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Federal Political Parties in Canada

The following provides information on registered, eligible, and deregistered federal political parties in Canada (current as of January 2006).

Registered Federal Parties

Registration is very important to a political party. Only registered political parties may place their party name next to their candidates’ on election ballots, issue tax-deduction receipts for party donations, and receive certain benefits, such as the allocation of broadcast time during election campaigns. To become registered, a political party must meet requirements under the Canada Elections Act, most important of which is the endorsing of at least one candidate in a general election or by-election.

The major registered federal parties in Canada are:

• Bloc Quebecois
• Conservative Party of Canada
• Liberal Party of Canada
• New Democratic Party of Canada

Bloc Quebecois

With the failure of the Meech Lake Accord in 1990, reforms that would recognize Quebec as a distinct society with special status within Confederation were not adopted. The Quebec independence movement was revived, with Lucien Bouchard leading the way. Bouchard became the first leader of the Bloc Quebecois, a federal political party created out of discontent with the federal government to address the concerns of Quebec. The Bloc Quebecois was registered on September 11, 1993, and won 54 seats in Parliament in the 1993 election, becoming Canada 's official opposition. Located only in Quebec, the Bloc Quebecois is committed to affirming the existence of the Quebecois nation, defending the interests of Quebecois, and demanding recognition of its distinct place within Canada. In a 1995 referendum in Quebec, sovereignty was narrowly defeated and the Bloc Quebecois started to experience internal divisions. There were those in the party who support traditional ethnic nationalism, while others supported a less radical civil nationalism. The unifying feature that has always run through the Bloc Quebecois is Quebec sovereignty.

Conservative Party of Canada

On December 7, 2003 , the Conservative Party was registered with Elections Canada. Formed as a result of a merger between the Canadian Alliance Party and the Progessive Conservative Party, the Conservative Party of Canada was an attempt to “unite the right” and provide a viable alternative to the Liberal Party. Stephen Harper of the Canadian Alliance and Peter McKay of the Progressive Conservatives initiated the merger, and Harper became the first leader of the Conservative Party in March 2004. The Conservative Party maintains broad-based right-wing policies, focusing on a balance between fiscal accountability and progressive social programs. While the two original parties are closely tied on some policy issues, there is potential for division within the merged party on issues such as immigration, multiculturalism, and social issues. The provincial Progressive Conservative Parties were not affected in any way by the merger of the federal parties.

Liberal Party of Canada

The Liberal Party has its roots in the politics of 19th century Canada, with parties such as the Clear Grits in Upper Canada and the Rouges in Lower Canada. In 1916, when Wilfred Laurier was elected Prime Minister, the modern Liberals emerged as a powerful force in Canadian Politics. Laurier capitalized on the alienation felt by French Canada at the hands of the Tories to promote a strong Liberal presence. The Liberal Party was in power in Canada for most of the 20 th century, becoming a registered party on April 4, 1974 , and remained in power into the 21st century. Throughout their leadership, they have focused on policies such as the welfare state, bilingualism, patriation of the constitution, free trade, and multiculturalism. The Liberal party has approached politics from a left-wing perspective, although sometimes being accused of “ruling from the right.” The party maintains that progress in health care, education, economic strength, and relationships in the international community are key factors in their policies.

New Democratic Party of Canada

The NDP has its roots in the social reform movements of the early 20 th century, with well-known activists and politicians such as Agnes Macphail leading the way in the fight for social reform and women's rights. In 1961, a political convention in Ottawa brought together the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation and affiliated unions of the Canadian Labour Congress to form the New Democratic Party. Tommy Douglas was selected as the new leader of the party. Registered on June 7, 1971, the NDP provides a democratic socialist political alternative in Canadian politics. The NDP supports open dialogue and political education to advance its goals of social justice, equality, and democracy. Human rights issues and cultural diversity have always been cornerstones of their party policy. Progressive policies regarding the environment, health care, education, and culture are all included in the basis of the NDP's socialist democratic policies.

Other registered federal parties include:

Canadian Action Party

Paul Hellyer founded in the Canadian Action party in 1997 after much dissatisfaction with Liberal budgets. They were registered on May 13, 1997 , and fielded 70 candidates in the 2000 election. The Canadian Action party is committed to Canadian independence while still maintaining full cooperation in the international community. Specifically, they are concerned with corporate globalization, and want to preserve strong domestic economics in order to maximize the welfare of Canadians. The party is also concerned with the USA 's dominance of Canada, and the abrogation of free trade agreements is an element of this which they pursue.

Christian Heritage Party

The Christian Heritage Party was founded in November 1987 in Hamilton, Ontario, and became a registered political party in April 2004. The first leader of the party was Ed Vanwoudenberg. This party is based upon the preamble of the Canadian constitution, which says that Canada was founded on “principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law.” The policies of the Christian Heritage party focus on Christian perspectives and Biblical ethics.

