The Canadian political system as it is presently known was first drafted by the fathers of the confederation in 1864. This act became the constitution in 1867 and made Canada a sovereign democracy. At present, Canada is an independent federal state with the Queen of England still as the Head of state. Though her powers are pretty limited and merely used as a figurehead for the “Royal Assent”. The political structure in Canada is that of a parliament and there are three main sections of the Canadian Parliament.
The three houses are the Queen as the Head of state, the senate, and the elected House of Commons. The federal has the right to make laws regarding peace, order, International policies, Defense, Immigration, Criminal Law, Customs, and Border Control.
The Canadian political institution which would be used as a case study for this research paper would be the House of Commons. The real power of the House of Parliament is held by the members of the House of Commons.
The members are elected by the general public during a federal election normally every five years. The country is split into constituencies and whichever candidate gets the most votes in his/her constituency is elected as a member. At present, the main parties prevailing in Canada are the Liberals, Conservatives, New democratic system, The Bloc Quebecois, and the Green Party to name some of the largest ones.
The main duties of these members include debating the laws to be made and depending on the party whether their position is that in favor of the government or opposition to the government.
This political institution is a vital part of the Canadian political system as a strong opposition can ensure that the controversial bills are disapproved via this procedure.
All the legislation introduced into the Canadian political system has to be passed as a law of the country. This law-making process starts by introducing a “Bill” which is firstly read and then printed without any debate taking place.
After the second reading, proper debating takes place and if approved the bill is passed and then send to the Committee stage. Once the testimony is heard, and the report is examined and amended then the final debates take place and the voting takes place. If approved, the bill becomes Canadian law.
The above research presented the functioning of the House of Commons and now, it would be evaluated in terms of whether the House is functioning as it should- in terms of competency, efficiency, and effectiveness. The question that confronts Canada’s entire political system and especially its most vital part; the House of Commons, is whether it can deal effectively and authoritatively with the issues and challenges facing Canada in the new millennium.
Canada’s federal system constitutionally divides the powers and responsibilities between the central and regional governments. While some groups identify with the central government, as their interests are rich in scope other groups tend to attach themselves to provincial-level governments. Due to this economic conflict is created which has a damaging impact on the functioning of the House of Commons.
This issue arises partially as a result of the fact that the Canadian provinces have strong provincial autonomy but another concern is the fact that the vital element of the system; the House of Commons does not appropriately deal with and address these regional concerns and 2interests. The case often is that the House operates in a manner those results in increasing the discontent prevailing in the provinces already.
Since the House of Commons is a democratic body, hence the members get elected by an electoral procedure. This electoral process has faced a lot of criticism from numerous people. The rationale behind this is the fact that that individual who gains a majority of votes; regardless of whether this presents the majority of votes cast, is elected. This system is used in only a few other countries and results in penalizing those individuals who might have widespread but thin support while rewarding such parties which have region-wise strength of voters.
Though it is not unanimously agreed upon that reforms are required; it cannot be ignored that if certain institutional changes were introduced that would have a positive impact on the intensity and character of the regionalism in Canada.
Public policies can also have an important effect on the functioning f the political system. The national policy which was introduced between the 1880s and the 1930s; the eastern and western states were placed at a disadvantage and certain unfavorable economic costs were borne by these states.
Another issue that the ineffective to a certain extent House of Commons had been unable to resolve has been the issue of the aboriginal demands which have as yet to be fulfilled; these demands pertain to earlier wrongs committed against them, equitable large settlements, unraveling of the social bonds of their communities and self-governments which have become another issue for the political bodies of Canada.
The aboriginal leaders have become increasingly unhappy with the way the House of Commons has responded and tried to solve the issue- hinting at the fact their certain reformation policies are required to deal with these challenges. While some believe that change in certain areas is too rampant others believe that change is insufficient.
Globalization affects the political system of Canada as well. It has resulted in the weakening of the way the House of Commons operates because the House of Commons has become so ineffectual. The citizens of Canada have has to look elsewhere –other than at the government- for aid to raise concern and address the negative impacts being felt as a result of this global progress…
Further explanation and outlining are required of the current political system and its dilemmas to try to come up with a viable reform model. Firstly, one thing that has to become profusely clear is the fact that the traditional House of Commons is undergoing a diminishing capacity to respond effectively to the increasing issues and demands of a society that has become increasingly educated and activist.
Besides, this major issue the other major concern is the fact that the people of Canada have lost faith and confidence in this traditional setup. This discontent has been experienced across nations whenever a government or a certain ruling system fails to deliver years after years.
This discontent can be witnessed by the decreasing levels of voter turnout in national polls, the rise of anti-government parties, and the growing interest with vehicles of democratic which in other words are “direct”. This form of direct democracy includes referenda, citizen initiatives.
From what can be seen; the fact is that these traditional organizations and political democracy have run its course and the new order of the day is “extra-parliamentary activity”.
Canadians have become increasingly discontent with the dying Conservative party and the inept Liberals. The political system remains a cause for much speculation, with the parliamentary government reduced to the kind of cynical politics and manipulation that can be found in certain floundering democracies.
The reform that can be introduced and has been introduced in the recent decade has helped resolve some of the anti-establishment façades including the referendum defeat of the Charlottetown accord and the evisceration of the Conservatives which helped to reduce some of the overt hostility.
The referendum in 1995 in fact, was a political movement that helped in several ways to reduce the distrust that the citizens had in the government. Te voters have become increasingly aware and therefore, the people getting elected by these voters are now more competent than they were before.
As a result, of provincial autonomy, the provincial governments have taken charge of provincial issues and that has further increased the confidence of the people in the government.
Therefore, through a better voting system, greater provincial autonomy, actions like referendum. The government can improve its effective role as the governing authority. The government has taken a number of initiatives that have resulted in United Nations ranking Canada as the country with the best “quality of life”.
The intense loathing of the citizens that the citizens had for the government has over the years decreased as a result of the reforming actions and in the recent past, the variant of the liberal Government improved its share of the popular vote and the seats in the House of Commons and hence, it can be sent hat the people’s faith has been resorted.
The fact that after the referendum conducted in 1995; there was no violence and acts of uncivilized behavior was reduced by a large extent proving the extent to which the Canadian government has achieved the trust of the nation.
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