Vetting of Election Candidates by Political Parties: Centralization of Candidate Selection in Canada. Issue 4 (2nd October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Marland, Alex
• Is Part Of: American review of Canadian studies. Volume 51:Issue 4(2021)
• Page Start: 573
• Page End: 591
• Publication Date: 2021-10-02
• Subjects: Canadian elections -- Canadian political parties -- election candidates in Canada -- opposition research -- candidate selection; Comparative civilization -- Periodicals; Canada -- Civilization -- Periodicals; Canada -- Periodicals; United States -- Periodicals; 971
• DOI: 10.1080/02722011.2021.1986558
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0272-2011

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Election candidates resigning when confronted by moral outrage over their indiscretions is now a routine aspect of Canadian elections. Often controversy is generated by opponents who conduct American-style opposition research and provide findings to the media. As a preventative measure, central party agents now subject their aspiring candidates to background scrutiny and reject applicants deemed likely to spark negative publicity. This article traces the recent evolution of candidate vetting in Canada, and sheds light on political parties examining candidates' backgrounds. It suggests that a wave of vetting arose in the late 1980s and early 1990s in response to concern about political ethics, and again around 2008 with the growth in the influences of social media. Central party officers encroach on the role of local party members in the candidate selection process to protect the party's brand and its election prospects. Implications of screening candidates range from rooting out political extremists to fortifying the leader's authority.