NOTE TO STUDENTS: Before you answer the questions, read the information under "Background" below, and watch the video under "Resources."

1. There are 308 seats in Canada's Parliament (in the House of Commons).  List the number of seats won by each party in the House of Commons.
a) Conservative Party
b) New Democratic Party
c) Liberal Party
d) Bloc Québécois
e) Green Party

2. How will winning a majority of seats in Parliament affect the Prime Minister's ability to pass legislation?

3. What actions has Mr. Harper taken during his five years as Prime Minister (when his party did not hold a majority government)?

4. How well has the economy done under Mr. Harper's plan to create jobs and growth without raising taxes?

5. Mr. Harper campaigned in the last few days before the election on a message that the New Democrats stood for higher taxes, higher spending, higher prices and protectionism. He called the election a choice between "a Conservative majority" and "a ramshackle coalition led by the NDP that will not last but will do a lot of destruction." Why do you think this position was supported by a majority of voters?