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Legislatures (Reading (Docherty, Legislatures) (Reforms (Fixed election…

- - - - High degree of party discipline through the whip (very hearchical structure)
        
        Reduces representivity
        
        Somewhat assuaged by Caucus: all members of a party (including senators until Trudeau’s liberals). This group discusses party policy privately but also has the power to elect or dismiss a party’s leader, determine matters of parliamentary tactics and disciplinary measures
        
        Suppresses responsiveness
    - - Less party discipline
        
        Introduce British 3-line whip system
        
        2-line whip - vote based on conscience with an oppositional party member (no embarrassment)
        
        3-line whip - discipline or face sanctions
        
        1-line whip - vote based on desire
      - More autonomy for committees
    - - Increases time (and thus hopefully quality of resulting bills) for big changes ex. Budget issues or policy changes due to legislative debate
        
        Institutionalized opposition to prevent emotional responses and keep sitting government accountable
      - Government is accountable to → Legislature is accountable to → Public
  - - - Power
      - Opportunity
      - Size
        
        Large Legislature means
        
        Less autonomous
        
        No ability to force legislation to committees i.e hear from public witnesses
        
        Small Legislature means
        
        More chances for its members to sit in the front bench (participate more directly)
        
        Often dwarfed by the government (NDP or Green Party)
        
        Less chance of influential scrutiny
  - - - Senate
        
        Own $4000 worth of property - exception : nun Sister Mary
        
        Appointed
        
        Must be at least 30
        
        Get their seat until they are 75 - low turnover (depending on PM of course)
      - Racial and Gender defecits
        
        Political parties and the electoral system determine the choices presented to voters thus these institutions are at least somewhat accountable
        
        It is their responsibility to provide representative candidates in ridings where they can win - not just do it for political gain
        
        Change in attitude toward recruiting ‘ethnic’ candidates
  - - - Keeping the executive accountable
      - Scrutiny function
      - Representative bodies
    - - If the sitting government loses the confidence of the house or loses an election, it can be replaced - ensuring stability and continuity of power
  - - - Would increase inclusiveness and representation - representation of issues
    - - Less advantage for sitting government
      - More stability
      - More power to oppositional party
      - However
        
        Parties will be on permanent campaigns rather than focusing on their jobs - commercialisation of the electoral system
        
        Contradicts the Westminster model
      - Greater transparency
    - - To increase responsiveness and representativity
  - - - Conservatives won minority in October election, first confidence vote: a vote in which members of parliament are asked to indicate their support for the one in power
      - After Economic Statement, Opposition parties declared intention to bring down the government, form a coalition government
      - At PM Harper’s request the GG ended (prorogued) the Parliamentary session, avoiding a confidence vote
        On return in January, Conservatives brought down a revised Budget, obtained support of new Liberal leader, remained in office
      - PM attacked prospective coalition as unconstitutional
        Parliament closed from mid-December 2008 to late January 2009
    - - Westminster model says we elect a Parliament, which in turn selects the government
        
        In principle, if one government loses the confidence of Parliament, Parliament chooses an alternative
        
        Can be a coalition of parties or a single party working with support of others
        If a coalition collapses a confidence vote or a vote of non-confidence is taken
      - Canadian common practice has been for PMs to call an election after defeat in the House of Commons
        
        Limited history of coalitions (1917 Unionist government)
        
        Always at least 8 months since the last election
- - - - The House also contains the alternative government within itself, which needs to be ready to assume office if called upon – the Official Opposition
      - PM is the leader of the party that has support of majority in the House
  - - - House of Commons (elected, representation by population)
        
        Representation by population (“Rep by pop”) but greater weight to smaller provinces, rural areas
        
        338 single-member constituencies elected by “First Past the Post” voting system
      - Senate (second house of sober thought)
        
        Remain in office to age 75
        
        Regional equality, property qualifications
        
        105 members appointed by GG on nomination of the PM
  - - - Only the government (in principle, acting for the Crown) can propose money bills
      - Proceedings are open to the public, recorded for later public scrutiny
      - Formal powers of the two Houses are equal, but House of Commons has greater legitimacy and authority because elected
      - All laws and related regulations are published
      - Three readings and detailed committee consideration
      - Daily Question Period provides accountability focus
- - - - Accountability involves an obligation to answer to Parliament for the actions of ministers and their officials and to take corrective action
      - However, government policy is made collectively, and in turn the government (Cabinet) is collectively accountable to Parliament
      - Many vehicles and venues for accountability, but two prime ones are Question Period and confidence votes
      - Legal authority to act is given to Ministers individually, who are responsible for its use