Navigating the Political Universe

“Raising awareness of development policy, including the need for more aid effectiveness, needs to be part of any strategy for renewing Canada’s foreign aid… …There is a need for public discussion, writing campaigns and carrying your views on development to the ballot box.” Nilima Gulrajani - Globe & Mail

Objectives To gain a deeper understanding of how the Canadian political system functions, in the aim of executing more informed advocacy work To gain a sense of the opportunities and challenges within the system

responsibility

The Cabinet Has authority to: Propose new laws Introduce government bills into the legislature Approve major policy and spending decisions for all government bodies Develop and propose the budget Approve appointments to Crown corporations, agencies, boards and commissions

The Prime Minister More power than the American President! Responsible for: appointing and leading the cabinet changing “machinery of government” changing “machinery of government” changes in government, new policies final funding allocations for new initiatives (ex. G8 agriculture spending)

The PM Advisors Political staff (PMO/Premier’s Office): chief of staff, policy advisors, regional advisors, press secretary, etc. Privy Council Office/Cabinet Office Led by the Clerk of the Privy Council/Secretary of Cabinet Provides non-partisan advice to PM Oversees cabinet agenda Provides strategic direction and coordination to all government departments

Government ministries Political lead: the Minister chosen by PM, usually non-experts advised by political staff: Executive Assistant or Chief of Staff; policy advisors; legislative assistant 3 roles: responsible for department, as member of governing party, and representing constituency

Government ministries Civil service lead: Deputy Minister Reports to Minister and Clerk of the PCO/Cabinet Secretary Appointed by PM/Premier Co-ordinates and manages all departments or divisions Conduit for information from civil services to the Minister Politically neutral, but politically sensitive

Parliament! Four main functions: Establish legitimate government through electoral process To make government work (give authority for funds to govern the country) To make government behave (act as watchdog on executive authority) To make an alternative government (if opposition presents itself as credible choice)

Parliament Central representative institution (MPs) 308 MPs, representation by population Elected by First-Past-the-Post Does not play a dominant role in making policy Role in legislation and producing resolutions/committee reports directed more at scrutinizing what the government does than formulating policy

Daily Business in da House Introducing bills “tabling” documents – submitting to the House to be in official public records Passing “motions” expressing the will of Parliament to the government/public Reading statements by individual members Voting on bills to pass new laws Question Period Also have “opposition days”, emergency debates

Role of the Opposition 3 basic groups of MPs 1) Ministers + parliamentary secretaries 2) Members who support the government 3) Members who oppose the government

Role of the Opposition Work to make sure differing views on gov’t initiatives are presented and expressed publicly Challenge and debate all proposed legislation, watchdog on gov’t conduct “Official Opposition” – opp. party with most seat Debate time divided up by # of seats

Senate and Crown Senate: - Second house of Parliament -‘Sober second thought’ - Can also propose legislation but House has final say - Can study legislation in committees and produce reports (ex. Aid effectiveness and Africa) - Unelected body, provincial quotas Crown: -Governor General; little power; opens and closes Parliament, represents the Queen; diplomatic functions

Bill  Law Intro 1st Reading 2 nd ReadingCommitteeReport3 rd ReadingSenate Royal Assent

Policy Process 1 Setting the agenda Based on election promises, ideas from various sources; media, think tanks, constituency groups, not-for-profits Once elected, consult with central bureaucracy Draft Speech from the Throne These commitments are repeated and explained in more detail through minister’s speeches, political announcements, caucus groups, department sites

Policy Process 2 Policy Design How it will work = mostly bureaucracy-determined Elected politicians can’t evaluate all implications of a policy on their own main role is to ensure bureaucracy provides opportunity for public consultation Departments look at money, feasibility, whether new legislation needed or amendment Once designed, sent to minister Minister decides whether it will be well-received politically, may make changes

Policy Process 3 Cabinet Review Ministers evaluate final policy design Yes or No? How much money? When to launch? Public reaction? Media reaction?

Policy Process 4 Legislative Approval If needs legislative change, will go through both houses for approval Changes made through amendments

Top-down decisions Minister of Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Assistant Deputy Minister Director General Deputy Director Desk Officer Bottom-up decisions

POLICY MPs Senators Parliamentary/ Legislative Committees Parliamentary Secretaries Caucus Committees First Minister & Cabinet Political Assistants Munic/Provs/ Territories Coalitions, Advocacy Groups, NGOs Public Opinion Firms /Think Tanks MediaMid-level Officials (i.e. directors, policy analysts, researchers) Senior Officials (i.e. Clerk/Secretary, Deputy Ministers, ADMs)

Questions?

Article discussion Who had a chance to read it? (green lights) Anyone want to share any thoughts? Anything surprising or unsurprising?

Next Time Wednesday, July 22 8pm EST on WebTrain Topic: Exploring the Media Moonscape Homework: Media-scanning