Since the 1980s, voter turnout in federal elections has fallen sharply. In the 1988 general election, 75 percent of eligible voters participated. In the 2006 general election, only 64.7 percent voted. This article discusses the issue of decreasing voter turnout; in particular, it examines historical trends in the level of voter participation, potential reasons for dropping voter rates, as well as possible initiatives to increase citizen participation.
[Read more…] about Voter Turnout in CanadaHistory of the Canadian Constitution
The Canadian Constitution is the backbone of Canada’s political and legal systems. An amalgamation of codified acts, unwritten traditions and conventions, the Constitution outlines both the structure of government and the civil rights of its citizens. The Constitution of Canada is defined in section 52(2) of the Constitution Act, 1982 (including the Charter of Rights and Freedoms), as consisting of the Canada Act 1982, all acts and orders referred to in the schedule (including the Constitution Act, 1867), and any amendments to these documents. Additionally, according to the Supreme Court of Canada, the Constitution includes all British legislation that predates or modifies the British North America Act, as well as any unwritten conventions.
[Read more…] about History of the Canadian ConstitutionYouth Justice in Canada
Youth or juvenile crime is a controversial issue in Canadian politics. While the fact that youth crime is quite common in Canada is lamentable, there are disagreements concerning how to treat youths in the criminal system. The controversy centres on the best approach taken to address youth offenders and the severity of punishment that should be given. This article provides a historical overview of Canadian approaches to youth justice. It outlines several stages of Canadian legislation, including the 1908 Juvenile Delinquents Act, the 1982 Young Offenders Act, and the 2003 Youth Criminal Justice Act.
[Read more…] about Youth Justice in CanadaThe Canada Health Act
The Canada Health Act is a central element of the nation’s health care policy and federal-provincial/territorial relations. This article provides an introduction to the Act, with a focus on its purpose and key provisions, as well as its administrative bodies and processes.
[Read more…] about The Canada Health ActGlobal Warming in Canada
Global warming and climate change have become major environmental and political issues, both internationally and within Canada. This article provides an introduction to the scientific claims and debates concerning global warming. More specifically, it focuses on key scientific theories concerning the meaning of global warming, its causes, and potential impact on Canadians, in addition to exploring some of the scientific debates surrounding these theories and their political implications.
[Read more…] about Global Warming in CanadaSupreme Court of Canada Appointment Process
The Supreme Court of Canada is this country’s highest court, and is the final authority for all legal disputes, settling matters between individuals, organizations, and governments alike. Moreover, the Court is emerging as a forum for policy debate, due in large part to its powers to interpret important constitutional documents, such as the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This, in turn, raises important questions regarding the manner in which judges are appointed to this politically powerful and influential court. This article introduces the Supreme Court’s appointment process. In particular, it discusses which political actors have the power to appoint the Court’s justices, the process by which selections are made, as well as current debates on whether the process should be reformed.
[Read more…] about Supreme Court of Canada Appointment Process