FOR THE WEEK OF JAN. 23, 2006

Canada vote determines who'll be prime minister

Election results and related articles begin appearing Tuesday. Assign students to analyze coverage in terms of clarity, length and relevance to Americans. Do reports reflect Canada's importance as a neighbor and largest U.S. trading partner? Is the national election next door the subject of an editorial, opinion page column and any follow-ups beyond the first news about which party won?

Canada and America are both democracies and both former British colonies, but have different systems of government. Do articles about this week's election explain clearly how Canada's prime minister is chosen? Is there any mention of Canada's head of state, who wears a crown, inherits that title and is represented in Ottawa by a governor general? Invite students to discuss whether the newspaper adequately explains the political system there and to consider what factors influence how the election news is presented.

Canada is the world's second-largest country in terms of geographic size, with only Russia covering more area. It also belongs to an association known as the Commonwealth, made up of the United Kingdom and 52 independent countries with British roots. Have students see whether election coverage includes reactions from outside North America. Ask class members to reflect on what makes a change of government "newsworthy" and the factors that generate prominent global coverage of a nation's new leader.

Canadians begin this week with elections to fill all 308 seats in the House of Commons. That main branch of Parliament in Ottawa, an Ontario city that is the national capital, later selects a prime minister to become the head of Canada’s government. That choice depends on which political party wins the most seats in Monday’s national balloting.

This system of government, also used by England and now being introduced in Iraq, is called a parliamentary democracy. Canadian candidates from three main parties and several smaller ones are running in House districts known as ridings. Canada’s Parliament also has a national Senate with 105 appointed members.

The timing of this election was determined by opposition parties, which last Nov. 28 passed a resolution of “no confidence” aimed at Prime Minister Paul Martin, leader of the Liberal Party and Canada’s top elected official since December 2003. Allegations of financial misdeeds by senior Liberal officials eroded public support for the party, giving rivals a chance to force Martin to schedule an early election.

The challengers: The Conservatives, led by Stephen Harper, propose a tax cut to stimulate the economy. The New Democratic Party (NDP), led by Jack Layton, opposes large tax cuts and argues that the government instead should use part of its $9-billion budget surplus to improve social programs. Voters in Quebec also can support candidates from the Bloc Québécois, a regional party in that French-speaking province. Lastly, this could be the first time the Green Party of Canada wins seats in Parliament. It supports lower taxes for small businesses and families and higher levies for companies that consume natural resources and cause water, air or soil pollution.

The stakes: A change in government could push Canada’s public health-care system toward a two-tier system with a partial shift to non-government providers, as some Conservatives endorse. Other issues include national gun registration, same-sex marriage, U.S. trade relations and whether to continue full participation in the North American ballistic missile defense system.

The outlook: The Liberals have led Canada for 13 years, winning four elections since 1993. But opposition parties grabbed enough seats in 2003 to leave Prime Minister Martin dependent on a bipartisan coalition – an outcome that is possible again, with either a Conservative-led or Liberal-led government relying on support from other parties.

Front Page Talking Points Archive

►Fresh population figures show the changing face of America

►U.S. scrutiny of online communication and calls stirs debate over snooping vs. security

►Facebook draws the line: Hateful, nasty posts about women are out of bounds

►Summer brings movie lineup of superheroes, zombies, sci-fi and comedies

►Federal safety board urges tougher drinking-and-driving cutoff limit to match other nations

►Northeast braces for noisy invasion: Flying cicada bugs return after hiding for 17 years

►U.S. military prison at Guantanamo, Cuba, remains a tricky problem for President Obama

►Doctors warn about serious health risks from 'The Cinnamon Challenge' video craze

►Earth Day on April 22 focuses attention on how we can protect the natural environment

►Thousands of past players take on the National Football League over brain injuries

►Complete archive