POLI 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 24: Backbencher, Royal Assent, Canadian Identity
Document Summary
Mps represent the people in their electoral district. 1) being a delegate -> get opinion of constituency. 2) being a trustee -> give trust to mp. 3) speak with the voice of the political party. 4) identity representation -> mp represents people with a similar identity. Parliament is supposed to represent the diversity of canada. Historically and today, mps tend to be male. Consequences -> less attention on policy for domestic violence. Tend to be predominantly white (euro canadians) Tend to be secular (post-christian) -> goes back to euro canadian identity. Tend to be better educated than the average canadian. Tend to be people from urban backgrounds. Rural areas and rural people are not represented as well in parliament. Biases built into composition of the house of commons based on the identity of the mps. Activities of mps: he or she participates in the debate about legislation and votes on the bills that eventually become law.
