Would you ever consider voting for an independent or a third party candidate? Why or
why not?

Explanation:

In the US it is unthinkable to be something other than a Republican or a Democrat.

Canada is much different. We have 2 main parties and 3 others that get some elected to the House of Commons (think the House of Representatives in the United States).

We don't think that our government is going to fall apart just because we have minorities that can be sizable. In the past, some of our best legislation became laws because the majority in a coalition had to give the minority something or they wouldn't support the main part in a coalition.

We even has one party whose mandate is to separate from Canada. We're not afraid to hear their opinions: they have valid objections and if we are wise we will listen. They are in the House of Commons and they speak on a regular basis. They are not labeled as crackpots by anyone who listens to them and they are honored outside their realm of influence. They are not investigated by the RCMP just because they have different opinions.

I live in Alberta Canada. We don't vote. We stampede. Usually a conservative government is elected. (Think of the way the Republicans used to be). Almost the whole province will elect members that are conservative. Being in the opposition in Alberta is a tough assignment, but sometimes their ideas do get taken care of by a government of the right. Alberta is one of the few places I know of where the left and right listen to each other. They don't at times debate sensibly, but you can tell that there is some good ideas below all the bluster.

It's not a bad thing to have other parties. More different voices are heard this way.  More concerns are taken care of this way.

6.3%

explanation:

the acceptance rate for yale university is 6.3%. this means that only 6 percent of people who apply actually get accepted!