Western Canada

::This article is about a geographic region. For the school in Calgary, see Western Canada High School

Politics

In Canadian politics, the term 'The West' is often used as shorthand for the supposedly Conservative leanings of Western Canadians, as contrasted with the supposed liberalism of Central Canada. The exception is in coastal British Columbia, and the city of Winnipeg, in Manitoba, which are generally far more liberal. The social democratic New Democratic Party had its origins on the Canadian Prairies and enjoys considerable support in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, as well as British Columbia, although in recent years this party has made somewhat of a shift to the right, particularly in the case of Saskatchewan.

Related Topics:
Conservative - Winnipeg - Social democratic - New Democratic Party

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As of May 2005 the British Columbia Liberal Party (much to the right of the federal Liberal Party, more akin to the Conservatives) formed the provincial government in British Columbia, the Conservatives in Alberta, and the New Democratic Party in both Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

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The Western provinces are represented in the Canadian Parliament by 92 MPs in the House of Commons (BC - 36, Alberta - 28, Saskatchewan & Manitoba - 14 each) and 24 Senators (6 from each province). Of the 92 MPs in the Commons: 68 are Conservatives, 13 Liberals, 9 New Democratic Party, and there are 2 Independent members. These provinces have been the most vocal in calls for reform of the Senate, in which Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritime Provinces are seen as being over-represented.

Related Topics:
Senate - Ontario - Quebec - Maritime Provinces

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Climatic and economic conditions have contributed to a net out migration from Manitoba and Saskatchewan to Alberta and British Columbia which have stronger economies. In fact, the current population of Saskatchewan is only slightly larger than it was in 1931. British Columbia is often referred to as "Beautiful British Columbia", "God's Country" and "Lotus Land"; Alberta as "Wild Rose Country" or "The Land of Opportunity"; Saskatchewan as "The Land of Living Skies"; and Manitoba as "Friendly Manitoba" or "Land of 100,000 Lakes".

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