Canadian Politics

A05 - Polling, Politics, and Free Speech

Date: May 30 | Time: 01:30pm to 03:00pm | Location: Classroom - CL 232 Room ID: 15702

Chair/Président/Présidente : Holly Ann Garnett (Royal Military College of Canada)

Discussant/Commentateur/Commentatrice : Peter Ryan (Mount Royal University)

Branding and Party Discipline in Canadian Politics: Alex Marland (Memorial University of Newfoundland)
Abstract: This theoretical paper is the basis of the introduction chapter in a forthcoming book that builds on Brand Command: Canadian Politics and Democracy in the Age of Message Control. The paper examines the nature and evolution of party discipline in Canada. It considers what institutional conditions result in legislators toeing the party line in public discourse. Special consideration is given to the implications of message coordination and political marketing. The paper explains the concept of political “brand ambassadors” and considers whether Harold Innis’ time/space media theory can help us understand the centralization of political power in Canadian leadership circles.

Polling in Uncertain Times: The Canadian Polling industry in the 1940s: Christopher Adams (St. Paul's College, University of Manitoba)
Abstract: This conference paper provides an overview of the polling and market research industry in Canada during the Second World War and the 1950s. Provided will be 1) an overview of how opinion studies were conducted during the 1940s and 1950s, including the use of telephone surveys; 2) how universities were undergoing a growth in interest among behaviouralist academics in furthering the use of quantitative social research methods, which for many included the use of mainframe computers to process survey data; 3) how Canadian government actors and agencies were increasingly seeking survey data relating to both the armed forces and citizens; and 3) how the private sector, including advertising agencies, media, retailers, and political consultancies, were using public opinion data in their regular business activities. This paper will therefore serve to further our understandings of the Canadian polling and market research industry during a pivotal period in its history.

Le modèle de franchise et la dualité linguistique aux élections fédérales canadiennes: Jacob Robbins-Kanter (Queen's University)
Abstract: Selon Kenneth Carty (2002), les partis fédéraux canadiens se comportent comme des structures de franchise. La direction du parti gère les grandes orientations idéologiques et la thématique de sa politique, et les unités locales adaptent les messages du parti au terrain local. Bien que Carty souligne la diversité du marché électoral canadien, son modèle de franchise ne se prononce pas sur les effets fragmentaires que peut jouer la langue de communication des messages politiques. Cet article met en lumière le facteur linguistique, en posant la question, quel est l’impact de la dualité français-anglais sur l’opération du modèle de franchise lors des élections fédérales récentes? L’analyse incorpore les études du comportement organisationnel des grandes entreprises face aux défis langagiers. Par conséquent, l’étude tente de révéler si l’obligation de cibler plusieurs groupes linguistiques complique les dynamiques de franchise pour les grandes entreprises, et si des résultats similaires se présentent sur la scène politique au Canada.

Political Correctness, Free Speech and Message Coordination in Canadian Politics: Alex Marland (Memorial University of Newfoundland)
Abstract: This paper seeks to establish the real-world constraints on free speech in Canadian democracy. It moves from the legalities of free speech to the practical limitations in politics. This includes group cohesion, social pressure, online mobbing, political correctness, and the Charter-proofing of public remarks. It touches on the controversy surrounding these social restrictions, such as university safe spaces and the implications of a lack of pluralistic debate. This constitutes the backdrop against which Canadian political parties coordinate their messaging. The party hierarchy imposes communications discipline and order on candidates and MPs to achieve its strategic goals. Otherwise there is chaos. This theoretical paper is planned as the second chapter in a follow-up to the book Brand Command: Canadian Politics and Democracy in the Age of Message Control.