Date post: | 23-Jan-2018 |
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The Federal GovernmentSTRUCTURE OF A CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY
Roots of the Canadian GovernmentThe principal features of our democratic government is that it is both
A) Representative (not Direct)
B) A Constitutional Monarchy
Representative- Democracy literally means “rule by the people”
- Direct Democracy means that every eligible citizen participated directly by voting in all the decisions that affected society (Greeks)
- In a REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY citizens allow elected officials to act on their behalf
- Why?
Constitutional Monarchy- Recognition of the monarch (Queen Elizabeth II) as the Head of State, represented by the Governor General
- Not involved in everyday affairs (eg. Royal assent) BUT represents a safeguard for our democracy
- The Crown has ultimate power/authority to ensure that no one can ignore the law (not even the PM)
Governor General- Because the Queen has lots to do, she has an appointed representative to rule on her behalf in Canada.
- This person is called the Governor General. They are appointed by the Prime Minister.
GG. David Johnston
How our Government Runs: The Parliamentary System- Because our government is Democratic, we have a parliament that acts on behalf of the citizens
- The Parliament is made up of all the elected representatives from throughout Canada. They are known as Members of Parliament (MP’s)
- Canada’s Head of Government is the Prime Minister. He is the leader of the elected party.
How our Government is structured- Our Federal Government has three “Branches”
1) Executive Branch: has the power to administer and carry out laws, eg:
- setting the budget, making purchases for national defense, running the day to day operations of Canada etc.
2) Legislative Branch: has the power to make and amend laws
- setting employment insurance levels, creating taxes on carbon emissions
3) Judicial Branch: Has the power to decide who has broken those laws and how to set penalties
Executive Branch: PM
- Comprised of the Prime Minister, the Cabinet, and the Governor General
Legislative Branch: House of Commons- The House of Commons is where the elected MP’s meet to pass legislation and govern the country
- Heated debates between MP’s of different parties
Legislative Branch cont.: The Senate- The Senate overlooks Bills (pieces of legislation) that have been passed by the House of Commons. Very rarely do they refuse a bill that has been passed by the H.O.C.
- The Senate is not an elected body. Members of the Senate are appointed by the Prime Minister.
- Being chosen for the Senate is seen as a “reward” for public service. Senators can hold office (and collect their nice large salaries $$$) until they are 75. Some people think the senate should be abolished…
Judicial Branch- The Judiciary is separate from the other two branches to ensure that the government acts within the boundaries of the Constitution and the law.
- Judges act as "referees" of private rights and interpreters of the Constitution
- Supreme Court, Federal Court, Provincial Court, Tax Court