Canada’s Federal and Provincial Governments

What makes government act, and how does government work? Government makes decisions about many issues, such as: Education Military Spending Environmental Issues Health Care:

Today – what makes government act, and how does government work? Why does government make these decisions? Changing circumstances = need to change laws Public opinion Court Decisions – laws made by courts cause gov’ts to change and/or create laws Election promises from party platforms

Today – what makes government act, and how does government work? SO, how does government work? Our government is organized into 3 BRANCHES Legislative Branch Executive Branch Judicial Branch See handout…

Today – what makes government act, and how does government work? The THREE Branches of Government and the Roots of Power (fill in your handout…) What is the considered the “root” or supreme law of the land? BNA Act of 1867 (write into first root of the tree, on the left) Constitution Act of 1982 (write into middle root of the tree) Laws & Traditions (write into last root of the tree, on the right) Question: What is missing, which is fundamental to a democracy? The People! (write on tree trunk)

Today – what makes government act, and how does government work? The THREE Branches of Government and the Roots of Power (fill in your handout…) What is the Legislative Branch? It is also called “Parliament” Has the power to make, change, and repeal laws Carries out plans and policies of the government in power Includes House of Commons, Senate at federal level Includes Legislative Assembly at provincial level

Today – what makes government act, and how does government work? The THREE Branches of Government and the Roots of Power EXAMPLES of what the Legislative Branch does? Recall: Has the power to make, change, & repeal laws Sets unemployment insurance payment levels (federal) Sets budgets and class sizes for education (provincial) Makes waste disposal by-laws (municipal)

House of Commons - Members of Parliament (MP’s) Legislative Branch The Branch that has the power to make and change laws ALL of the branches Exist at the FEDERAL & PROVINCIAL Levels Federal Level Provincial Level Governor General House of Commons - Members of Parliament (MP’s) Senate (Senators) Lieutenant-Governor Legislative Assembly (Members of Provincial Parliament MPP’s) Modelled after H of C No Senate

Federal Level “Parliament” What do they do? House of Commons Senate Where elected representatives (MP’s) meet to discuss/debate and vote on public issues Number of seats in parliament determined by population of Canada (338 seats) Debates are controlled by the Speaker of the House who is an MP that is chosen to be speaker by the other MP’s via secret ballot The Senate may propose a bill or amend bills passed by the House of Commons No bill can become law unless it has been passed by the senate Senators are not elected rather appointed by the Governor General on recommendation of the Prime Minister. Can serve until they are 75.

In the House of Commons the leader of the political party that holds more seats than any other political party is known as the government. The Leader of the Opposition is the 2nd largest party. They ensure that the view of all Canadians are represented in Parliament.

Question Period in the House of Commons Four days a week – criticized for barely working At this time the opposition members can raise issues and question government actions. Purpose? “Checks & Balance” in government To keep the government accountable for its actions Ensure the Prime Minister does not have too much power PM Harper & PM Jean Chretien were the only PMs in history to shut down “prorogue” Parliament-highly criticized! Often televised and shown on the news… http://www.cpac.ca/forms/index.asp?dsp=template&act=view3&pagetype=vod&hl=e&clipID=6051

Another explanation of Parliament… http://www.youtube.com/mercerreport#p/c/B06F4151F997F052/0/yi1yhp-_x7A

Today – what makes government act, and how does government work? The THREE Branches of Government and the Roots of Power What is the Executive Branch? Has the power to administer and carry out laws Includes the prime minister, the cabinet, and the public service at the federal level Includes the premier, the cabinet, and the public service at the provincial level

Today – what makes government act, and how does government work? The THREE Branches of Government and the Roots of Power EXAMPLES of what the Executive Branch does? Recall: Has the power to administer & carry out laws. What are some examples of this? Prepares national budget (federal) Sets high school diploma requirements (provincial) Inspects businesses and restaurants (municipal)

Today – what makes government act, and how does government work? The THREE Branches of Government and the Roots of Power What is the Judicial Branch? Has the power to decide who has broken the law and to set the penalties for breaking the law Also interprets laws Includes the courts & judges, separate from other branches Includes the civil law (protection of rights) and criminal law (offences against the public or society)