Branches of Government

Checks and Balances There are three branches of government in Canada 1) Executive 2) Legislative 3) Judicial

Executive- carries out the business of the Government The branch of government or organization that makes decisions and enforces rules The Crown- (Queen, Governor General, Leiutenant Governors) Government Party and Cabinet The Public Service House of Commons and Legislature

Governor General- Canada is a constitutional monarchy, meaning that because we once belonged to England, we still give the monarchy a certain level of respect in Canada. - is a figurehead (ruler in name only) - signs a bill into a law (royal assent) -appoints the Prime Minister and dissolves parliament -Reads the Throne Speech (gov’t plans in a new session of Parliament) Lieutenant Governor- Representative of the Monarch in each province, appointed by the Prime Minister for a term of 5 years - Signs bills into laws - reads Throne Speech -Promotes the province

Legislative- Makes laws The branch of government that makes laws Senate and the House of Commons (Senate: aka ‘Upper House” in Canada, the legislative branch of the federal government that is composed of Senators, who are appointed by the Prime Minister House of Commons: aka “Lower House” the structure in Ottawa where the elected member’s of Canada’s federal government meet to discuss and pass laws)

Judiciary Branch- the branch of government in which judicial power is vested Whether it presides over criminal prosecutions or civil lawsuits), the role of the judiciary is to serve as an impartial arbiter. The court's impartiality flows from the essential feature of our judicial system . Although the judiciary is sometimes regarded as equal to the executive and legislative branches of government, and although appointment, removal and remuneration of judges are dependent upon the other branches. the quality of justice to which Canadians are accustomed can only be maintained if an independent judiciary is jealously guarded.