ELECTIONS

J. Marshall 2007

Every Canadian gets 1 vote in the federal election which occurs about

every 4 years when the ruling party has a majority

and about every 2 years when the ruling party has a minority.

An election must be called within five years of a party

coming to power. This period is called an election term.

In Canada, the party that wins the majority, rules.

The majority = 1/2 x Seats + 1Ex. 1/2 x 301 + 1 = 151Ex. 1/2 x 308 + 1 = 155

IF the biggest winner gets less than that, they form a MINORITY government.

Determine the Type of Gov’t

Majority Government

WinnerOthers

Determine the Type of Gov’t

Minority Government

OthersWinner

The Distribution of Seats Determines the Gov’t:

143 Conservative

4 B.Q. 1 Green102 NDP45 Liberal

Speaker

Last election: 2011

There were 308 seats in the Commons (2011):

After Oct 19, 2015 there will be 338 seats.

1 Vacant

Election Scenario A

Liberal 100Conservative 110Bloc 35NDP 63TOTAL 308

Biggest

Remainder

Conclusion: Majority Minority

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Election Scenario B

Liberal 158Conservative 111Bloc 22NDP 17TOTAL 308

Biggest

Remainder

Conclusion: Majority Minority

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Election Scenario C

Liberal 85Conservative 210Green 7NDP 6TOTAL 308

Biggest

Remainder

Conclusion: Majority Minority

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Election Scenario D

Liberal 77Conservative 76Bloc 76NDP 79TOTAL 308

Biggest

Remainder

Conclusion: Majority Minority

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Election Scenario E

Liberal 119Conservative 96Bloc 35NDP 58TOTAL 308

Biggest

Remainder

Conclusion: Majority Minority

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Election Scenario F

Liberal 21Conservative 273Green 1NDP 13TOTAL 308

Biggest

Remainder

Conclusion: Majority Minority

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The Current House