Canadian Party Politics in the 2000s: A Re-examination of the Regionalization Thesis

Since the 1990s scholars of party politics have written of the increasing regionalization of Canadian party politics, going as far as to label the current system 'balkanized'. Using three widely established measures of party nationalization (party coverage, uniformity of support, and patterns of electoral competition), and one new measure (analysis of party advertisements), this paper explores the regionalization thesis in the post 1990s political landscape. While there is widespread consensus in the literature that the Canadian party system is highly regionalized, this paper provides evidence to the contrary. Rather than a balkanization of Canadian electoral and party politics we are witnessing a re-nationalization of Canadian party politics. This is especially true for those parties that compete in English Canada. Where regionalization does still exist is in the province of Quebec. Not only does the Bloc Quebecois represent a regionalizing force in itself, but the party's very presence alters the strategies of the other parties that compete in Quebec. As a result of the different dynamics of party competition in Quebec, we are left with two distinct party systems: a regional party system in Quebec and a national party system in the rest of Canada

The spread of marine anoxia on the northern Tethys margin during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum

Records of the paleoenvironmental changes that occurred during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) are preserved in sedimentary rocks along the margins of the former Tethys Ocean and Peri-Tethys. This paper presents new geochemical data that constrain paleoproductivity, sediment delivery, and seawater redox conditions, from three sites that were located in the Peri-Tethys region. Trace and major element, iron speciation, and biomarker data indicate that water column anoxia was established during episodes when inputs of land-derived higher plant organic carbon and highly weathered detrital clays and silts became relatively higher. Anoxic conditions are likely to have been initially caused by two primary processes: (i) oxygen consumption by high rates of marine productivity, initially stimulated by the rapid delivery of terrestrially derived organic matter and nutrients, and (ii) phosphorus regeneration from seafloor sediments. The role of the latter process requires further investigation before its influence on the spread of deoxygenated seawater during the PETM can be properly discerned. Other oxygen-forcing processes, such as temperature/salinity-driven water column stratification and/or methane oxidation, are considered to have been relatively less important in the study region. Organic carbon enrichments occur only during the initial stages of the PETM as defined by the negative carbon isotope excursions at each site. The lack of observed terminal stage organic carbon enrichment does not support a link between PETM climate recovery and the sequestration of excess atmospheric CO2 as organic carbon in this region; such a feedback may, however, have been important in the early stages of the PETM

Early diagenetic processes in sediments of the Angola Basin, eastern South Atlantic

In this thesis early diagenetic processes in Angola Basin sediments are studied. The sediments discussed were recovered during the 1989 Angola Basin Cruise with the RIV Tyro. Pore water samples of box cores 8, 12, 17, 19,28, and 42 and of piston cores 17, 19, and 28 are presented. In addition, the solid phase of piston cores 17 and 19 was studied in detail. Chapter 2 deals with a controversial topic in the field of marine geochemistry: differences between (sub)oxic and anoxic decomposition of organic matter (OM). Pore water dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and fluorescence are used to demonstrate differences in decomposition pathways and external factors. In the oxic and suboxic redox zones low and constant contents of low molecular weight dissolved OM (LMW DOM) point to an efficient breakdown of high molecular weight (HMW) DOM into LMW components. In these redox zones, the activity of microbial grazers, the efficient respiratory chains of O2- and N03'-using bacteria, and the downcore decreases in the reactivity of OM result in the efficient breakdown of OM, with hydrolysis being the rate limiting step. In the anoxic redox zones HMW DOM concentrations increase linearly with depth suggesting a diffusion-controlled track. In the lower part of the methane-containing zone DOM becomes constant. Hypothetically, this may be due to OM decay rate limitation by fermentation. The HMW DOM is transported upwards to the suboxic/anoxic boundary. At this boundary HMW components are efficiently broken down to LMW DOM. In Chapter 3 pore water sulphate, sUlphide, and nutrients profiles are used to investigate the relative importance of sulphate reduction through OM decomposition versus that through anoxic methane oxidation. Anoxic methane oxidation was found to be the dominant sulphate-reducing process occurring in a narrow zone in Angola Basin sediments. Methane fluxes, calculated from the sulphate fluxes to the zone of anoxic methane oxidation range between 1.89 x 10'6 and 7.31 X 10'6 mol cm,2 yr'!. Nutrient fluxes indicate a deep source for methane. Several calculations show that this methane may be derived from microbial or thermic OM decomposition or tentatively from instable gas hydrates. Sulphate kinks occur between 3 and 10 m depth, not only in our cores but also in several other reported sediments. Four potential processes to explain the occurrence of these kinks are discussed: 1) bioturbation/bio-irrigation, 2) a non-steady state process caused by turbidites or erosion, 3) a non-steady state situation caused by variations in CH4-fluxes from below, and 4) pore water sulphide oxidation at the depth of the kink. At present, the best scenario available is a non-steady state response to variations in the methane flux from below. Chapter 4 explores the Fe and Mn chemistry in Angola Basin sediments. Relative amounts of solid phase Fe- and Mn-minerals were estimated using a sequential extraction scheme. Additionally, pore water data of Fe and Mn, and delta-34-Svalues of pore water SO/" HS-, and of pyrite were used to investigate suboxic diagenesis, pyritisation and authigenesis of Fe and Mn-minerals. Pyrite formation is the most important Fe-involved diagenetic process in the sediments discussed. The bulk of the pyrite in the upper parts of the sediments had been formed in the past, in an open system at one location and in a closed system at another. Present day pyritisation occurs in a closed system at much lower rates. Low values of acid volatile sulphur (AVS) compared to pyrite indicate an efficient transformation of FeS to FeS2 • The pyritisation occurs in three zones. In the upper and lower reaction zones pyrite formation is limited by the supply of HS- into these zones. In contrast, pyrite formation is Fe-limited in the HS--containing interval between these zones. Significant amounts of Mn appear to coprecipitate with pyrite, in a constant proportion to Fe. At the bottom of both cores sequential extraction results indicate authigenic carbonate formation. These carbonates contain Ca, Mg, Fe, and Mn, that may represent phases like ankerite, siderite, and dolomite. In Chapter 5 several controls on the bulk isotopic and elemental OM composition, such as depositional regime, climate, and diagenesis, are discussed. Sediments in the lower parts of the cores are turbiditic, whereas those in the the upper parts are mainly controlled by pelagic sedimentation. The OM in turbidites has distinctly higher (C/N) and more negative 613C values than the OM in pelagic samples, showing its more pronounced terrestrial origin. The effect of anoxic diagenesis on the amount and composition of OM, albeit subordinate to oxic decomposition, is significant. It results in a depletion of a Nand P-rich fraction, and a slight enrichment in 13Corg' However, qualitative mixing trends between marine and terrestrial OM components, which are climate-controlled, seem unaffected by OM decomposition. Variations in the marine OM fluxes are controlled by variations in the productivity in the surface ocean, the highest productivities being found during glacials. These variations appear to be larger than those in terrestrial OM fluxes, resulting in dilution of the terrestrial signals by the marine ones at both locations. Nonetheless, relatively N-, P-, and 12C-depleted terrestrial OM fluxes also show a glacial/interglacial pattern. This pattern is controlled by variations in vegetation of the drainage area of the river Congo, the position of the coastline, erosion, OM recycling, and biomass