Communist Party of Canada

The Communist Party was registered on Nov 8, 2000 , but has been active in Canada ever since 1921. Inspired by the 1917 revolution in Russia , members of socialist and working class groups met in Ontario in 1921 to form the Communist Party, and became committed to fighting for workers' rights. Founders of this party include Sam and Julia Carr and Tim Buck. The struggles of workers, women, children, and minorities have played a leading role in the policies of this party. The long-term objective of the Communist Party is to unite the working class and its allies in a movement for socialism in Canada.

The Green Party of Canada

The civil rights, feminist, and peace movements of the 1960s and 1970s provided the roots for this party. The first Green Party was founded in 1983 in British Columbia, and became a registered political party on August 8, 1984 . The long-term vision of the Green Party focuses on a healthy environment and a healthy society. Principles of ecological wisdom, social justice, diversity, gender equality, and sustainability are the basis of the Green Party's policies. A focus on grassroots democracy, bringing all people together to debate issues, is the means by which the Green Party wants to create change in Canada.

Libertarian Party of Canada

The Libertarian Party was founded on the belief that individuals should be free to pursue their own goals without coercion from others. Libertarianism supports civil liberties and a free market economy, and opposes government intervention in reshaping citizen's lives. The Libertarian Party does not oppose government itself, but instead opposes the idea that government can solve all of people's problems. The party was formed in 1975, but lost support throughout the 1980s as parties such as the Bloc Quebecois and Reform became more viable options to promote the principles of Libertarianism. In the 1997 election, the party failed to run the required minimum of 50 candidates and lost its registered party status. In June 2004, the party again achieved registered status.

Marijuana Party of Canada

In 1997, Marc Boris St-Maurice founded the Bloc Pot, a provincial political party in Quebec devoted to legalizing marijuana cultivation, possession, and use. In the 1998 Quebec general election, this party fielded 24 candidates. Their efforts expanded, and on November 6, 2000 , the party was officially registered as a federal political party. The goals of the Marijuana Party of Canada, besides legalization of cannabis, include amending the Canada Elections Act, replacing Canada 's Controlled Substances Act, and providing immediate access to medical cannabis.

Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada

The writings of Hardial Bains have formed the basis of the Marxist-Leninist Party since 1967. The broad aim of this party is to create a socialist society as the transition to communism. On September 28, 1993 , this party was registered with Elections Canada. The Marxist-Leninist party is focused on providing leadership for the working class, along with women and students, in guaranteeing the sovereignty of the people through a class struggle. Other aims of the Marxist-Leninist Party include increased funding for social programs, democratic renewal through a modern constitution, and withdrawing from all economic and military international agreements as a way to renew international relations.

Progressive Party of Canada

The Progressive Canadian Party became eligible for registration with Elections Canada on March 26, 2004. This party was formed as a reaction to the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservatives into the Conservative Party of Canada in late 2003. Organized by former Progressive Conservative MPs such as Joe Hueglin, the Progressive Canadian Party is intended to be the successor of the federal Progressive Conservatives. It is intended to be centrist party, with many of its candidates being former Progressive Conservatives who could not reconcile themselves with the policies of the new Conservative Party.

Eligible Political Parties

Eligible political parties are those that have been declared eligible for registration, but have not yet endorsed at least one candidate in a general election or by-election. An eligible political party cannot place its name next to its candidates’ on election ballots, and will not be able to take advantage of the benefits provided to registered parties, such as the allocation of broadcast time during election campaigns and the ability to issue tax receipts for donations.

Eligible federal parties in Canada include:

Western Block Party

Doug Christie founded the Western Block Party in 2005. The objective of the Party is the separation of Western Canada (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba) from the rest of Canada, and the creation of an independent nation. The Party holds that there is an imbalance in Canadian federalism in which national institutions favour the interests of Central Canada (Ontario and Quebec). Headquartered in Victoria, British Columbia, the Party was declared eligible for registration in June 2005, with full registration pending the Party’s endorsement of at least one candidate in a general election or by-election.

Animal Alliance Environment Voters Party of Canada

Associates of two organizations, the Animal Alliance of Canada and the Environment Voters, established the Animal Alliance Environment Voters Party in 2005. The Party seeks to promote progressive environmental and animal protection policies at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels. The Party was formed following the passing of federal legislation that placed limits on the election activities of “third parties”, such as the Animal Alliance and the Environment Voters. The Party was declared eligible for registration in August 2005, with full registration pending the Party’s endorsement of al least one candidate in a general election or by-election.

Deregistered Political Parties

Deregistered parties are those that were previously registered but, through either a voluntary or involuntary process, have had their registration rescinded. As such, deregistered political parties are ineligible for any of the benefits conferred to political parties, such as the right to place their party name next to their candidates on election ballots.

Deregistered federal parties include:

Natural Law Party of Canada

Registered on September 23, 1993 , the Natural Law Party advocated “natural law” as the supreme organizing principle that governs the universe. They promoted the pursuit of world peace and universal health through following the natural law. The Natural Law Party was the Canadian branch of the International Natural Law Party, the political arm of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's Transcendental Meditation Movement. The party ran 69 candidates in the 2000 federal election but failed to win a seat. They were deregistered on January 23, 2004.

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