10 Political Differences between the US and Canada
Most Canadians today interact with Americans daily, through media, goods, or even travel. Our countries share life-long history, and we overlap in many areas of life beyond political relations.
“There are no closer friends that we have than the Canadians. And we share values, we share culture. The ties between our people are extraordinary. We are NATO Allies, and across the board, our interests align.” - President Obama
However, despite the geographical closeness and apparent cultural similarities, Canada and the United States are distinctly more unique in political structure than you might think.
In the wake of all the political and social unrest that has come with 2020, consider the following list, and the impact these political differences have on citizens, business, and advocacy - and notice why an issue in one country might not have the same solution in the other.
Here’s a list of critical differences in no particular order.
1. Differences from the beginning: The basis for statehood
The US is a republic while Canada, as a member of the British Commonwealth, is a constitutional monarchy. This means that while the President is the US Head of State, the Canadian Head of State is Queen Elizabeth II, as represented through the Governor General (Her Excellency the Right Honorable Julie Payette).
2. Free Speech vs Freedom of Expression
The US was founded on freedom. As a result of the Revolutionary Wars, the ideals were equal rights (including free speech, liberty, freedom of religion, etc.). In contrast, while the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms does have a section on Fundamental Freedoms including “freedom of expression”, hate speech is not tolerated in Canada. Perhaps this is a cause for the polite Canadian stereotype.
3. An Elected Senate?
Both the US and Canada operate with a bicameral legislative system (read: two houses), but with one key difference: the US Senate is elected, and considered the more powerful house in comparison to the “lower” House of Representatives with 435 seats. This is because Senators serve longer terms, and there are only two from each state.
In contrast, the Canadian Senators are appointed by the Governor General on behalf of the Prime Minister, and they serve for life until they reach mandatory retirement at age 75. Canadian Senators make much less of a splash than those in the US.
4. The Cabinet Composition
A surprising difference in the Executive branch of government is the structure of the Cabinet. In Canada, the Cabinet is composed of elected members of the Legislature, including the Prime Minister. Although it is not required by law for Cabinet Members to be MPs (and sometimes Senators), it is the common practice. Each of these Members has a portfolio (a category) to oversee and report on before the house, for example: finance, status of women, health, etc.
In the US, the Cabinet cannot be part of either Congressional House. Instead, these individuals are often the Secretary (head) of specific departments that are vital to American life (such as State, Defense, etc.).
5. Leader vs. Leader
As mentioned above, the Canadian Prime Minister is not the Head of State, like the President is. The American people also vote directly (well, as directly as you can vote through the densely complicated Electoral College… at least the President’s name is on the ballot) for the President, no matter where they live.
In Canada, Canadians will only vote for the Prime Minister if they live in his electoral district. The rest of Canadians vote for the Candidates in their own electoral districts, and whichever party gets the most candidates elected becomes the governing party, and the leader of that party becomes the Prime Minister. The American President cannot sit in either House whereas the Prime Minister is a sitting Member of Parliament (by convention, not law) and can even introduce government bills (which, NOTE: the US President cannot do. That’s why they can blame the House or the Senate for kiboshing their campaign promises).
6. Difference in Political Spectrum
Canada functions with a multiparty system. Currently in the House of Commons, there are members from 5 different parties, and 3 independent MPs. In the US, there is quite a divide between their two-party system, as the Democrats and GOP duel it out (with the exception of one Republican-defunct Senator who now sits as a Libertarian). Some would conclude that the different options in Canada provide a more balanced political spectrum for voters. (Check your political leanings here!)
7. Campaign Funding
In Canada, there are specific funding limits to follow during elections. Corporate and trade union donations are not accepted, and personal donations are limited to $1600 to each party/candidate/EDA. Political parties can spend up to 73.5 cents for each voting person in the ridings where there are candidates for that political party. Candidates themselves can spend around $75,000 to $115,000 CAD depending on the number of constituents in the riding. Private groups and individuals cannot spend more than a cumulative $150,000 during an election period, although more than $3000 cannot be concentrated in one riding.
In contrast, the 2020 US election cost $14 billion, making it the most expensive in US history. In South Carolina, the unsuccessful Democrat Senate race cost the most: $95 per SC voter for a total of $109 million, of which 93% was funded by out of state contributions.
8. The Jurisdiction of the Federal Government
In the US the federal government has very distinct roles and responsibilities laid out in the Constitution, and everything else is left to state and municipal governments. Canadian jurisdiction is the opposite; if it’s not left to the Provinces, it’s most likely the responsibility of the federal government.
9. The Incarcerated Vote
In Canada, it is a constitutional right for inmates to vote. In the US, one out of every 44 eligible voters cannot vote, due to a felony conviction. While some states have different laws on who can vote while behind bars or after they are released, only two states maintain the right no matter what: Maine and Vermont.
10. Healthcare Provisions
It’s impossible to do a side-by-side political comparison and leave this one out. Canada’s state funded healthcare is available for each Canadian citizen to receive medical treatment in a hospital or from a physician. The US has Medicare and Medicaid to assist the elderly, the dissabled, and low-income individuals. About 55% of the population receives health insurance from employer-sponsored insurance. If an American does not have the appropriate health insurance to receive life-saving assistance, that care is not available to them. As of 2018, over 27 million people were uninsured.
So why does this matter?
We share media platforms and social platforms, often without language barriers. We function in the same time zones often with similar climates. We closely identify with our southern neighbour, and most of us have travelled on US soil. Our border is the longest undefended border in the world, and we have close economic and security interests. And we share many of the same issues. Because of this, it’s easy to look at problems with a homogenized view.
But, if the above list proves anything, it’s that we cannot forget our differences when finding solutions. It means advocacy looks different; government intentions differ; and strategies for public health, democratic reform, and financial policy must be analyzed in national context.
While the territorial closeness and shared attitudes in the media may suggest common similarities, noting and addressing these differences is paramount in solving issues we both face at a national level.
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