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Government & Law The Structure of Canada’s Government.

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Government & Law The Structure of Canada’s Government
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Page 1: Government & Law The Structure of Canada’s Government.

Government & LawThe Structure of Canada’s Government

Page 2: Government & Law The Structure of Canada’s Government.

What is Government?

• Formal system of decision making

• Govt acts according to established rules and procedures – traditions

• Institutions carry out govt’s work

Page 3: Government & Law The Structure of Canada’s Government.

Foundations of Our Government

• First Nations– Hereditary title– Elected leaders– Community leadership– Oral traditions

• European Roots of Canadian system– British parliamentary tradition basis for federal &

provincial governments• Representative democracy• Constitutional monarchy

Page 4: Government & Law The Structure of Canada’s Government.

Parliament Hill

www.arrakeen.ch/

Page 5: Government & Law The Structure of Canada’s Government.

Queen of Canada

http://en.wikipedia.org

Page 6: Government & Law The Structure of Canada’s Government.

Representative democracy

• Democracy – rule by the people

• Greek – direct - eligible citizens vote o all decisions affecting society

• Representative – elected representatives make decisions on our behalf

Page 7: Government & Law The Structure of Canada’s Government.

Constitutional Monarchy

• Monarch as Head of State

• Queen Elizabeth II is Queen of Canada

• Governor General is Monarch’s representative in Canada

• QEII does not actually rule Canada but safeguards democracy

• Laws cannot be ignored

http://collections.ic.gc.ca

Page 8: Government & Law The Structure of Canada’s Government.

Written Constitution

• 1867 British North America Act (BNA)• Amended in 1982

– Powers of provincial legislatures & Parliament– Charter of Rights and Freedoms– An amending formula (7/10 >50% population)

• Unwritten constitution– Rules & practices that are not written but are based

on 1000 years of parliamentary tradition inherited from Britain e.g.: no mention of political parties in the Constitution but important part of our system

Page 9: Government & Law The Structure of Canada’s Government.

Federal System

• An organization of regional governments (provinces) acting on behalf of its own residents with a central govt responsible for matters of the nation as a whole – federalism

• Federal e.g.:– Citizenship– Defense– Currency– Residual powers – new areas that did not exist then

• Provincial e.g.:– Education– Health care

• Shared e.g.:– Agriculture– Environment

Page 10: Government & Law The Structure of Canada’s Government.

Municipal Government

• Local, municipal provides essential services such as– Garbage collection– Sewage treatment– Fire protection– Policing– Water supply– Establishment of schools

Page 11: Government & Law The Structure of Canada’s Government.

What level of govt?

www.canadabay.nsw.gov.auwww.forces.gc.ca/

www5.kcn.ne.jpwww.radio-canada.ca/

Page 12: Government & Law The Structure of Canada’s Government.

Parliamentary System

• Executive– Power to make decisions and administer

through civil service

• Legislative– Power to make laws

• Judicial– Power to interpret and administer the law– Carried out by judiciary (judges & courts)

Page 13: Government & Law The Structure of Canada’s Government.

The Federal Government

• Legislative Branch – comprised of

• Governor General• House of Commons• Senate

– Parliament must meet once a year (session)– Passes, amends, repeals laws – debates– Question periods

Page 14: Government & Law The Structure of Canada’s Government.

House of Commons

• Elected Members of Parliament (MPs)• Elections every 5 years• Canada divided into ridings (constituencies of

approx 100,000 people each)• Population decides number of seats• Speaker of the House controls debates• Members sit with parties• Ruling party on one side; opposition on other• Opposition scrutinizes actions of govt

Page 15: Government & Law The Structure of Canada’s Government.

House of Commons (Lower House)

www.craigmarlatt.com

Page 16: Government & Law The Structure of Canada’s Government.

How do MPs vote?

