How Democratic is Canada's Parliamentary System?
Canadian History:
How Democratic is Canada's Parliamentary System?
By: Rachel Williams
Course: CH1-4U
Teacher: Ms. Whelan
Date: December 5, 2003
Canada's parliamentary system, although modeled after its British Imperial motherland, is completely unique to Canada. After careful analysis, it is evident that while it may not be democratic in theory or law, Canada's parliamentary system is most definitely democratic in practice. Democracy is defined as the free and equal right of every person to participate in a system of government; this is often practiced by electing representatives of the people by the people. In Canada, democracy is shown through among other things, its election process which involves the equal right of every citizen to vote. Also, democracy is apparent through Canada's House of Commons, who are elected members of parliament and finally, through the role that the Prime Minister is plays in the governmental system.
Canada's election process is an essential part of its parliamentary system and what makes the structure democratic in practice. For example, in Canada "all Canadian citizens [of] at least 18 years of age on election day are eligible to vote, with very few exceptions."i In fact, as of October 31, 2002 law was changed to allow even people serving all types of prison sentences to vote.ii Obviously, this demonstrates the democratic nature of the system as it allows all citizens to participate in government without any bias or prejudice. Furthermore, Canada only employs non partisan election officers, which means that the election process is never unfair and no one is discriminated against during the election process.iii Basically anyone can be a candidate in an election as long as they are over 18 years of age.iv This is a sign of a very democratic society as anyone is able to run in an election if they can complete the required forms and get financial support. Overall, the election process in Canada is democratic in law and in practice.
Moreover, Canada's House of Commons contains only elected members and therefore makes the parliamentary system very democratic. "In each of the country's 301 constituencies, or ridings, the candidate who gets the largest number of votes is elected to the House of Commons."v This indicates that the whole Canadian population is being represented through its elected members. Usually Members of Parliament...are...elected for [no] more than five years,"vi so the government is ever changing with the wishes of its citizens. The citizens are in complete control of their government, and this indicates a democratic society. Most importantly, the house of ...
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Moreover, Canada's House of Commons contains only elected members and therefore makes the parliamentary system very democratic. "In each of the country's 301 constituencies, or ridings, the candidate who gets the largest number of votes is elected to the House of Commons."v This indicates that the whole Canadian population is being represented through its elected members. Usually Members of Parliament...are...elected for [no] more than five years,"vi so the government is ever changing with the wishes of its citizens. The citizens are in complete control of their government, and this indicates a democratic society. Most importantly, the house of commons are the people introducing the bills and basically controlling legislature in Canada.vii Because the elected house is controlling the legislature, the citizens are controlling the law and becoming involved in government. The House of commons is obviously an essential part of how democratic the parliamentary system is.
In Canada, the Prime Minister reflects the party that has the most number of seats in the house of Commons; this allows for the parliamentary system to be very representational of the citizens wishes and is democratic. Most often, the Prime Minister is a member of parliament in the House of Commons. This means that the PM is elected and has the ability to introduce bills.viii Also, the PM can only become the leader once his party has won the most amount of seats in Parliament.ix This means that the Prime Minister is an excellent representation of the wishes of the citizen. Unlike Canada, in the United States, the individual president is elected and is not necessarily from the same party as the leaders in the upper and lower houses. In this situation, the legislative and the executive branch do not work together, and many bills are vetoed.x This system is not as democratic as one individual has the power to stop legislature. Finally, the Prime Minister has to be elected by his/her party to be the leader.xi This indicates that the leader of the country is going to be the best representation of his/her party and the best leader for the country. This system is democratic because even the leader has to be voted in by its party, who have been formed by Canadian citizens. Overall, the Canadian Parliamentary system is relatively democratic because of the role of the Prime Minister and the way in which he receives his title.
On the other hand, the Canadian parliamentary system could be considered very undemocratic in law and in practice. Firstly, the senate, which is appointed by the governor general, are not elected and are therefore not democratic. The senate has the ability to stop laws from being passed, and therefore has control in legislature which is undemocratic. Secondly, if the Prime Ministers cabinet does not support him, he can ask them to resign, basically meaning that they have to resign. This is not democratic as anyone from the cabinet with a different opinion can not voice that opinion without being removed. This is a symbol of an autocratic government and not a democratic one. Finally, in the house of commons, the pressure to vote with ones party is very strong, even if the individual has a different personal opinion. When individuals do not vote with their party, they can not be expected to "move up" in the political world. The pressure to vote with ones party is undemocratic as it stops the individual from participating in government, and gives to much power to the party. Ultimately Canada's parliamentary system could be considered not democratic because of some of its principle structures and practices.
The above arguments, although convincing at first glance, are not reasonable in their claims. Although the senate does exist, it has not stopped a bill form being passed in the last 40 years.xii The Houses of commons often does not have time to look over bills thoroughly. The senate, however, "goes over bills clause by clause and hears evidence, often voluminous, from groups and individuals who would be affected by the particular bill under review."xiii Therefore, the senate plays a very important role, and in practice, is relatively democratic. Moreover, the cabinet of the Prime Minister is there to help the Prime Minister. A disagreement could cause issues in the legislature. Therefore, if a minister is asked to resign, they can just go back to being a normal Member of Parliament. This is not undemocratic, it is simply reasonable and helpful. Finally, although the pressure to vote with ones party is strong, it is not law. Ultimately, it may stop an individual from "getting ahead" in the political system, but an individual can always vote against their party when passing a law. Therefore, it is evident after closer look that the Canadian Parliamentary system is relatively democratic.
Ultimately, the Canadian Parliamentary system is democratic in part because of its election process, its House of Commons, and the role of its Prime Minister. Although many Canadians feel that the Canadian Parliamentary system could be more democratic, worldwide, Canada is looked upon as a strong, self-governing nation. Democracy is an incredibly important principle in developing a nations legislature, structure, and identity. Since its confederation in 1867, Canada has moved closer and closer to becoming a more democratic nation, and it continues to do so today.
i "Canada's Electoral System," Elections Canada Homepage. 20 September 2001,
<http://www.elections.ca/content.asp?section=gen&document=index&dir=ces&lang=e&textonly=false>
ii "The Chief Electoral Officer of Canada Announces the Application of the Supreme Court Decision on the Voting Rights of Incarcerated Electors," Elections Canada Homepage. 31 October 2002,
<http://www.elections.ca/content.asp?section=med&document=oct3102&dir=pre&lang=e&textonlyfalse>
iii same as i
iv "Election Handbook for Candidates, their Official Agents and Auditors," Elections Canada Homepage. 22 February 2002,
<http://www.elections.ca/content.asp?section=pol&document=2019002&dir=ehc&lang=e&anchor=2.1&textonly=false#2.1>
v Forsey, E. How Canadians Govern Themselves (Ottawa: Library of Parliament, 1980), p.50.
vi Forsey p.4
vii Forsey p.38
viiiForsey p.52
ixForsey p.4
xForsey p.35
xiForsey p.39
xii Forsey p.49
xiii Forsey p.49