Election Season in Canada: Watch 5 Films That Demystify the Process

It’s election season in Canada. Across the country, citizens will be going to the polls over the next months. Mind you, between by-elections, municipal elections, provincial elections and of course, federal elections, it feels like it’s always the season. Campaign posters have become a permanent part of our landscape.

It’s easy to get jaded when elections come around so fast. The signs remain the same, only the faces seem to change. It’s important to remember what a privilege it is to vote. And how fortunate we are to be living in a democracy.

This week, we’ve put together five films that look at the working parts of an election. From the candidate who runs for office to the media who cover the race, you’ll see it all.

Eastern Graphic

This short doc (under 20 minutes!) examines the 1974 PEI provincial election through the lens of the Island’s weekly newspaper. At a very micro level, we get a good look at grassroots politics and the paper’s role in covering it.

Eastern Graphic, Michael McKennirey & Kent Martin, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

The Right Candidate for Rosedale

Meet Anne Cools’, a woman who ran for the Liberal Party nomination in 1978 Toronto. In addition to providing us with a great profile of a fascinating candidate, it also gives us a primer in a basic aspect of the electoral process – the nomination contest.

The Right Candidate for Rosedale, Bonnie Sherr Klein & Anne Henderson, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

History on the Run: The Media and the ’79 Election

Filmmaker Peter Raymont is no stranger to documenting Canadian politics, and in this feature doc, he covers the 1979 federal election. This was a fascinating time in Canadian politics, as Trudeau ran against Joe Clark for leadership of the country. The film, shot over 3 weeks, gives us a great look at journalists in action, and the role they play come election time. Especially relevant these days.

History on the Run: The Media and the ’79 Election, Peter Raymont, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

Why Women Run

Here’s a great opportunity to follow filmmaker Meredith Ralston as she joins the campaign trial with two female candidates, Mary Clancy (L) and Alexa McDonough (NDP) during the 1997 federal election. It was one of the most contested races in the country, and it highlights the strains, accomplishments, and issues that go along with being a female political figure.

Why Women Run, Meredith Ralston, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

Campaign: The Making of a Candidate

This is another doc that profiles a candidate, but this time we’re further west in Toronto and it’s a mayoral race during the 2003 municipal election. David Miller emerges on the trail as an underdog, but his commitment and drive take him far, despite all the obstacles thrown in his way. It’s nice. A political film that’s heartwarming and inspiring.

Campaign: The Making of a Candidate, Andrew Munger, provided by the National Film Board of Canada