Early diagenetic processes in sediments of the Angola Basin, eastern South Atlantic

In this thesis early diagenetic processes in Angola Basin sediments are studied. The sediments discussed were recovered during the 1989 Angola Basin Cruise with the RIV Tyro. Pore water samples of box cores 8, 12, 17, 19,28, and 42 and of piston cores 17, 19, and 28 are presented. In addition, the solid phase of piston cores 17 and 19 was studied in detail. Chapter 2 deals with a controversial topic in the field of marine geochemistry: differences between (sub)oxic and anoxic decomposition of organic matter (OM). Pore water dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and fluorescence are used to demonstrate differences in decomposition pathways and external factors. In the oxic and suboxic redox zones low and constant contents of low molecular weight dissolved OM (LMW DOM) point to an efficient breakdown of high molecular weight (HMW) DOM into LMW components. In these redox zones, the activity of microbial grazers, the efficient respiratory chains of O2- and N03'-using bacteria, and the downcore decreases in the reactivity of OM result in the efficient breakdown of OM, with hydrolysis being the rate limiting step. In the anoxic redox zones HMW DOM concentrations increase linearly with depth suggesting a diffusion-controlled track. In the lower part of the methane-containing zone DOM becomes constant. Hypothetically, this may be due to OM decay rate limitation by fermentation. The HMW DOM is transported upwards to the suboxic/anoxic boundary. At this boundary HMW components are efficiently broken down to LMW DOM. In Chapter 3 pore water sulphate, sUlphide, and nutrients profiles are used to investigate the relative importance of sulphate reduction through OM decomposition versus that through anoxic methane oxidation. Anoxic methane oxidation was found to be the dominant sulphate-reducing process occurring in a narrow zone in Angola Basin sediments. Methane fluxes, calculated from the sulphate fluxes to the zone of anoxic methane oxidation range between 1.89 x 10'6 and 7.31 X 10'6 mol cm,2 yr'!. Nutrient fluxes indicate a deep source for methane. Several calculations show that this methane may be derived from microbial or thermic OM decomposition or tentatively from instable gas hydrates. Sulphate kinks occur between 3 and 10 m depth, not only in our cores but also in several other reported sediments. Four potential processes to explain the occurrence of these kinks are discussed: 1) bioturbation/bio-irrigation, 2) a non-steady state process caused by turbidites or erosion, 3) a non-steady state situation caused by variations in CH4-fluxes from below, and 4) pore water sulphide oxidation at the depth of the kink. At present, the best scenario available is a non-steady state response to variations in the methane flux from below. Chapter 4 explores the Fe and Mn chemistry in Angola Basin sediments. Relative amounts of solid phase Fe- and Mn-minerals were estimated using a sequential extraction scheme. Additionally, pore water data of Fe and Mn, and delta-34-Svalues of pore water SO/" HS-, and of pyrite were used to investigate suboxic diagenesis, pyritisation and authigenesis of Fe and Mn-minerals. Pyrite formation is the most important Fe-involved diagenetic process in the sediments discussed. The bulk of the pyrite in the upper parts of the sediments had been formed in the past, in an open system at one location and in a closed system at another. Present day pyritisation occurs in a closed system at much lower rates. Low values of acid volatile sulphur (AVS) compared to pyrite indicate an efficient transformation of FeS to FeS2 • The pyritisation occurs in three zones. In the upper and lower reaction zones pyrite formation is limited by the supply of HS- into these zones. In contrast, pyrite formation is Fe-limited in the HS--containing interval between these zones. Significant amounts of Mn appear to coprecipitate with pyrite, in a constant proportion to Fe. At the bottom of both cores sequential extraction results indicate authigenic carbonate formation. These carbonates contain Ca, Mg, Fe, and Mn, that may represent phases like ankerite, siderite, and dolomite. In Chapter 5 several controls on the bulk isotopic and elemental OM composition, such as depositional regime, climate, and diagenesis, are discussed. Sediments in the lower parts of the cores are turbiditic, whereas those in the the upper parts are mainly controlled by pelagic sedimentation. The OM in turbidites has distinctly higher (C/N) and more negative 613C values than the OM in pelagic samples, showing its more pronounced terrestrial origin. The effect of anoxic diagenesis on the amount and composition of OM, albeit subordinate to oxic decomposition, is significant. It results in a depletion of a Nand P-rich fraction, and a slight enrichment in 13Corg' However, qualitative mixing trends between marine and terrestrial OM components, which are climate-controlled, seem unaffected by OM decomposition. Variations in the marine OM fluxes are controlled by variations in the productivity in the surface ocean, the highest productivities being found during glacials. These variations appear to be larger than those in terrestrial OM fluxes, resulting in dilution of the terrestrial signals by the marine ones at both locations. Nonetheless, relatively N-, P-, and 12C-depleted terrestrial OM fluxes also show a glacial/interglacial pattern. This pattern is controlled by variations in vegetation of the drainage area of the river Congo, the position of the coastline, erosion, OM recycling, and biomass

