Permanent Campaigning in Canada

"Election campaigning never stops. That is the new reality of Canadian politics, where everyone from the partisans who control the government to backbench MPs practice non-stop political marketing and communication. With the emergence of fixed-date elections and digital media, each day has become a battle to win mini-contests: the news cycle, message framing, public opinion polls, quarterly fundraising results, by-elections, and more. If taxpayers can foot the bill of these activities instead of the party, so much the better. Previously confined to the American political system, this "permanent campaign" approach to government now pervades Canada's system. Political actors use all available tools at their disposal to secure electoral advantage, including the leveraging of public resources for partisan gain. "Permanent Campaigning in Canada" examines the growth of constant campaigning in this country, and its democratic implications. Topical subjects include the use of political databases, the strategy behind online political communication, the politicization of government advertising, and the role of the Prime Minister's Office and political staff. This is the first study of a phenomenon that has become embedded in Canadian politics and government. It reveals the depth and breadth to which political parties have embraced."--