How to Run for Office

by Apathy is Boring Intern Patrick Burkhard — August 1, 2007

    Becoming a member of a political party is one of many ways to get involved in the political process.  While it is seen as more conventional and traditional, this is no reason to be deterred from gaining membership into a party.  You may be confused however as to where to begin on this journey or you may even be on the fence as to whether or not you want to really join one of these organizations.  First off, you really don’t have anything to lose by joining a political party.  In fact, you only have a ton  to gain by becoming a member of a political party.  Don’t believe me, here are a few benefits of party membership to consider: 

•    You can take part in the nomination process of candidates so come election time you may actually know the person running on that poster you’ve been seeing all over town.
•    Most political parties have youth branches within them.
•    You will become more involved in the political process and through this become more politically aware.
•    Along with party membership comes invites to social events.  Got lots of empty space on ye old social calendar?  Well time to fill it up.
•    You will meet tons of new and exciting people, and chances are that if they have joined the same party as you, their value base is probably similar to yours and you may become friends. 
•    It is one of the best avenues for influencing the political process.  You can give your input on issues and may influence party leaders and candidates.  If your party or local candidate comes into power, your views and influence may reach all the way into the Prime Minister's Office.  
•    Party membership is not made public record.
•    Costs of party membership are tax deductible.

    This is just a starting point.  So use that imagination of yours and imagine what other benefits you can gain from joining a political party.  They are a wonderful place to gain entry into the political sphere and to see some real effects of your influence.  What’s even more exciting is if you convince your friends to join you, there is strength in numbers and you may be really able to succeed in influencing the political process.  What’s not to like here?

    Now that you’ve been convinced, you are probably all roared up and wanting to join a party.  The first step is to find a political party that is to your liking.  Check out our section on Canada's political parties to find information on all of the different political parties on the scene.  Another way to find out information about different parties and to also figure out which parties will be on the ballot come election day, is to check out our election section for links to each provincial governmental website. Here you can also find the registered political parties in your province.  There may be a party out there ready and waiting for both your vote and your support.  There is a also a choice to be made at times between Provincial and Federal party systems ,as the party structures are independent of one another.  I say be involved in both though – just like doublemint – twice the fun!       

    Once you find a party you like, contact them and ask about membership.  Political parties should literally be knocking down your door asking you to join; however, sadly this is not the case for youth in Canada, or anyone else for that matter.  Parties aren’t recruiting like they should be!  So this may mean contacting them.  There are little actual costs to belong to a political party – although there is probably an annual fee of around $20.00, but check with a specific party to find out for sure.  However, you get a nice shiny membership card in the mail.  Most parties will also have party rules, such as “you can only be a member of one political party at one time” although I know for a fact that this is not always the case.  I remember a story told once by a high level businessman.  When asked how he could explain his success in influencing the political process in his favour, he pulled out membership cards to every established party.  Now this would not be encouraged, but this may be a reality. 

    By now you should be a member of a party and the fun can begin!  You can decide how involved you want to be in the process, from trying to recruit new members for the party and doing some volunteering, to simply coming out to events when invited or even simply voting when it is time to nominate riding candidates.  The thing to remember is that there is nothing to lose by joining a political party.  Sure, it is not everyone’s gig, but given the wealth of parties on the scene, there is surely one out there which reflects your personal views. (And if there isn't... start your own!) You also never know when a party will receive the spotlight or when a party platform will find favour with the general public.  For this reason, become involved now and maybe one day you will be one of these “representatives” we talk about so much.