The Role of the The Role of the Canadian GovernmentCanadian Government

Canada’s birth and growth as a Canada’s birth and growth as a NationNation

Canada created on July 1, 1867 by theCanada created on July 1, 1867 by the Constitution Act, 1867. (Formerly known as Constitution Act, 1867. (Formerly known as the British North American Act, 1867) the British North American Act, 1867)

Current Canadian population Current Canadian population 33,549,78033,549,780

Canada's population is growing by one Canada's population is growing by one unit unit every minute and 21 secondsevery minute and 21 seconds..

Canada’ Population Growth Canada’ Population Growth

This growth is broken down into: This growth is broken down into: One birth every 1 minute and 27 seconds One birth every 1 minute and 27 seconds One death every 2 minutes and 13 seconds One death every 2 minutes and 13 seconds A net migration gain of one person every 2A net migration gain of one person every 2 minutes and 1 second minutes and 1 second

At this rate, the population of Canada willAt this rate, the population of Canada will reach 33,698,817 by July 1st, 2009. reach 33,698,817 by July 1st, 2009.

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/edu/clock-horloge/edu06f_0001-eng.htmhttp://www.statcan.gc.ca/edu/clock-horloge/edu06f_0001-eng.htm

Canada’s GovernmentCanada’s Government

Democratic Constitutional Democratic Constitutional MonarchyMonarchy

with a Federal System of with a Federal System of GovernmentGovernment

What is Government?What is Government?

Organization that makes laws for Organization that makes laws for peoplepeople

The wishes of the “majority” of the The wishes of the “majority” of the peoplepeople form the law. form the law.

The majority = elected political The majority = elected political candidatescandidates by the majority of the people. by the majority of the people.

Purposes of GovernmentPurposes of Government

Two Basic Goals for Canadian GovernmentTwo Basic Goals for Canadian Government

Ensure democratic freedoms andEnsure democratic freedoms and principles are maintained which is principles are maintained which is accomplished through the enactment accomplished through the enactment ofof laws. laws.

Economic systems grow and runEconomic systems grow and run smoothly to satisfy basic needs and smoothly to satisfy basic needs and wants of all Canadians. wants of all Canadians.

The Federal GovernmentThe Federal Government

Established through the Constitution Established through the Constitution Act, 1867:Act, 1867:

1.1. Central or federal government Central or federal government (including territorial governments)(including territorial governments)

2.2. Provincial governmentsProvincial governments (including municipal governments)(including municipal governments)

Federal GovernmentFederal Government

Power to make laws in the areas of:Power to make laws in the areas of:

National defenceNational defence Monetary policiesMonetary policies Banking controlsBanking controls Social welfare programs – Canada Pension Social welfare programs – Canada Pension

Plan, and Unemployment InsurancePlan, and Unemployment Insurance Trade agreementsTrade agreements Energy and national resourcesEnergy and national resources Postal communicationsPostal communications Consumer and corporate affairsConsumer and corporate affairs

Provincial GovernmentProvincial Government

Power to make laws in the areas of:Power to make laws in the areas of: EducationEducation Provincial highwaysProvincial highways Hospital insurance plans (OHIP)Hospital insurance plans (OHIP) Natural resources such as timber Natural resources such as timber

andand minerals minerals

Labour regulationsLabour regulations Provincial courts and prisonsProvincial courts and prisons

Municipal GovernmentsMunicipal Governments

Power to make laws called by-laws in Power to make laws called by-laws in the areas of:the areas of:

Street maintenance and ParkingStreet maintenance and Parking Police and fire protectionPolice and fire protection Garbage collectionGarbage collection LibrariesLibraries Parks and PlaygroundsParks and Playgrounds

People in GovernmentPeople in Government

Patterned after Great Britain’s Patterned after Great Britain’s government, people working in government, people working in government are either:government are either:

1.1. Elected politicians (MP’s, MPP’s, Elected politicians (MP’s, MPP’s, Municipal Councillors);Municipal Councillors);

2.2. Appointed individuals (i.e. Judges Appointed individuals (i.e. Judges and Senators); orand Senators); or

3.3. Hired (Bureaucrats/civil servants)Hired (Bureaucrats/civil servants)

Elected RepresentativesElected Representatives

Federal Level Federal Level MMembers of embers of PParliament (MP’s)arliament (MP’s)

Provincial LevelProvincial Level MMembers of embers of PProvincial rovincial PParliament (MPP’s)arliament (MPP’s)or or MMembers of the embers of the LLegislative egislative AAssembly ssembly

(MLA’s)(MLA’s)

Municipal LevelMunicipal Level City Counsellors, or WardensCity Counsellors, or Wardens Town Aldermen and AlderwomenTown Aldermen and Alderwomen

ElectionsElections Elected representatives are usually members ofElected representatives are usually members of

a political party. a political party.

