Minority governments, although relatively rare in Canadian parliamentary history, have played important roles in Canadian politics. This article introduces minority governments, providing information on how governments are formed in Canada, differences between minority, majority and coalition governments, how minority governments govern, as well as some benefits and drawbacks of minority governments.
[Read more…] about Minority Governments in Canada2007 Manitoba General Election
On May 22, 2007, Manitobans re-elected the New Democratic Party and Premier Gary Doer to a majority government. The election held historical significance, as it was the first time the New Democrats had won three consecutive majorities, and only the second time in Manitoba history that such a feat had been accomplished. This article provides an overview of the 2007 Manitoba General Election, including information on the electoral process, recent provincial election history, policies and leaders of the majority political parties, and the results of the vote.
[Read more…] about 2007 Manitoba General ElectionThe Monarchy in Canada
Canada has a long monarchical tradition, beginning with the chief leadership of Aboriginal groups, the rule of French monarchs in New France, and British monarchs in Canada. This article presents Canada’s monarchal traditions and institutions: it discusses the concept of monarchy, its history in Canada, its relationship with other governmental institutions, the profile of the current monarchy, as well as the debates and issues facing the monarchy in Canada.
[Read more…] about The Monarchy in CanadaRomanow Commission on the Future of Health Care
In 2002, the Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada, headed by former Saskatchewan Premier Roy Romanow, released two reports on the nation’s health care system. The Commission’s findings and recommendations have taken a central place in the debate on the value and future of Canada’s public healthcare system. The purpose of this article is to provide an introduction to the Commission’s key findings and recommendations and, in so doing, review the Commission’s organization and activities, as well as summarizing both its interim report, Shape the Future of Health Care, and its final report, Building on Values: The Future of Health Care in Canada.
[Read more…] about Romanow Commission on the Future of Health Care2002 Mazankowski Report on Health Care in Alberta
In 2002, several key reports on the future of health care were released, each of which outlined visions for reforming the Canadian health care system. At the federal level, there was the Report of the Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada (the “Romanow Report”) and the Report of the Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology (the “Kirby Report”). At the provincial level, the Government of Alberta released the 2002 Report of the Premier’s Advisory Council on Health (commonly referred to as the “Mazankowski Report”). This article provides background on the Mazankowski Report, as well as an overview and analysis of its themes and recommendations.
[Read more…] about 2002 Mazankowski Report on Health Care in Alberta2007 Quebec General Election
On March 26, 2007, Quebec voters returned Jean Charest and the Quebec Liberal Party to power, albeit as a minority government (the first in Quebec in almost 130 years). Moreover, the election was a huge success for the upstart Action démocratique du Québec, under Mario Dumont, who won 41 seats and attained the status of Official Opposition (prior to the election, the Party only had four seats). The fall to third party status for the Parti Québécois, led by André Boisclair, creates a question mark for the longterm future of the Party and its goal of Quebec sovereignty. This article provides an overview of the 2007 general election, with discussions of voter regulations, Quebec electoral history, key political parties, and election issues and results.
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