Canadian Government

Canada’s Government Canada’s government has three levels: Federal Provincial Municipal The Federal government is in charge of the country The Provincial governments run the individual provinces Municipal governments are in control of individual towns and cities

Responsibilities Federal Provincial Postal Service Currency Banking Military Coasts International Relations RCMP Census Data Weights and measurements Health Care Education Licencing Local matters Determining municipal responsibilities Marriage

Federal Government Canada’s government is divided into three branches: The Legislative Branch The Executive Branch The Judicial Branch

Executive Branch Head of State: The Sovereign (Queen) is the head of state for Canada Her representative in Canada is the Governor General The Governor General signs off on Bills to make them law, allows parties to form government, and dissolves parliament for elections

Head of Government The Prime Minister is the head of government The PM is the leader of the party who forms government – they are NOT elected directly The PM chooses a group of members of parliament (MP’s) who form the cabinet. Cabinet ministers have a variety of responsibilities, such as, finance, environment, Indigenous affairs and defence The PM and their cabinet ministers propose bills in the House of Commons in hopes of getting them passed as laws

Legislative Branch The legislative branch is divided into the House of Commons and the Senate The House of Commons is the elected body of the Canadian government There are 308 seats in the House of Commons that are distributed among the provinces by population Members of parliament (MP) propose, debate, and vote on bills The party that has the most votes in the House of Commons is allowed to form government

Senate Non-elected body of government Offer a “Second Sober Thought” to bills that pass third reading Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister Senators hold their position until they are 75 years old or resign There are 105 seats in the Senate that reflect regional needs (24 for Ontario, 24 for Quebec, 24 for the Maritimes, 24 for the Western Provinces, the rest going to Newfoundland and the Territories)

Judicial Branch In charge of interpreting laws Determine whether or not laws have been broken Makes sure that the laws are consistent with what the Constitution and Charter of Rights and Freedoms says

Responsible Government Short Definition: Government is responsible to the people Detailed Definition: The executive branch is held responsible for its actions by maintaining the “confidence” of an elected assembly. Confidence of the House: The Prime Minister must have the support of a majority of the members of parliament. If the Prime Minister does not have the confidence of the house, they must resign or call an election

Majority Government: The party that forms government has half or more of the seats in the House of Commons Minority Government: The party that forms government does not have half or more of the seats in the House of Commons and must find support in other political parties in order to have the confidence of the House (also called a coalition)