Elected representatives of non-parties areElected representatives of non-parties are known as “Independents.” known as “Independents.”

Each political party has a leader who speaks onEach political party has a leader who speaks on its behalf. its behalf.

The party that has the greatest number ofThe party that has the greatest number of members elected in total electoral districts members elected in total electoral districts forms the government. forms the government.

Electoral DistrictsElectoral Districts Canada is divided into 308 FederalCanada is divided into 308 Federal

Districts/Ridings Districts/Ridings

http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/process/house/partystandings/standings-e.hthttp://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/process/house/partystandings/standings-e.htmm

Changes to numbers of districts after 2011 Changes to numbers of districts after 2011 census census Ontario gains 21 more seatsOntario gains 21 more seats 11 or 12 seats for Alberta and BC11 or 12 seats for Alberta and BC

The number of seats should reflect the provinces The number of seats should reflect the provinces population proportion of Canada’s total population proportion of Canada’s total

population with certain exceptions for smaller population with certain exceptions for smaller and low-growth provinces such as PEIand low-growth provinces such as PEI..

Registered Federal Political Registered Federal Political PartiesParties

• Animal Alliance Animal Alliance EnvironmentEnvironmentVoters Party of CanadaVoters Party of Canada

• Bloc QuebecoisBloc Quebecois• Canadian Action PartyCanadian Action Party• Christian Heritage Party ofChristian Heritage Party of

CanadaCanada• Communist Party of CanadaCommunist Party of Canada• First Peoples National Party First Peoples National Party

ofofCanadaCanada

• Green Party of CanadaGreen Party of Canada• Liberal Party of CanadaLiberal Party of Canada• Libertarian Party of CanadaLibertarian Party of Canada

• Marijuana PartyMarijuana Party• Marxist-Leninist Party ofMarxist-Leninist Party of

CanadaCanada• Neorhino.caNeorhino.ca• New Democratic PartyNew Democratic Party• Newfoundland and Newfoundland and

LabradorLabradorFirst partyFirst party

• People’s Political Power People’s Political Power Party of CanadaParty of Canada

• Progressive Canadian PartyProgressive Canadian Party• Western Block PartyWestern Block Party• Work Less PartyWork Less Party

Deregistered Political PartyDeregistered Political Party Natural Law Party of Canada Natural Law Party of Canada

(voluntary)(voluntary)

Political Parties that Lost their Political Parties that Lost their EligibilityEligibility

National Alternative Party of CanadaNational Alternative Party of Canada The Ontario Party of CanadaThe Ontario Party of Canada Absolutely Absurd PartyAbsolutely Absurd Party

Canada’s Electoral SystemCanada’s Electoral System

First Past the Post – FPTPFirst Past the Post – FPTP The party that has the greatest The party that has the greatest

number of members elected in number of members elected in total electoral districts forms total electoral districts forms the government.the government.

Currently of 308 seats at the Federal Level:Currently of 308 seats at the Federal Level:CPCPC C – 143 Seats– 143 Seats N.D.P – 36 SeatsN.D.P – 36 SeatsLib - 77 SeatsLib - 77 Seats Ind – 2 SeatsInd – 2 SeatsB.Q. – 47B.Q. – 47 Vacant – 3 (10-12-13)Vacant – 3 (10-12-13)

CConservativesonservatives = 143 Seats = Minority Government= 143 Seats = Minority GovernmentTotal Opposition Parties Total Opposition Parties = = 165165

308308

http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/process/house/partystandings/standings-e.htm

Minority vs. Majority Minority vs. Majority GovernmentGovernment

Majority GovernmentMajority GovernmentThe political party whose member The political party whose member

candidates were elected in 155+ candidates were elected in 155+ electoral districts (represents 50%+ electoral districts (represents 50%+ of 308 seats)of 308 seats)

Discuss Pros and Cons of a: Discuss Pros and Cons of a: Majority GovernmentMajority GovernmentMinority Government Minority Government

ElectionsElections

If a party forms the government, the leader of If a party forms the government, the leader of the party at the:the party at the:

