There are three forms of Government found in Canada and what I feel is that they all have their own advantages and disadvantages. Canada’s political system has four major parties, such as the Conservatives, New Democratic Party (NDP), Liberals, and the Bloc Quebecois (BQ). The BQ runs only in Quebec, where the other three run in all 308 electoral ridings.
Canada’s Parliament: Majority Vs. Minority
A majority government is one where the victory party holds more than 50% of the seats. A majority government would be considered a minimum of 155 seats. Brian Mulroney was the last Conservative leader to have a majority, winning two such mandates.
The other form is a minority government. A minority government is where one party doesn’t win the seats necessary for a majority (155), however still wins more than their competitors. Canada has had minority governments since 2003, with current Prime Minister Stephen Harper in power since 2006. His government has 143 seats, the most of all four parties. A minority government is more complex because the opposition parties control the majority of the seats. The government has to work with them, and often compromise by passing pieces of their agenda in exchange for confidence.
Canada’s Parliament: A Coalition Government
A coalition government is result of combination of two or more parties agreed to compromise on principles. They must share a mandate. Sometime when one party unable to gain a majority to gain a position in parliament, coalition governments is formed. This type of governments arguably divides opinion, although those in favour of proportional representation believing it can lead to consensus politics. Mostly in times of national crisis or war this type of governments are mostly formed.
A coalition government arguably divides opinion, even though those in favour of proportional representation considering it can lead to consensus politics.