• Elected representatives of each party hold private meetings called caucus

• Discuss, argue freely• Leader explains party policy, programmes,

actions• Once decision is made, tradition holds that

members will vote in favour of party’s position• Free vote – allows members to vote according to

what they believe is best

Page 17: Government & Law The Structure of Canada’s Government.

The Senate (Upper House)

• Independent of House of Commons

• Appoints own Speaker

• Governor General appoints Senators on recommendation of PM– Canadian citizens– At least 30 years old– Living in province they represent– Own at least $4000 worth of property

Page 18: Government & Law The Structure of Canada’s Government.

The Senate (Upper House)

• Main role to provide final check on legislation passed in Lower House

• Senate may also introduce bills

• Regional representation – by population

• Appointments based on patronage– Some believe Senate represents upper

income groups and party interests

Page 19: Government & Law The Structure of Canada’s Government.

The Executive Branch

• Consists of– Governor general– Prime Minister– Cabinet– Civil Service

• Governor General– Monarch’s representative– Gives formal assent to bill before it becomes law– Ceremonial function– Advisor to the govt

Page 20: Government & Law The Structure of Canada’s Government.

The Prime Minister

• Leader of party with most elected members of the House of Commons is invited to become Prime Minister by Governor General

• Head of Government– Ask Gov Gen to name new judges– Best time to ask Gov Gen to call election– Chooses & shuffles Cabinet– Addresses Canadians on issues of national concern– Explains goals of ruling party (party leader)– Represents Canada internationally– Works with Premiers– Patronage appointments – Senate, diplomatic corps

Page 21: Government & Law The Structure of Canada’s Government.

The Cabinet

• Elected party members chosen by PM• Each cabinet minister is responsible for a

particular govt dept• Reflects nation

– Gender– Ethnicity– Cultural, social and linguistic diversity

• Free opinions in Cabinet meetings but Cabinet Solidarity publicly (party whip to ensure solidarity and attendance for voting)

Page 22: Government & Law The Structure of Canada’s Government.

The Public Service• Civil service/bureaucracy• Permanent employees doing govt business• The face of govt• Duties

– Gather stats– Write details for new laws– Represent Canada abroad– Carry out laws– Collect taxes– Monitor imports & exports– Process passports– Deliver mail– Advise ministers– Draft laws

Page 24: Government & Law The Structure of Canada’s Government.

How a Bill Becomes Law

Page 25: Government & Law The Structure of Canada’s Government.

Provincial/Territorial Governments

• 3 branches– Executive– Legislative– Judicial

• Premier is leader of government• Lieutenant Governor represents Monarch• One house (Legislature; National

Assembly in Quebec)– MLA or MPP

Page 26: Government & Law The Structure of Canada’s Government.

Education

• Provincial curriculum

• Local School Boards

• Regulate teachers

Page 27: Government & Law The Structure of Canada’s Government.

Environment

• Policies and laws about how resources are managed

• Balance current demand plus future use – sustainability

Page 28: Government & Law The Structure of Canada’s Government.

Health Care & Social Welfare

• Shared with federal govt• How to provide care• Hospitals, testing, long term care• Aging population

– Require more health services– Preventative care– 2 tier?

• Social welfare– Disabled– Single mothers

Page 29: Government & Law The Structure of Canada’s Government.

Transportation

• Urban transit

• Develop railways, ports, highways and airports

Page 30: Government & Law The Structure of Canada’s Government.

Negotiating with the Federal Govt

• Equalization and transfer payments

• Work constantly to redefine balance of power

• Disputes resolved through Supreme Court of Canada

Page 31: Government & Law The Structure of Canada’s Government.

Local Governments

• Town council

• Elected officials - councillors

• Leader – Mayor

• Bylaws

Page 32: Government & Law The Structure of Canada’s Government.

Aboriginal Self-Government

• Band councils or elders

• Leader – Chief

• Negotiate with Federal and Provincial govt

http://www.kib.ca/chief.htm


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