How Democratic is Canada's Parliamentary System?

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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.
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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 ...

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