A social and political profile of Canadian legislators, 1996 |
| |
Authors: | Donley T Studlar Dianne L Alexander Joanna E Cohen Mary Jane Ashley Roberta G Ferrence John S Pollard |
| |
Institution: | 1. Eberly Distinguished Professor of Political Science , West Virginia University ,;2. Ontario Tobacco Research Unit , University of Toronto ,;3. Institute for Social Research , York University , |
| |
Abstract: | This research note provides an overview and an update on the social and political backgrounds of all elected Canadian legislators at the federal and provincial/territorial levels of government in 1996. For provincial/territorial legislators data are presented by electoral jurisdiction, and for all legislators by level of government and political party. Relatively few differences in social characteristics were found between the two levels although there were some variations by province, territory and party. Business, education and law are the three most prevalent occupations, although the latter has declined among legislators over time. There is little movement of members from the provincial to the federal level. The most common political experience of both groups lies in municipal governance. Over time women have increased their share of seats at both levels. Even in a polity such as Canada with high rates of legislative turnover at both federal and provincial/territorial levels and with new parties emerging, most changes in social and political experience backgrounds proceed incrementally. |
| |
Keywords: | |
|
|