Vertical party integration: informal and human linkages between elections in a Canadian province

Examining multi-level vertical party linkages in Canada’s largest province, this paper makes two primary contributions to the literature. First, drawing on data from a unique survey of constituency associations, the paper focuses on an often unexplored aspect of parties: their local organisations. Second, the paper offers an exploratory analysis of constituency level factors in order to determine which types of constituency associations are the most likely to be integrated. The results of the logistic regression demonstrate the possibility of non-party-based factors such as electoral strength that may contribute to vertical party integration

Two Political Worlds? Multi-level Campaign Integration in Canadian Constituencies

Abstract: The purpose of this article is twofold. First, using survey data from Canadian constituency associations, the article explores the extent to which federal and provincial parties engage in cross-jurisdictional coordination. In doing so, this study builds on and empirically tests findings that have been derived from earlier case studies (i.e. Koop, 2011). Far from inhabiting ‘two political worlds’ the data reveal that parties are much more connected than previously thought. Second, the article seeks to uncover why some parties and associations are more integrated than others. Examining organizational design, the article concludes that vertical party integration is not simply an organizational phenomenon, as organizationally truncated parties still engage in modest levels of informal integration. In addition, constituency level factors are also considered. The results of a multinomial logistic regression demonstrate that parties are significantly more integrated in districts where they are electorally viable compared to thos

Reconsidering vertical integration: An examination of national political parties and their counterparts in Ontario

This paper reconsiders whether federal and provincial parties are as independent and separate as the literature would suggest. Examining five different types of party personnel (party members, activists, riding presidents, candidates and legislators) this paper explores how federal parties and their counterparts in Ontario have responded to multi-level governance. Rather than embracing two political worlds, party personnel have responded to the federal nature of Canadian politics by engaging with parties at multiple levels. Additionally, the paper examines two competing explanations of party integration and seeks to uncover whether differences organizational design or ideological consistency best explain divergent levels of party integration. The experience of the Conservatives demonstrates that vertical integration is not a result of a party's organizational design alone and that a coherent ideology can help to offset a truncated organizational structure

Research Note: Negative Personalization: Party Leaders and Party Strategy

While the negative campaigning literature has witnessed tremendous growth in recent years, the precise targets of campaign negativity have not been fully explored, as candidates and their parties are largely treated as the same target. Likewise, although scholars are increasingly writing about the personalization of politics, this literature has not considered whether parties can "personalize" their opponents by focusing their messaging and attacks more on individual leaders than the parties they lead. In an attempt to bridge the gap between these two literatures, we develop the concept of negative personalization. Negative personalization, as we define it, is an emphasis on opposing party leaders in campaign communication more so than on the parties that they lead. Exploring recent election campaigns in Canada's largest province, we document the extent to which parties engage in negative personalization and suggest hypotheses for the factors leading to increased negative personalization