Canadian Government Canadian Government

National Political Parties

Political Ideologies Left Wing Centre Right Wing Larger role for government, smaller role for individuals More spending on social welfare programs Less spending on the military Government Ownership of key industries & resources Emphasis on individual rights More lenient justice system, with emphasis on rehabilitating offenders Shared role for government and individuals Maintain existing spending on social welfare programs Maintain existing spending on military Economy a mix of public and private enterprise Mix between individual rights and social order Balance between protecting society’s rights and rehabilitating offenders Larger role for individuals, smaller role for government Less spending on social welfare programs More spending on the military Economy left to the private sector, with little government interference Strict adherence to social order Stricter justice system, with harsher punishment for offenders

Opposition Party Political parties sitting in the OPPOSITION serve as watchdogs of government. Responsibility to criticize and challenge governmental policies, laws and decisions, in order to have the best possible outcomes throughout the political process. Current Opposition Party is the NDP Party Leader of the Opposition Party is Nycole Turmel

Speaker of the House There are 2 Speakers in the Houses of Parliament: Speaker of the Senate is appointed Speaker of the House of Commons is elected by the Members of Parliament in a secret ballot in the Commons Chambers after a new election. Must be a member of the House of Commons. If the speaker is English then the Deputy Speaker must be French and vice-versa

Speaker of the House The current Speaker of the House of Commons is The Hon. Andrew Scheer, M.P.

Sergeant-at-Arms The current Sergeant-at-Arms is Ms. Jill Pay.

Duties of the Sergeant at Arms Appointed by Letter Patent under the Great Seal Performs ceremonial and administrative duties Commissioner of oaths Bearing the Mace Precedes the Speaker as he or she enters and leaves the Chamber each day.  Sergeant-at-Arms preserves order in the galleries, lobbies, and corridors. Traditionally, the position has been held by military officers.

The Mace The Mace is a symbol of authority held by the Speaker of the House. It represents ancient authority of the Crown It is carried by the Sergeant-at- Arms during the Speaker’s Parade. Without the Mace the House of Commons cannot hold its proceedings. The Mace was originally a weapon of the Middle Ages. It was used by the Sergeant-at-Arms, who was the king’s body guard. It was first used in Canada in 1792. It was not returned until 1934, by Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The Usher of the Black Rod Created during the reign of Henry VIII. In Canadian Parliament, they call the House of Commons to the Senate for the Speech from the Throne or Royal Assent to Legislation. The Usher knocks of the doors of the House of Commons 3 times and when he is admitted he requests on behalf of the sovereign “the immediate attendance of the Honourable Members in the Chamber of the Honourable Senate Other duties include: Leader of the Speaker’s Parade Responsible for Senate security.

A Parliamentary Page 40 students are selected from various high schools across Canada to work as Pages in the House of Commons. They work as messengers part-time To apply to be a Page: Must be a Canadian citizen Graduating from a high school and attending university full-time in September. Have an overall academic average of 80% Speak both languages at a superior level Have been accepted to one of the universities in Ottawa or Hull.

Members of Parliament An MP is a federal representative who represents people that live in a voting area called a constituency. MPs are from all over Canada and form a group called the House of Commons. They meet at Parliament to discuss the country’s business and things that affect the people. They report to their constituents through meetings, phone calls, letters, newsletters and websites.

How is Law Made? A law or statute begins as a bill. MPs can introduce a bill in the House of Commons or the Senate. Each bill must have three readings. 1st reading = introduces the bill 2nd reading = members debate the general principles of the bill, the ideas and convictions on which it is based. Examine the details of the bill, which is done in the Committee of the Whole House. Experts are called in to give their views 3rd reading = After this, it goes to the Senate and once the Senate approves it, it goes to the Governor General for assent. Once it is signed, it becomes law is called an Act.

Elections Held every 5 years People vote for the leader they want. Held at the national, provincial and local level The PM calls for the election or if there is a vote of non-confidence, which means that the government is defeated in the House of Commons because the members no longer feel the government is working well. You must be 18 years of age. The voters elect representatives to the House of Commons.

Elections Canada is organized into app.300 electoral districts, also called ridings, seats or constituencies. In each riding, the different political parties choose candidates to run for election. The candidate that wins takes a seat in the House of Commons. The party that wins the most seats forms the government. The leader of the winning party becomes the Prime Minister.