Coalition Governments in Canada
Coalition governments have been rare in Canadian history; however, the ones that have existed had have important impacts on Canadian politics. This article describes the nature of coalition governments in Canada, including a basic definition of coalition governments, an overview of different types of coalitions, and a historical perspective on coalition governments in Canada.
Office of the Governor General of Canada
The Office of Governor General is one of the least discussed political institutions in Canadian politics, yet represents one of the most historical and symbolic offices in the nation’s system of government. In recent years, the Office of Governor General has been the focus of some debate in Canada, with some questioning its overall relevance, while others have taken issue with the costs of running the Office, and spending by the Governor General.
Elections Canada: History, Organization, and Key Activities
Elections Canada (also known as the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer) is a key agency in the federal government and Canada’s democratic system. Responsible for conducting federal electoral events, Elections Canada plays a significant role in ensuring that Canada’s electoral system operates in an open and impartial manner. The following feature article provides an introduction to Elections Canada’s history, organizational structure, and key activities.
Canada’s Human Rights Commission System: Introduction to the Canadian Human Rights Commission and Tribunal
The Canadian human rights commission system is constituted by two key federal agencies: the Canadian Human Rights Commission and the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. These agencies administer, promote, and adjudicate Canada’s federal human rights and employment equity legislation. This article provides an introduction to the history, role, structure, and key issues concerning these agencies.
The Canadian Human Rights Act: Introduction to Canada’s Federal Human Rights Legislation
One of Canada’s central rights documents is the Canadian Human Rights Act, which protects Canadians’ against discriminated against in areas of federal jurisdiction. This article presents the purpose and history of the Act, and provides an overview of its key provisions, application and administration.
2008 Canadian Federal Election: Results and Summary
On October 14, 2008, Canadians returned Stephen Harper and Conservative Party of Canada to a second minority government. In this feature, learn more about the results of the 2008 federal election, including an overview of the results, discussions of key factors/non-factors in the election, and an examination of the election’s impact.
2008 Election Campaign Political Party Platforms
Find a summary of the campaign platforms for each of the federal political parties in Canada. Links to the official platforms for the Conservative Party of Canada, Liberal Party of Canada, New Democratic Party of Canada, and the Green Party of Canada are also available.
2008 Canadian Election Issues and Events
Find a detailed articled outline the key issues and events in the 2008 federal election in Canada, including the minority/majority government question, the economy, leadership, the environment, and Canada in Afghanistan.
