Political Participation in Canada: Analysis of Political Systems, Scandals, and Election Campaigns

This article explores the political participation in Canada by evaluating the political systems, scandals, and election campaigns. It analyzes a political cartoon, a newspaper story, a magazine article, a press release, and an editorial to understand the importance of people involved and identify biases. The analysis highlights the need for inclusive and united politics in Canada.

Running head: POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Introduction
Canada being an extension of the British colonies derived its political framework from
the English and is maintained to this day. Being one of the strongest democracies of the world
Canada has a unique political system that is federal and monarchial at the same time. The
political framework of the country is based on the parliamentary democracy with federal system
of government with a strong parliamentary democratic lineage and tradition. Canada also has a
monarch as a head of the state which is derived from the British lineage which operates as a
constitutional monarchy. This paper will look into the political participation of Canada by
evaluating the political systems that are prevalent in Canada, the framework of the political
system, the electoral system, the political parties and their election campaign, the direct
democracy and the referendum. This will be done by analyzing five items including a political
cartoon, a newspaper story, a magazine article, a press release and an editorial. The analysis will
be based on the importance of the people involved, identification of biases if there are any and so
on.

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Item 1: Political Cartoon
Title: ‘Trudeau? Scandal? I don’t believe it’: As controversy rocks Canada’s PM, the
world winces — then shrugs
Analysis: In this political cartoon created by Graeme Mackay, the author has
demonstrated the troubles that face the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. While describing the
cartoon, the creator remarks about the recent scandal that has shocked not only the Canadian
citizens but also the political galleries of the world. The author, through the cartoon,
demonstrates the situation Trudeau is going through and likens it with the situation of Theresa
May, Britain’s Prime Minister (MacKay, 2019). The scandal involved Jody Wilson-Raybould,
the former Attorney general and Minister of Justice who has accused Justin Trudeau and cabinet
for pressuring her to drop charges of criminal corruption against SNC-Lavalin, a Quebec-based

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engineering company. The news broke in February and since then has hit progressing image of
the Prime Minister badly.
In the given cartoon, the author shows Trudeau vacationing in some island while talking
over his phone to Theresa May and explains his situation while pointing at the media, the
opposition and the party members. The placement of the ‘sunny ways lotion’ is probably the way
of the author demonstrating Trudeau’s desperation to come out of the scandal. The one thing that
is missing from the cartoon is a reference to Jody Wilson-Raybould.
Reference: MacKay, G. (2019). Thursday March 14, 2019. Retrieved from
https://mackaycartoons.net/2019/03/21/thursday-march-14-2019/
Link: https://mackaycartoons.net/2019/03/21/thursday-march-14-2019/

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Item 2: Newspaper story
Article title: Desperately in need of city’s support, Notley gets passionate about Calgary
Analysis: In this news story published in the National Post, author Don Braid highlights
the desperation of Calgary’s NDP leader Rachel Notley to win the elections due to be held on
April 2019. The author, while describing the political campaign by Notley states that the
campaign has taken a turn with the candidate declaring an “all-out love for Calgary”. The author
notes that this sudden love for Calgary is a political strategy of the NDP candidate to draw voters
on emotional grounds. The author takes a dig at the NDP candidates love for Calgary and states,
“Notley wasn’t wearing a Flames jersey – yet. There are still two weeks to go” (Nationalpost.,
2019).
As evident from the author’s description, a certain bias is evident. The author making fun
of the candidate’s supposed love for the constituency shows that there is some bias associated
with it. The author further highlights the continuous attacks of the NDP leader against the UCP
leader Jason Kenny and states that this is not making any inroads for Notley in Calgary.
Overall, the news story discusses relevant election news for the readers although inclines
slightly towards one candidate, the UCP Leader Jason Kenney. This is evident from his support
for Kenney’s plans for Calgary as he states that these plans resonate with most Calgarian voters.
Reference: Nationalpost (2019). Don Braid: Desperately in need of city’s support, Notley gets
passionate about Calgary. Retrieved from https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/braid-notley-
gets-passionate-about-calgary-vows-undying-support/wcm/fc318907-8a19-4339-ac5a-
95b2d171035d
Link: https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/braid-notley-gets-passionate-about-calgary-vows-
undying-support/wcm/fc318907-8a19-4339-ac5a-95b2d171035d
Item 3: Magazine article
Article title: Canada's Trudeau Ousts Two Ex-Ministers From the Ruling Party Amid
Scandal
Analysis: This article was published in Time Magazine where the scandal surrounding
the Justin Trudeau and the consequent steps taken by the Prime Minister has been highlighted.