Federal LevelFederal Level Prime MinisterPrime Minister

Provincial LevelProvincial Level PremierPremier

MunicipalMunicipal

MayorMayor

FPTP vs. Proportional VoteFPTP vs. Proportional VoteAssume Canada only has:Assume Canada only has: 3 electoral districts/ridings 3 electoral districts/ridings Population of 60,000 with 20,000 in each district, wherePopulation of 60,000 with 20,000 in each district, where Every citizen votes Every citizen votes Only 4 federal parties (CPC, Lib, NDP, BQ)Only 4 federal parties (CPC, Lib, NDP, BQ)

FPTP - Assume Election Results are as follows:FPTP - Assume Election Results are as follows:District 1District 1 District 2District 2 District 3District 3CPC - 7500CPC - 7500 CPC – 7800CPC – 7800 CPC - 2000CPC - 2000Lib – 7000Lib – 7000 Lib - 7700Lib - 7700 Lib - 12000Lib - 12000NDP – 5000NDP – 5000 NDP - 3500NDP - 3500 NDP – 3000NDP – 3000BQ - 500BQ - 500 BQ - 1000BQ - 1000 BQ - 3000BQ - 3000CPC wins seatCPC wins seat CPC wins seatCPC wins seat Lib wins seatLib wins seat

ELECTION RESULTS = CPC forms the government as it won 2 out of the 3 seats.ELECTION RESULTS = CPC forms the government as it won 2 out of the 3 seats.

Proportional Vote:Proportional Vote:CPC = (7500 + 7800 + 2000)/60,000 x 100 = 17 300/60,000 = .29 = 29 %CPC = (7500 + 7800 + 2000)/60,000 x 100 = 17 300/60,000 = .29 = 29 %Lib = (7000 + 7700+ 12 000)/60,000 x 100 = 26 700/60,000 = .445 = 44.5 %Lib = (7000 + 7700+ 12 000)/60,000 x 100 = 26 700/60,000 = .445 = 44.5 %NDP = (5000 + 3500 + 3000)/60,000 x 100 = 11 500/60,000 = .19 = 19 %NDP = (5000 + 3500 + 3000)/60,000 x 100 = 11 500/60,000 = .19 = 19 %BQ = (500 + 1000 + 3000)/60,000 x 100 = 4500/60,000 = .07 = 7 %BQ = (500 + 1000 + 3000)/60,000 x 100 = 4500/60,000 = .07 = 7 %

NOTE: CPC’s only obtained 29% of the popular vote, but won 2 seats so the party formsNOTE: CPC’s only obtained 29% of the popular vote, but won 2 seats so the party forms the government. Lib obtained 44.5% of the popular vote, but will only sit as the the government. Lib obtained 44.5% of the popular vote, but will only sit as the Opposition party. Opposition party.

The Governing PartyThe Governing Party

The leader of the party selects members of their party whoThe leader of the party selects members of their party who were elected to advise and help run the government. were elected to advise and help run the government.

These individuals are known as cabinet ministersThese individuals are known as cabinet ministers

Cabinet ministers are in charge of a certain government department, Cabinet ministers are in charge of a certain government department, also called ministries. also called ministries. (i.e. Minister of Environment, Minister of National Defence, Minister of (i.e. Minister of Environment, Minister of National Defence, Minister of

ForeignForeign Affairs, Minister of Natural Resources etc.) Affairs, Minister of Natural Resources etc.)

Ministries employ thousands of civil servants (bureaucrats)Ministries employ thousands of civil servants (bureaucrats)

The Party with the second highest number of elected seats forms The Party with the second highest number of elected seats forms thethe Official Opposition (or “Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition”) and the Official Opposition (or “Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition”) and the leader leader selects elected members to selects elected members to mirror many of the cabinet ministers mirror many of the cabinet ministers positions.positions.

TWO MAIN BRANCHES OF TWO MAIN BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENTGOVERNMENT

Le

gislat

ive

Bran

ch

Executive Branch

Executive BranchExecutive Branch

Federal LevelFederal Level Provincial Level Provincial Level Municipal Municipal LevelLevel

Governor-GeneralGovernor-General Lieutenant-GovernorLieutenant-Governor Mayor Mayor SchoolboardSchoolboard

Prime MinisterPrime Minister Premier Premier & & Chair &Chair &

& & & & Committees Committees CommitteesCommittees

______CabinetCabinet_____ _________ ____Cabinet_______Cabinet_______ ___________________ ___________________

Civil Servants Civil Servants Civil Civil Servants Civil Servants Civil ServantsServants

Legislative BranchLegislative Branch(The Law Making Branch)(The Law Making Branch)

