- "The politics of Canada function within a framework of parliamentary democracy and a federal system of parliamentary government with strong democratic traditions."
The study of the political institutions, systems, and processes that shape Canadian governance and policy-making.
The Canadian Constitution: The Constitution Act, 1867, and the Constitution Act, 1982, establish how Canada is governed and outlines the division of powers between the federal and provincial/territorial governments.
The Parliamentary System: The system of governance, where the legislative branch, led by the Prime Minister, represents the people and creates the laws.
The Federal System: The federal structure of government, where power is shared between the national government and the provincial/territorial governments.
Elections and Voting: The electoral process, paying attention to the various methods of voting, the importance of voter turnout, and the functions of various governing bodies like Elections Canada.
The Political Parties and Campaigns: Understanding the ideology and policies of the leading political parties, their background, and the role of candidates, volunteers, and party staff during election campaigns.
The Public Policy: The public policies that have a significant influence on Canadian society, such as health care, education, and social welfare, and how they are determined.
The Canadian Economy: The critical drivers of the Canadian economy, such as international trade, natural resources, and the role of the government.
Indigenous Politics: The issues related to the rights and self-determination of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people, and how their perspectives influence the Canadian political discourse.
The Criminal Justice System: The structure of the Canadian criminal justice system, including the police, the courts, and the prisons, and the policies that govern them.
The Media and Public Opinion: The role of media in the political process and how public opinion shapes political decisions.
Canada's Relationship with the USA: The relationship between Canada and the United States, looking at both the economic and political dimensions.
Canadian Immigration and Multiculturalism: The role of immigration policies and the cultural diversity of Canadian society in shaping its political landscape.
The Federal Budget: The allocation of the government's resources and how the federal budget is formulated and executed.
International Relations: Canada's role in international organizations such as the United Nations and its diplomatic relations with other countries.
Federal politics: This refers to the politics and policies of the Canadian government on a national level.
Provincial politics: Each province in Canada has its own unique political system and government, which addresses local issues such as healthcare, education, and transportation.
Municipal politics: Municipalities are responsible for delivering services such as water, waste management and public transportation. Municipal politics deal with the governance and administration of cities and towns within a specific province.
Indigenous politics: As Indigenous people make up a significant proportion of the population in Canada, Indigenous politics deal with the issues and policies that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Canada.
International politics: This refers to Canada's relationship with other countries and the policies and decisions that are made regarding international trade, diplomacy, peacekeeping, and more.
Party politics: The political parties in Canada have their own political ideologies and agendas, which they promote through their candidates and elected representatives.
Environmental politics: This refers to the policies and decisions made in Canada around environmental issues such as climate change, pollution, and natural resource management.
Economic politics: Economic policies in Canada are set by the federal, provincial, and municipal governments to promote economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development.
Social politics: Social policies in Canada address issues related to poverty, health care, education, housing, and other social services.
Criminal justice politics: This pertains to the policies and decisions that are made regarding law enforcement, the justice system, and penal institutions.
Gender politics: This refers to the policies and decisions made regarding gender equity, empowerment of women, and anti-discrimination against marginalized genders.
Immigration politics: Policies and decisions on immigration and refugee status fall under this category.
Education politics: This refers to policies and decision-making processes within the education system in Canada.
Health politics: Policies and decisions regarding the healthcare system in Canada, including the provision of medical care, insurance, and funding, fall under this category.
Housing politics: Policies and decisions about the availability and affordability of housing in Canada fall under this category.
- "Canada is a constitutional monarchy, in which the monarch is head of state."
- "In practice, the executive powers are directed by the Cabinet, a committee of ministers of the Crown responsible to the elected House of Commons of Canada and chosen and headed by the Prime Minister of Canada."
- "Canada is described as a 'full democracy', with a tradition of liberalism, and an egalitarian, moderate political ideology."
- "Extremism has never been prominent in Canadian politics."
- "Peace, order, and good government, alongside an Implied Bill of Rights, are founding principles of the Canadian government."
- "An emphasis on social justice has been a distinguishing element of Canada's political culture."
- "The country has a multi-party system."
- "The two dominant political parties in Canada have historically been the current Liberal Party of Canada and the Conservative Party of Canada."
- "Parties like the New Democratic Party, the Quebec nationalist Bloc Québécois, and the Green Party of Canada have grown in prominence, exerting their own influence to the political process."
- "Party discipline in Canada is stronger than in the United Kingdom."
- "More parliamentary votes are considered motions of confidence, which tends to diminish the role of non-Cabinet members of parliament (MPs)."
- "Such members, in the government caucus, and junior or lower-profile members of opposition caucuses, are known as backbenchers."
- "Backbenchers can, however, exert their influence by sitting in parliamentary committees, like the Public Accounts Committee or the National Defence Committee."
- "Many of its legislative practices derive from the unwritten conventions of and precedents set by the Westminster parliament of the United Kingdom."
- "Canada has placed emphasis on equality and inclusiveness for all its people."
- "Canada is described as a 'full democracy'."
- "The two dominant political parties in Canada have historically been the current Liberal Party of Canada and the Conservative Party of Canada."
- "Backbenchers can exert their influence by sitting in parliamentary committees, like the Public Accounts Committee or the National Defence Committee."
- "The traditional 'brokerage' model of Canadian politics leaves little room for ideology."