Ontario's Role in Canadian History

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Questions and Answers

What does the 'Senatorial Clause' guarantee regarding the House of Commons representation?

Each province must have representation in the House of Commons equal to its 1985 numbers.

No province can have fewer seats in the House of Commons than it has in the Senate. (correct)

Senatorial representation is based solely on population size.

No province can have more MPs than it has Senators.

What principle does the 'Representation Rule' established after the 2011 census uphold?

All provinces must have an equal number of MPs.

No province can lose representation based on population decline.

Provincial representation is fixed at the 1985 levels.

Every province gets additional seats if underrepresented according to population. (correct)

What was the primary purpose of the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act (EBRA) enacted in 1964?

To allow political parties to influence boundary changes directly.

To adjust the number of MPs based on total votes in a province.

To ensure that electoral boundary adjustments are done by non-partisan bodies. (correct)

To create more ridings in urban areas.

Which of the following best describes the First Past the Post (FPTP) electoral system?

The candidate with the most votes in a riding wins, even without majority support. Signup and view all the answers

From the content, which party system does FPTP tend to create?

A two-party system with limited competition. Signup and view all the answers

What was one consequence of Mike Harris's decision in 1996 related to provincial ridings?

Harmonized provincial ridings with federal ridings. Signup and view all the answers

Which electoral reform proposal is supported by the Ontario Green party and NDP?

Implementing a citizens assembly to explore proportional representation. Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of the Electoral Boundaries Commission in Ontario as outlined in the content?

To review and adjust electoral ridings every ten years. Signup and view all the answers

Why might some voters feel discouraged from participating in elections under the FPTP system?

Because they often feel their vote does not lead to meaningful representation. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true about the average number of constituents represented by MPs in Ontario compared to PEI?

Ontario MPs represent more than 100,000 constituents, while PEI MPs represent under 40,000. Signup and view all the answers

Which party is primarily associated with rural and suburban Ontario?

Progressive Conservatives Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum percentage of votes a party must receive in the last election to qualify for Party Allowances in Ontario?

2% Signup and view all the answers

What is the main role of interest groups in the policy-making process?

To press government to address their issues Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'populism' primarily refer to?

A movement representing the people against the elite Signup and view all the answers

Which event marked the first major third party emergence in Ontario after a two-party system?

Rise of the United Farmers of Ontario Signup and view all the answers

How many seats must a political party have to attain Party Status in Ontario?

8 Signup and view all the answers

Which of these groups tends to operate in blue-collar, industrial areas in Ontario?

New Democratic Party Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of lobbyists in the political system?

To influence government authorities Signup and view all the answers

Which Ontario political party has only formed government once, in 1990 under Bob Rae?

New Democratic Party Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about dual membership in political parties is accurate?

60 to 70 percent of Liberal and PC members are dual members. Signup and view all the answers

What significant aspect does social media contribute to modern governance?

It facilitates political engagement and transparency. Signup and view all the answers

Which coalition historically utilized populist language to gain support in Ontario during the 1920s?

United Farmers Signup and view all the answers

What defines a policy network within a policy community?

A slim array of interdependent actors with higher interactions Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best reflects the concept of clientelism in policy advocacy?

It establishes a mutually beneficial relationship. Signup and view all the answers

What event marked the official transition of Canada into a British colony?

Treaty of Paris Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the demographic distribution of Ontario's population?

56% of Toronto's population is racialized or non-white. Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is NOT associated with Ontario's political culture?

Radical Signup and view all the answers

What does Lipset’s Formative Events Theory suggest about political culture?

Historical events shape the political attitudes and cultures of populations. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes Hartz’s Fragment Theory?

Ideological fragmentation arises from opposition to old world societies. Signup and view all the answers

What has been a major effect of the 1867 Confederation on Ontario?

Power asymmetries benefiting larger provinces like Ontario. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT part of the elements of political culture discussed?

Psychological Signup and view all the answers

How has Canada's immigration history influenced its political culture?

