Canadian Government – Levels and Branches

Canadian Federal Government The formal head of state in Canada is: The British Monarch Queen Elizabeth II Age: 90 Became queen on Feb 6th, 1952 (65 years!!!!) How many Canadian Prime Ministers has she seen? 12

The Queen Formal head of state, but has no active role in Canadian government She’s not in Canada very often so she is represented by…

Governor General Designate: Julie Payette Outgoing GG: David Johnston The Governor General Governor General Designate: Julie Payette To be sworn in on Oct 2, 2017 Outgoing GG: David Johnston Served from 2010-2017 The GG is appointed by the Queen from a recommendation by the Prime Minister.

But what does the Governor General do??? The Queen’s representative in Canada. A member of both the Executive and Legislative Branches of Government Commander in Chief of Canada’s armed forces. Swears in the Prime Minister and their Cabinet Appoints Senators & Supreme Court Justices on recommendation by the PM Required to give royal assent to all government bills. Calls elections

The Executive Branch Runs day to day business of government “Decision Maker” Runs day to day business of government Proposes ideas for new laws Enforces Laws: Makes sure laws are carried out Who is in it?

The Executive Branch How it works: The Prime Minister: head of federal government decision making in Canada The Prime Minister appoints Cabinet Ministers from elected members of his/her party to help him make decisions

The Prime Minister – Justin Trudeau The Prime Minister leads the House of Commons (seen as the “First Among Equals”) He or she is also the leader of the majority party in the House of Commons The office of the Prime Minister has no fixed term. (general elections are held every four-five years) The Prime Minister holds office only with the backing of the majority of the House of Commons. If a Prime Minister loses support through a vote of non confidence by the House of Commons, he/she must resign to request the Governor General to call a new general election.

Some Well Known Prime Ministers of Canada Pierre Elloitt Trudeau 1968-1979 1980- 1984 Sir John A Macdonald 1867- 1873 Sir Wilfred Laurier 1911- 1917

The Cabinet Part of the Executive The Prime Minister’s Cabinet is made up of approx. 30 ministers. These ministers are chosen by the Prime Minister from the majority party in the House of Commons. (see page 25 or next slide) The Cabinet and the Prime Minister decide the policies the Government will follow. (“Decision Makers”) Each province must be represented by at least one minister. Each minister is given a “portfolio” - which means that he or she is responsible for a specific government department.

The Cabinet Justin Trudeau’s Cabinet – Nov 2015 Cabinet Shuffle – Jan 2017 Cabinet Changes – August 2017

The Executive Branch Executive: Decision Makers, Leaders of Government

The Legislative Branch The “Law Makers” Made up of the two houses of Parliament Part of the government that creates laws “Lower House” or House of Commons “Upper House” or Senate

The Legislative Branch The House of Commons: Made up of representatives elected from the local level, called Members of Parliament (MPs) There are 338 seats in the House of Commons All legislation must be approved (win a majority vote) by the House in order to become law. Who is the MP for Lethbridge? If there are 338 votes, how many do you need for a majority?

The Legislative Branch The Senate: Appointed members of government – 105 seats All legislation must be approved by the Senate before it can become law. Generally customary for the Senate to automatically approve a bill if it has been passed by the House of Commons “Sober Second Thought”

The Legislative Branch: The Executive Branch The Legislative Branch: Also referred to as “Parliament” The House of Commons The Senate The Governor General

The Judicial Branch Interprets laws: Decides what the law means aka Justice Interprets laws: Decides what the law means Tries people accused of breaking laws

Supreme Court of Canada Federal Court of Canada The Judicial Branch Supreme Court of Canada Made up of 9 judges (why 9?) Nominated by PM Federal Court of Canada Provincial Courts

A Few Comedians View of Our System Rick Mercer: The Mercer Report John Stewart: The Daily Show

Each Level of Government in Canada has: An Executive Branch – role? A Legislative Branch – role? And a Judicial Branch – role?

What are the levels of government?

Federal Government Executive… Legislative… Judicial… The Queen The Governor General (Julie Payette) is the Queen’s representative in Canada. (appointed) The Prime Minister (Justin Trudeau) is the main spokesperson of Canada. In the House of Commons, the PM is seen as “The First Among Equals” He appoints a Cabinet to help him lead Legislative… The House of Commons – contains 338 MPs (Members of Parliament), who have been elected from all across Canada. (The Executive is a part of the Legislative as well) The Senate – contains 105 Senators who have been appointed by the PM and GG. (ex Romeo Dallaire) Judicial… The Supreme Court of Canada is Canada’s highest court.

Provincial Government Executive… The Lieutenant-Governor (Don Ethell) is the Queen’s representative in the province. (appointed) Premier (Rachel Notley) – is the main spokesperson for the province - elected She appoints a Cabinet to help her lead Legislative… MLAs (Members of the Legislative Assembly) are elected and sit in The Alberta Legislature in Edmonton Judicial… The Provincial Court of Alberta

Federal Provincial Edmonton Ottawa

Local or Municipal Government Lethbridge Municipal Election: October 16, 2017 Executive… Mayor (Chris Spearman) elected position Main spokesperson for the city Legislative… City Council (aldermen) - elected Judicial… City of Lethbridge Courthouse