11. The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau
Ms. Rona Ambrose
Interim Leader –
Conservative Party
Political Party Leaders
With Representation in the House of Commons
M. Rheal Fortín
Interim Leader -
Bloc Québécois
Mrs. Elizabeth MayThe Honourable Thomas Mulcair

12. 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 (2015)

13. Party Name Votes Seats
Liberal 6,930,136 39.5% 20.6% 184 / 338 (54%)
Conservative 5,600,496 31.9% 7.7% 99 / 338 (29%)
New Democratic 3,461,262 19.7% 10.9% 44 / 338 (13%)
Bloc Québécois 818,652 4.7% 1.2% 10 / 338 (3%)
Green 605,864 3.4% 0.5% 1 / 338 (0.3%)
Party Name BC AB SK MB ON QC NB NS PE NL YT NT NU Total
Liberal Seats: 17 4 1 7 80 40 10 11 4 7 1 1 1 184
Conservative Seats: 10 29 10 5 33 12 – – – – – – – 99
New Democratic Seats: 14 1 3 2 8 16 – – – – – – – 44
Bloc Québécois Seats: – – – – – 10 – – – – – – – 10
Green Seats: 1 – – – – – – – – – – – – 1
Independent Seats: 0
Total Seats 42 34 14 14 121 78 10 11 4 7 1 1 1 338
Summary Analysis
6/1/2016: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Results_of_the_Canadian_federal_election,_2015#cite_note-1
2015 Canadian National Election Results
2015 Canadian Election Results by Province

14. My Recommended Reference for Students
and Teachers
Discover,
How Canadians Govern Themselves
http://www.lop.parl.gc.ca/About/Parliament/senatoreugeneforsey/inside_view/canada_usa-e.html

15. Thank You
donald.alper@wwu.edu