About Marcus K. Rochefort Expertise I like to think that I could answer a variety of questions regarding Canadian politics; from Parties within Canadian Polity, Americanization of Canadian Political Culture, our Justice system and its procedures, Members of Federal and Provincial (Ontario) Parliament as well as hot-topic Socio-economic/political issues for Canadians. Proper research and access to scholarly sources enable me to do this. Politics is a passion of mine, therefore I will never limit myself to learning a topic if I am not familiar with an answer. Then a proper and educated answer shall be given.
Experience Honours in History & Minor in Political Science and French, member of a Federal and Provincial Political Party, Avid campaigner and Youth Coordinater for the London West Riding Association (NDP).
Organizations Federal member of the New Democratic Party of Canada (Nouveau Parti Democratique du Canada)
Provincial Member of the New Democratic Party of Ontario (Nouveau Parti Democratique de l' Ontario).
London West-NDP Riding Association - Youth Organizer
Publications London Free Press, University of Western Ontario Gazette
Education/Credentials University of Western Ontario Undergraduate Student (History/Politics/French).
Expert: Marcus K. Rochefort Date: 5/27/2005 Subject: switching parties
Question Last week Belinda crossed the floor and went from being a pc to a liberal. Is she not elected to be a member of parliment based upon the party she ran for? How can she keep her seat, because her riding voted for a pc rep. and now have a liberal.
Answer Dear Mr. Adams,
My apologies for any confusion that might have been sent in the automated response to your question. I will be glad to address and completely answer your questions with the hopes of bringing an enhanced understanding about the rights of Members of Parliament and the electoral regulations that MPs follow while working for Canadians.
With regards to your first question on Ms. Stronach's position in Parliament, no, she is not elected as a Member of Parliament based on the party for which she represented, despite the illusion given to Canadians.
All members are voted on indivually by all eligible constituents in an electoral district. Citizens can believe that they are voting for a party, however, it is shown throught the Ms. Stronach case that voters actually vote for a nominated political figure. This is the only legally binding loyalty and responsibility an MP has - to represent their riding, regardless of that political stipe they may have.
Although the party affiliation is what is largely voted upon a vast majority of the time, consituents are actually only 'endorsed' by a Federal (or Provincial) party. This is seen in Part 6, Clause 68, Section (1)of the Canada Elections Act, "A political party may endorse only one prospective candidate in each electoral district for a given election."
As a consequence, this gives Belinda Stronach (or any Member of Parliament) the liberty to change parties, because although most Newmarket-Alora voters elected her according to her riding, legally she is seen as a figure whose political affiliation comes secondary to the representation of the electoral district.
It is important to distinguish between legal obligations to one's district, and what is perceived as political and social pressures to conform to the desires (both financial and political) of the members of your riding.
So next time you vote in a federal/provincial election, bear in mind, it is the names of the people on the ballot who should be voted for, because in cases like Belinda Stronach and David Kilgore, the party-affiliation, is clearly irrelavent.
For more information on Federal Elections, Laws and Procedure, visit: http://www.elections.ca
Respectfully Left,
Marcus K. Rochefort
London West
Youth Organizer, New Democratic Party
