1
In an election using the First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) system, the candidate with the most votes in each riding or constituency is elected to
represent that riding in parliament. This means that the winner does not necessarily have to win a majority of the votes in the riding, but only
more votes than any other candidate. Benefits and Shortcomings of FPTP and PR:FPTP has the benefit of simplicity, as it is easy for voters to
understand and for election officials to administer. It can also lead to stable majority governments, as seen in Canada's history of single-party
rule.However, FPTP also has several shortcomings. It can result in a "winner-takes-all" outcome where the party with the most seats in
parliament can exercise significant power, even if they do not have the support of the majority of voters. It can also lead to wasted votes,
where a candidate who does not win a majority of votes in a riding is not represented at all in parliament.PR has the benefit of being more
representative, as it allocates seats based on the proportion of votes received by each party. This allows for greater diversity of opinions to be
represented in parliament and can help to reduce the dominance of any one party. It also reduces the number of wasted votes, as even parties
that do not win a majority of votes in any one riding can still be represented in parliament.However, PR can also have some drawbacks. It can
lead to coalition governments, which may be less stable than majority governments. It can also be more complex to administer and can result
in longer wait times to determine the final election results. Despite discussions and efforts to reform the Canadian electoral system, major
electoral reform has not been successful in Canada for several reasons
Lack of Consensus: There is no consensus on which electoral system would be best for Canada. There are many different types of electoral
systems, each with its own advantages and disadvantages, and it can be challenging to reach a consensus on which one would work best.
Different parties have different preferences on which electoral system would benefit them the most, making it challenging to reach a
consensus.Lack of Political Will: There is a lack of political will to reform the system. Any change to the electoral system would likely benefit
some parties more than others, and parties that are in power under the current system may be hesitant to make changes that could hurt their
chances of winning in the future. Some parties may also be opposed to electoral reform due to ideological or strategic reasons.Lack of Public
Awareness: Many Canadians are not familiar with the different types of electoral systems, and may not understand the potential benefits of
switching to a new system. Public education and awareness-raising efforts are necessary to inform Canadians about the potential benefits of
electoral reform.Lack of Leadership: Without strong leadership from political leaders, electoral reform is unlikely to gain momentum and make
progress. Leaders of political parties may not prioritize electoral reform, or may not be willing to invest the necessary political capital to push
for reform.
In addition, there have been several instances of failed attempts to reform the electoral system in Canada. For example, the 2015 election saw
the Liberal Party of Canada campaign on a platform that included a promise to reform the electoral system. However, after a committee was
established to study electoral reform and make recommendations, the Liberal government ultimately decided not to pursue electoral reform,
citing a lack of consensus and the complexity of the issue.Overall, major electoral reform in Canada has not been successful due to a
combination of factors, including a lack of consensus, political will, public awareness, and leadership. Without addressing these challenges, it is
unlikely that electoral reform will be successful in the near future.
2)
The executive branch of the Canadian government is responsible for
implementing and enforcing laws. the electoral system and the Senate. The electoral system is often criticized for distorting representation,
while the Senate is criticized for its lack of democratic accountability and limited powers.
One area of the legislative branch that has been
frequently discussed as needing reform is the Senate. The Senate is currently appointed rather than elected, which some argue can lead to a
lack of democratic accountability. Additionally, the Senate's powers are limited, and it is seen by some as redundant, as its role in the
legislative process is largely ceremonial.The appointment process for senators has been criticized for being overly partisan, with prime
ministers using their appointments to reward political supporters rather than ensuring a diversity of voices and perspectives in the Senate. As
a result, some have called for the Senate to be reformed or even abolished.One proposal that has been put forward is to make the Senate an
elected body. This would increase its democratic legitimacy and provide a more direct link between citizens and their representatives in the
Senate. Another proposal is to change the appointment process to ensure that senators are chosen based on their qualifications and expertise
rather than their political affiliations.However, changing the Senate would require a constitutional amendment, which is a complex and difficult
process that requires the agreement of both the federal government and the provinces. As a result, there has been less progress on this front,
despite calls for change from some quarters.It is worth noting that the Senate also plays an important role in providing regional representation
and a check on the power of the House of Commons. Any proposed reforms to the Senate would need to carefully consider these factors and
strike a balance between the need for democratic accountability and the importance of regional representation in the Canadian political
system.
The reason why reforming the Senate has been challenging is because it requires a constitutional amendment, which is a complex and
difficult process that requires the agreement of both the federal government and the provinces. Any changes to the Canadian Constitution
must be approved by at least seven provinces representing at least 50% of the population.In the past, there have been attempts to reform the
Senate, but they have been met with challenges. For example, in 2014, the federal government introduced a bill to create a framework for a
more transparent and independent process for selecting senators, as well as term limits. However, the bill faced opposition from some
provinces and was ultimately referred to the Supreme Court of Canada for a ruling on its constitutionality.Additionally, there is not a clear
consensus on what reforms are necessary or desirable. Some argue for the Senate to be abolished entirely, while others advocate for it to be
made an elected body or to have a different appointment process. There are also concerns that any reforms could lead to increased regional
tensions, as the Senate plays an important role in providing regional representation in the Canadian political system. Any proposed reforms
would need to be carefully considered and would require broad-based support in order to be successfully implemented.
Video 3a)
Dr.
Sandrine Thuret briefly discusses in the video that the experience of the school children in the video of having something taken away from
them can be compared to the experiences of children sent to residential schools. These experiences can be traumatic and have a profound
impact on the brain, particularly on the regions responsible for emotional regulation, memory, and learning. Children in residential schools
were separated from their families, culture, and language, which can have long-lasting effects on their mental health and well-being.
Therefore, the parallels between the experiences of the school children in the video and those of children sent to residential schools relate to
the impacts of trauma on the brain and the importance of acknowledging these impacts and providing support to those who have experienced
trauma to help promote healing and resilience.
3b)
Firstly, the school children in the video are attending a contemporary school where
they have access to modern facilities, technology, and education that is geared towards promoting their growth and well-being. In contrast,
the children who attended residential schools were taken from their families and communities and forced to attend institutions that were often
poorly funded, overcrowded, and provided inadequate education.Secondly, the school children in the video are free to go home to their
families at the end of the school day and are not subjected to the strict rules and harsh discipline that was common in residential schools.
Residential school children were typically kept at the schools for long periods, often without any contact with their families, and were subjected
to strict discipline, including physical and emotional abuse.Thirdly, the school children in the video are attending a school where their culture
and language are respected and celebrated. In contrast, Indigenous children who attended residential schools were forbidden from speaking
their own languages and practicing their own cultures and traditions. The purpose of residential schools was to assimilate Indigenous children
into Euro-Canadian culture and to sever their connections to their own cultures and communities.Overall, while both the school children in the
video and the children who attended residential schools experienced schooling, the nature of their experiences and the impact on their lives
were vastly different. The experiences of the children in the video reflect a more positive and inclusive approach to education, whereas the
experiences of children who attended residential schools were marked by cultural genocide and trauma.
3c)
both relate to the issue of
addressing systemic racism and discrimination against Indigenous peoples in Canada.In the first video, Shannon describes a community-led
campaign in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside to create a mural featuring missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. The campaign
aims to bring attention to the issue of violence against Indigenous women and girls and to promote healing and solidarity among Indigenous
and non-Indigenous peoples.Mumilaaq Qaqqaq's speech in the House of Commons addresses similar issues, highlighting the ongoing legacy of
colonialism and systemic racism faced by Indigenous peoples in Canada. She speaks specifically about the need to address the crisis of
