Canadian Federal Politics

Canadian Federal Government The primary function of government is to ensure the well being of its nation and citizens Maintain order through laws and policing services Also provides services; health care; education; welfare; employment insurance; pension plans; etc. Maintains rights and freedoms

Federal Government Governor General: representative of the monarch Chosen by the Prime Minister and appointed by the Queen Acts almost entirely on the advice of Cabinet members Head of State: supreme representative (symbolic position) No political powers David Lloyd Johnston

Federal Government Head of Government: Prime Minister Head of the political party that has the responsibility of governing the country Stephen Harper (Conservative Party of Canada)

Federal Government Parliament: name given to group of representatives who govern the country Member of Parliament (MP) is elected for each riding (approx. 100,000 people) Alex Atamanenko (MP for BC South Interior, New Democratic Party)

Federal Government House of Commons (HOC): the group of all Members of Parliament (including the Prime Minister and the Cabinet) 308 MP’s in Canada Develop Laws Decide how $ is spent If HOC rejects bill etc, PM & Cabinet must resign.

How they sit…

Federal Government Senate: 105 appointed members (Upper Chamber) Primary function is to investigate bills passed by the House of Commons For a bill to become a law the Senate must pass it (rare for it not to happen)

Canadian Senate Representation Affiliation Senators   Conservative Party 60      Liberal Party 33 Independent Progressive Conservative 1 Independent 6 Vacant 5 Total 105

Federal Government Executive Branch: make and apply government decisions Governor General and the Prime Minister Legislative Branch: make and amend laws Determine how the government will spend money it collects from the people House of Commons, the Senate and the Governor General

Federal Government Cabinet: 30 members Selected by the Prime Minister Majority from the party who won the election Each province must be represented by at least one minister Initiate new laws and administer government policy Each minister is responsible for a department of government (Finance; Defense; Transportation; etc.)

Canada’s Democracy Representative Democracy: Direct Democracy: elected officials act on behalf of the people Direct Democracy: Everyone votes for every decision Constitutional Monarchy: own constitution with British Monarch (Head of State) Governor General: Monarch representative (figurehead)

Federal State: Sign of Unification Legislative Union: No Provincial or State governments only national and municipal Federal System: Federal/Provincial/ and Municipal Each with individual responsibilities Federal: Foreign policy, immigration, taxation, criminal laws, national defense, etc. Provincial Education, health care, provincial police, roads and bridges, etc. Shared Agriculture/farming, pensions, environmental protection Municipal Libraries, local police, fire departments, parks, etc.

The Canadian Parliamentary System Page 11 Workbook: KNOW IT!

Structure of the Canadian Federal Government: Executive Branch The Prime Minister: Head of Canadian Government Voice of nation Recommend Judges and Senators Spokesperson for party Select Cabinet MPs Advise Governor General The Cabinet: Approx.. 30 members Each province is represented Initiate and guide most legislation (laws) Hold Portfolios

Executive Structure Cont. Backbenchers Members of the governing party who are not in the cabinet Party Whip Disciplines members who speak out against the party Shadow Cabinet MPs from the official opposition who shadow specific cabinet members Public Service Link between the citizens and the government Perform the day to day work of the government

The Legislative Branch The House of Commons Members of Parliament Debate legislation (bills) Speaker of the House Sergeant at Arms Mace Parliament sessions Official Opposition Question Period The Senate Review bills Clarification only (usually) Senate Controversy Lack of Specific Qualifications: Some are lawyers & ex-cabinet ministers, but some are not… Patronage: Appointed not elected, revolves around loyalty… Representation by Population 46% of Senate from Ontario & Quebec

How a Bill becomes a Law First Reading Second Reading Committee Stage Read and printed Second Reading Debate the principle Committee Stage Study study study Report Stage Make ammendments Third Reading Debate and Vote Senate Similar process Royal Assent

Proposed Senate Reform Triple-E Senate Elected Not appointed Equal No voting on party lines Effective Really not an effective or efficient structure