https://www.polleverywhere.com/multiple_choice_polls/oYoTr1Y4gN3jeet

Canada is a…… ……. democratic parliamentary federal constitutional monarchy…..or something like that? Division of Powers Federal National Defense, Immigration, Foreign Policy, First Nations, et al… Provincial Education, Healthcare, Driver’s License, Property, et al….. Municipal Parks & Recreation, Police, Infrastructure (roads, bridges, etc…), … Branches of Government Executive Queen Governor- General Prime Minister Cabinet (Ministers) Legislative House of Commons Senate Judiciary Supreme Court of Canada Federal Courts Provincial Courts

Federal Level Provincial Level Federal-Provincial Differences the Executive Branch Federal Level Provincial Level Branch: Executive Branch: Executive Governor General (representing the Monarch; head of state - the Queen) Lieutenant Governor (representing the Monarch at the Provincial level) Prime Minister (head of government) Cabinet Premier (head of government)

Federal Level Provincial Level Federal-Provincial Differences the Legislative Branch Federal Level Provincial Level Branch: Legislative Branch: Legislative Parliament (House of Commons and Senate) Provincial Legislature Senate (Appointed Senators) NO SENATE EQUIVALENT AT PROVINCIAL LEVEL House of Commons (Elected MP’s) Legislative Assembly (Elected MLA’s) Government (Party with the largest number of seats in the House of Commons) (Party with the largest number of seats in the Legislative Assembly) Official Opposition (Party with the second largest number of seats) Voters

the Executive Branch the Monarchy Head of State – Queen Elizabeth II Symbolism? Ceremony? Democratic tradition? Powers are limited by a constitution, as well as ‘custom and convention’ the Governor General represents the Crown in Canada (6 yr term) appointed by the Queen on advice from the Prime Minister Duties: Speech from the Throne (Written by Prime Minister’s Office) Dissolves Parliament (on advice from PM), which starts the election process following elections, formally requests that the majority party form government Royal Assent given to legislation passed in Parliament – this is how laws are made! receives foreign dignitaries, ensures continuity of governance in Canada, other stuff….. the Prime Minister Head of Government the power of appointment……Cabinet, the Senate, the judiciary, crown corporations, et al….. 5 yr term limits, unless PM/majority party loses confidence of the legislature (H of C) PM has not limitation on term limits served…….W. L. M. King served 22 years as Canadian PM! Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is a powerful body within government…… the Cabinet ‘Cabinet Solidarity?’ where real political power rests in Canadian government Ministers head government ministries – i.e. Department of National Defense, Fisheries, et al……

the Legislative Branch House of Commons Elected – 338 seats – Member of Parliament (MP) Speaker of the House moderator of debate….discipline? elected by MPs at beginning of Parliament announces vote results ‘party discipline’ caucus meetings party solidarity – a problem vis-à-vis ‘direct democracy?’ Question Period Opposition parties hold government to account….. ‘shadow ministers’ Senate Appointed by PM with appreciation for regions of Canada – 105 seats ‘patronage’ Qualifications? Purpose? – counter-balance regional powers od Quebec & Ontario - act as an agency of ‘sober second thought’ to H of C

42nd Canadian Parliament – House of Commons Seating by Political Party Liberal – 182 (Red) Conservative – 97 (Blue) NDP – 41 (Orange) Bloc Quebecois – 10 (Aqua) Green Party – 1 (Green) People’s Party – 1 (Dark Blue) Cooperative Commonwealth – 1 Independent – 2 (Gray) Empty seats - 3 (white)

Bill Originates in Cabinet the Passage of Legislation......how ‘bills’ become laws (or ‘Acts,’ as they are called in Canada….) Bill Originates in Cabinet Introduced into House of Commons First Reading Second Reading Committee Stage Third Reading Back To the Senate - Three Readings Royal Assent

BC Legislature May 9, 2017 Election Results – ‘Historic Parliament’ Liberal Party – 43 Seats New Democratic Party – 41 Seats Green Party – 3 Seats Who will govern BC? Which political party will have the confidence of the House? Role of Governor General (Lt. Gov Judith Guichon) Christy Clark attempted to govern, as was her right – ‘custom and convention’ She would seek the confidence of the House….knowing full well she didn’t have it…. Liberals lose ‘confidence’ vote, Clark seeks ‘dissolution’ of parliament Horgan has support of Green caucus – though not a ‘coalition’ Lt. Gov refused Clark’s request of ‘dissolution’ Lt. Gov requested Horgan meet her and asked if he had ‘confidence’ of the House NDP Minority Gov’t Clark would resign later that summer (eventually replaced by Andrew Wilkinson) Speaker of the House – Daryl Plecas, a Liberal MLA Plecas was kicked out of caucus for this…..critical of Clark’s style 1st non-majority government in BC since 1952 End of majority Lib. gov’t in power since 2001 1st election fed/prov election w/ more than one Green Minority Parliament 87 seats requires 44 seats to be won for majority