Different immigrant groups have shaped diverse political ideologies. Signup and view all the answers

What does Dependency Theory suggest about Ontario's economic relationships?

There is a dependence of the periphery on the core regions. Signup and view all the answers

According to Innis' Staples Theory, what has significantly shaped Canada's economy?

Exportation of natural resources. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the electoral system is true?

Quebec is guaranteed at least 65 MPs in the federal government. Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic differentiates Canadian political culture from American political culture?

Stronger respect for authority and egalitarianism. Signup and view all the answers

What does the political economy of Ontario refer to?

The organization of economic activities through political mechanisms. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of Ontario's population is noted for its stark difference?

Cultural diversity in Northern and Southern regions. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ontario's Place within Canada

Ontario officially became a British colony in 1763, formally constituted as Upper Canada in 1791.
Ontario joined the Confederation of Canada in 1867, becoming a key province within the nation.
It comprises 38% of the Canadian population and exhibits significant diversity, with a noticeable difference between Northern and Southern Ontario.

Political Culture

Ontario's political culture emphasizes order, stability, and continuity, reflecting values of ascriptiveness, elitism, hierarchy, and caution.
It differs from American political culture, showing a weaker emphasis on religion, stronger collectivism, and greater tolerance and diversity.
Hartz's Fragment Theory suggests Canadian political culture reflects old-world societal divisions, with traditional conservatism dominating early 20th century.
Lipset's Formative Events Theory highlights the American Revolution as a formative event in Canadian history, influencing Ontario's positive yet cautious relationship with the US.

Political Economy

Dependency Theory explores the dominance of Southern Ontario over other regions, mirroring the core-periphery relationship in Canada.
Innis' Staples Theory emphasizes the role of resource exports in shaping regional development and the national economy.
Confederation in 1867 aimed to create a larger economic market, but also led to power asymmetries in Canada, benefiting Ontario and its businesses.

Elections and the Electoral System

Canada's constitution guarantees at least 65 MPs for Quebec, with redistribution of seats occurring every 10 years to reflect population changes.
The Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act (EBRA) ensures an impartial process for adjusting electoral boundaries, contrasting with potential Gerrymandering in the US.
Ontario uses a First Past the Post (FPTP) electoral system, which often creates a two-party system, although Ontario has a three-party system with PCs, Libs, and NDP.
Electoral reform movements advocate for a proportional representation system, but support often wanes once opposition parties gain power.

Political Parties

Ontario's FPTP system favors two dominant parties, but the province has historically had a three-party system with Conservatives, Liberals, and New Democrats.
PCs hold the title of "natural governing party," having won more than half of the elections in Ontario's history.
The NDP formed the government in 1990 under Bob Rae, making it the only time a third party has secured power in Ontario.
Parties receive funding through individual donations and public allowances based on vote share.

Interest Groups

Interest groups act as a key component in policy-making, influencing government agendas through input and output functions.
They often operate within policy communities and networks, engaging in advocacy and clientelism relationships with government agencies.
Lobbyists play a significant role, advocating for specific policies and often financed by corporations.

Populism

Populism is defined as an ideology, strategy, discourse, and political style, appealing to "the people" against the "elite."
It often utilizes affective rhetoric and charismatic leadership, contrasting itself with a more technocratic political style.
Ontario has witnessed populist movements throughout its history including the United Farmers in the 1920s, the CCF, and more recently, Stephen Harper, Rob Ford, and Doug Ford.

Social media plays a significant role in shaping contemporary politics.
It provides greater access to information, facilitates political engagement, and promotes transparency in governance.
Although social media is primarily a digital tool, it has historical ties to earlier communication technologies such as the printing press, radio, and television

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Description

Explore Ontario's historical significance in Canada, from its establishment as a British colony to its role in Confederation. Delve into the political culture of Ontario and its differences from the American political landscape, as well as the theories that help explain these cultural dynamics.