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Rob Gillies, the author of the article focused on the ousting of two important members – one
former attorney general and another minister of the Liberal party caucus – from the parliament
(Time.com, 2019). The author states that the incident has rocked the nation and the government
in particular in the year of elections.
Judy Wilson-Raybould and Jane Philpott, the former attorney general and cabinet
minister respectively, were fired from their positions. The decision came as a response to the
continued opposing remarks made by the two against the government regarding the SNC-Lavalin
scandal. The article includes details of the scandal and the remarks of the two women in question
about the Prime Minister’s decision.
The article has little evidence of bias as the opinions of both parties – Justin Trudeau and
the two ousted members – have been given equal space in it. however, the inclusion of Nelson
Wiseman’s opinion, the professor of political science at the University of Toronto at the end of
the article raises some questions. The professor states that Wilson-Raybould is aiming to replace
Trudeau given the upcoming elections see the present PM’s exit. This remark has some hint of
biasness in favor of the government.
Reference: Time.com. (2019). http://time.com. Retrieved from http://time.com/5563236/canada-
justin-trudeau-ousts-attorney-general-minister/
Link: http://time.com/5563236/canada-justin-trudeau-ousts-attorney-general-minister/
Item 4: Press Release
Title: Media release - The People’s Party of Canada Nominates Strong Candidates for BC
By-Elections
Analysis: It was released in January 2019 by the People’s Party of Canada regarding its
nomination of candidates in British Columbia for the by-elections. In the press release, it was
mentioned that the party announced the names of Jennifer Clarke and Laura-Lynn Tyler
Thompson as Burnaby South and Nanaimo-Ladysmith candidates ("Media release - The People’s
Party of Canada Nominates Strong Candidates for BC By-Elections", 2019). The press release is
significant in terms of elections and political parties in Canada because it is by a party that has
been formed until recently.

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The voters in Canada now have other options to choose from when it comes to selecting
their representatives. The press release also reveals the credibility of the two candidates thus
providing a better view of the probable representatives that the people might opt for in the
elections. In the press release, the two candidates’ profiles have been provided. The voters are
provided with important details about the candidate by which they would be able to use their
votes effectively.
However, it must be mentioned that since this is a press release provided by the party
itself, it does not provide any information that might not be in favor of the candidates. Here, the
bias is bound to be present, as the party would not mention any negative thing about its
candidates. Another important thing to notice is that the two candidates do not possess any
substantial political experience.
Reference: Media release - The People’s Party of Canada Nominates Strong Candidates for BC
By-Elections. (2019). Retrieved from
https://www.peoplespartyofcanada.ca/media_release_the_people_s_party_of_canada_nominates
_strong_candidates_for_bc_by_elections
Link:
https://www.peoplespartyofcanada.ca/media_release_the_people_s_party_of_canada_nominates
_strong_candidates_for_bc_by_elections

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Item 5: Editorial
Title: Globe editorial: Race, elections and the meaning of ‘representation’
Analysis: The editorial was published on January 2019 in the leading Canadian
newspaper The Globe and Mail that focused on the importance of race in elections. The riding
that has been highlighted in the editorial is Burnaby South in the British Columbia, the urban
Canadian riding. The editorial provides statistics of residents residing in the riding who belong to
different race. As per the statistics, of the 2016 census, 112,000 in Burnaby South have origins in
more than one country and that include Philippines, China, Europe and South Asian countries
(Theglobeandmail.com, 2019).
The editorial then explains the political campaign carried out by the political parties in
the state and the way they used race as a tool to attract voters. The Liberal party candidate Karen
Wing appealed to the voters of the riding stating that she shares their racial characteristic that the
opposition party does not. In the opposition, it was Jagmeet Singh, the NDP leader from Indian
descent. This appeal was condemned by all alike and led to the resignation of Karen Wing. This
incident brought forth the fact that Canada is a representative democracy where representation is
defined in unclear terms, as the editorial states.
In the editorial, there is no evidence of bias. Rather, the editorial questions the biased
appeals of the candidates to their voters stating that it is against the actual foundation of
Canadian democracy.
Reference: Theglobeandmail.com. (2019). Globe editorial: Race, elections and the meaning of
‘representation’. Retrieved from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/editorials/article-
globe-editorial-race-elections-and-the-meaning-of-representation/
Link: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/editorials/article-globe-editorial-race-
elections-and-the-meaning-of-representation/

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Conclusion
To conclude, it could be stated that the Canadian politics is yet to reach the standards it
now boasts of and for that, it has to ensure political participation of people from all ethnicity. As
found in the analysis, the recent political state of affairs has not been the best for Canada as a
nation with its Prime Minister being involved in scandals. The SNC-Lavalin scandal involving
PM Justin Trudeau and two former women members of his cabinet has marred the so-called
progressive image of the present government. In addition, the analysis found that some political
leaders appeal to their ethnic voters while highlighting the ethnic differences of their opposition
parties. This is a negative way to ask for votes or campaign for elections because it hampers the
strong foundation of the nation that has been built upon diversity and unity. With elections round
the corner, it is important for the political parties in Canada that they focus on the nation as one
rather than playing divisive politics.