Federal LevelFederal Level

House of CommonsHouse of Commons SenateSenate

MP’sMP’s

Governing Opposition Governing Opposition SenatorsSenators

Party Parties (Appointed)Party Parties (Appointed)

Royal Assent (Governor General)Royal Assent (Governor General)

+

+

Legislative BranchLegislative Branch(Law Making Branch)(Law Making Branch)

Provincial LevelProvincial Level Municipal LevelMunicipal Level

Legislative AssemblyLegislative Assembly Town/City CouncilTown/City Council SchoolboardSchoolboard

MPP’s/MLA’sMPP’s/MLA’s

Governing OppositionGoverning Opposition Aldermen Aldermen Trustees Trustees Party Parties Party Parties or or

(Legislature)(Legislature) CouncillorsCouncillors

Royal Assent Royal Assent

(Lieutenant Governor)(Lieutenant Governor)

+

+

Appointed OfficialsAppointed Officials

Three Groups of Appointees:Three Groups of Appointees:

1. The monarchy1. The monarchy

2. The Senate, 2. The Senate,

3. The Judiciary3. The Judiciary

The MonarchyThe MonarchyFederal Level Federal Level Queen Elizabeth II appoints the Queen Elizabeth II appoints the Governor General on the advice ofGovernor General on the advice of the Prime Minister.the Prime Minister.

Provincial LevelProvincial Level The Governor General appoints the The Governor General appoints the Lieutenant-Governors on the advice ofLieutenant-Governors on the advice of the Prime Minister (the Province has no say).the Prime Minister (the Province has no say).

Constitutional and Traditional DutiesConstitutional and Traditional Duties Those impacting laws include:Those impacting laws include:

Providing Royal Assent to bills that have passed through the House of Commons Providing Royal Assent to bills that have passed through the House of Commons and the Senateand the Senate

Power to prorogue ParliamentPower to prorogue Parliament Power to dissolve Parliament, order elections, and summon ParliamentPower to dissolve Parliament, order elections, and summon Parliament Ensure Canada has a Prime MinisterEnsure Canada has a Prime Minister Constitutional “safety valve” – Reserve Powers to deny Royal Assent or to fire a Constitutional “safety valve” – Reserve Powers to deny Royal Assent or to fire a

Prime Minister or Premier – rarely used.Prime Minister or Premier – rarely used.

The Honourable David C.

Onley, O.Ont.

His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston

SenatorsSenators

Appointed by the Prime MinisterAppointed by the Prime Minister 105 Senators105 Senators Appointed for life (until the age of 75)Appointed for life (until the age of 75) A Senator may be removed if s/he fails to attend two consecutive A Senator may be removed if s/he fails to attend two consecutive

sessions of Parliament, declares bankruptcy, is convicted for sessions of Parliament, declares bankruptcy, is convicted for treason or a felony, or ceases to reside or own property in the treason or a felony, or ceases to reside or own property in the province s/he represents. province s/he represents.

DutiesDuties Law revising chamberLaw revising chamber Investigative Chamber Investigative Chamber Regional Representation – (Maritimes (24), Ontario (24), Quebec Regional Representation – (Maritimes (24), Ontario (24), Quebec

(24), Western Canada (24) , Northern Canada (9)(24), Western Canada (24) , Northern Canada (9)

The main function of Parliament:The main function of Parliament:Making LawsMaking Laws

3 Main elements of Every Law3 Main elements of Every Law

Authority Authority Constitution outlines the authority the various levels of Constitution outlines the authority the various levels of

government have over making lawsgovernment have over making laws

PromulgationPromulgation A law must be published in a form accessible to the pubicA law must be published in a form accessible to the pubic Published in the Canadian Gazette or a provincial gazette, can be Published in the Canadian Gazette or a provincial gazette, can be

obtained in government bookstores and on the internetobtained in government bookstores and on the internet

EnforcementEnforcement The police The police The courts who interpret, explain, and apply the lawsThe courts who interpret, explain, and apply the laws

Note:Note: We’ll take a look at the structure of Canada’s courts at a later We’ll take a look at the structure of Canada’s courts at a later time.time.

The Passing of A BillThe Passing of A Bill

Note: Note:

There is no Senate at the provincial There is no Senate at the provincial level, thus after a bill goes through level, thus after a bill goes through the third reading in the Provincial the third reading in the Provincial Legislature, it then goes to the Legislature, it then goes to the Lieutenant Governor for Royal Lieutenant Governor for Royal Assent.Assent.