1. THE STRUCTURE OF CANADA’S GOVERNMENT CHAPTER 9

2. REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY Democracy = “rule by the people” Introduced by ancient Greeks Direct democracy = each eligible citizen directly participates by voting in all decisions which affect society Large populations of modern society need more practical method, so Canada is a… Representative democracy = citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf

3. CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY Constitutional monarchy = recognition of a monarch (king or queen) as head of state Canada’s ties to Great Britain mean that Elizabeth II is our monarch Governor general = represents monarch in Canada The queen, and the governor general as her representative, have the power of the Crown The Crown’s ultimate authority overrules anyone else’s (even the prime minister’s) Royal assent is required before law is passed, but queen is not involved in everyday affairs of governing Canada

4. THE WRITTEN CONSTITUTION Drafted during Confederation in 1867 Originally called British North America (BNA) Act Amended in 1982 to contain 3 main parts: -Description of powers of provincial legislatures and Parliament, including their parts and authority -Charter of Rights and Freedoms, outlining basic rights and responsibilities of all Canadians -Amending formula, which describes ways in which Constitution may be altered Formula requires federal gov’t + 7/10 provinces (which must make up at least 50% of Canada’s population) agree on proposed change

5. THE UNWRITTEN CONSTITUTION Based on the thousand years of parliamentary tradition that Canada has inherited from Britain Along with written Constitution, provide basis for sharing of power between rulers and citizens eg. Political parties are not mentioned in Constitution Act, yet they are important to Canada’s government

6. THE FEDERAL SYSTEM Federal system (occasionally “federalism”) = organization of regional governments (provinces) which act on behalf of their own residents, with central government (in Ottawa) which is responsible for nation as a whole Federal responsibilities are those that require consistent national policy, such as defence, currency, and postal system Provincial responsibilities are those “best handled locally,” such as education and highways Some responsibilities are shared, such as agriculture, immigration, and the environment Residual powers = new areas of decision making, left to federal government by Fathers of Confederation, such as telecommunications

7. MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS Municipal = local Closest contact with individual citizens Responsibilities such as garbage collection, sewage, fire protection, water supply, and establishment of schools Provincial governments determine what form municipal governments take, as well as powers and responsibilities

8. PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM Canada’s governmental powers divided into 3 branches: 1.Executive power – power to make decisions and administer them (through civil service). eg. provincial gov’ts decide upon the number of exams a high school student must take 2.Legislative power – power to make laws. All levels have this power. eg. federal gov’t makes laws concerning funding for the armed forces 3.Judicial power – power to interpret and administer the law. This power lies with courts and judges, and is kept separate from other branches of gov’t to ensure the government is acting within the Constitution

9. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

10. THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH Composed of: governor general, House of Commons, and the Senate These parts of legislative branch make Parliament Parliament must meet at least once per year, for a session In each session, Parliament passes new laws, amends or repeals (removes) others, and debates concerning issues There is a question period, where opposition parties challenge government’s actions and raise issues they feel need to be addressed Usually a Cabinet minister or the prime minister answer questions

11. HOUSE OF COMMONS aka “Lower House” Only part of the legislative branch with elected members Elections for Commons seats must be held every 5 years Ridings (or “constituencies”) = divisions of Canada equalling roughly the same population (100 000) Voters in each riding elect Parliamentary representative (an MP, or member of Parliament); MPs make up Lower House Total seats in HoC determined by Canada’s population Debates in HoC controlled by speaker of the House (also an MP), who is elected to the position by other MPs Members sit with their party; opposition party consists of all MPs from parties besides the party in power Opposition scrutinizes and examines gov’t action

12. HOW DO MPS VOTE? Caucus = private meeting held by a party which involves all elected party members and provides them the opportunity to discuss concerns and express opinions Each member is allowed to have their say, even if it’s a disagreement All MPs are expected to vote, in the House of Commons, in favour of the party’s decision reached in caucus Should MPs always vote with party, or to desires of constituents? Free vote = allows members of legislature to vote according to what they think is best; used rarely (usually on moral issues)

13. THE SENATE aka “Upper House” Independent of House of Commons Governor general appoints senators (must be Canadian citizens; 30+ years old; living in province of representation; own at least $4000 of land) on PM’s recommendations Responsible for final check of legislation passed in House of Commons (“sober second thought”) Serves as forum for discussion of regional issues Seats allotted regionally on basis of population (eg. Nunavut has 1, BC has 6, Ontario has 24) Investigates more sensitive topics, such as euthanasia PMs may fill Senate seats with support of own party, as a form of patronage (reward) Senate is controversial as it may not be truly representative; comprised of middle- and upper-class citizens, representative of their party moreso than their region

14. THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH Composed of: governor general, prime minister, the Cabinet, and the public service GOVERNOR GENERAL Currently David Johnston Gives formal assent (agreement) to a bill before it becomes law Also performs ceremonial functions and advises the government to ensure it abides by Constitution

15. THE PRIME MINISTER Currently Stephen Harper Generally is the leader of political party with most elected representatives in House of Commons, asked by governor general to take role of PM Political party = organization of individuals supporting common goals/beliefs; elects its own leader As head of government, PM asks governor general to appoint new judges and senators; decides best time to ask GG call election; chooses/changes Cabinet members; has final say in creating policies of gov’t in power As national leader, PM addresses Canadians on issues of national concern; explains goals of ruling party; is Canada’s rep in other nations; works with premiers to coordinate responsibilities As party leader, PM is spokesperson; appoints patronage; leads other party members in Parliament

16. THE CABINET Comprised of elected party members chosen by PM Usually, PM delegates responsibility of a specific gov’t department to each member, such as defence or finance PM attempts to create diverse Cabinet (men and women, reps from all regions and ethnic groups) Cabinet ministers responsible for operation/finances of department, as well as their staff Private Cabinet meetings involve frank expression and questioning of PM Public Cabinet appearance must show cabinet solidarity, and fully support leader and gov’t decisions Party whip = ensures members are present in Parliament to support party bills and vote in legislature; can discipline those who are divergent Cabinet (and PM) hold legislative power in addition to executive power; therefore, it is crucial that they are representative of entire nation

17. THE PUBLIC SERVICE aka “civil service” or “bureaucracy” Permanent employees who perform ongoing business of government Civil servants often the only direct contact citizens have with their gov’t Public servants provide many services: gather statistics, compose details for new laws, collect taxes, monitor flow of imported goods, process passports… Senior civil servants advise ministers and draft new laws As high-level bureaucrats, they influence and control how gov’t responds to requests of citizens

18. PROVINCIAL/TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENTS

19. Also have 3 branches: executive, legislative, judicial Premier = takes role of prime minister Lieutenant-governor = monarch’s representation Have only one house, called legislature, equivalent to House of Commons (in Quebec it is called National Assembly) No equivalent of Senate Members elected to sit in provincial legislatures are MLAs (members of legislative assembly) or MPPs (mem. of provincial parliament), depending on province Bills pass 3 readings before ready to be proclaimed into law by lieutenant-governor

20. ROLES OF PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT EDUCATION Must provide for citizens’ needs without creating future debt ENVIRONMENT Must determine how resources in a province are used Find balance between present demands and future generations’ use which would not negatively affect economic growth, employment, industry development HEALTHCARE and SOCIAL WELFARE Healthcare is shared responsibility with federal gov’t Provincial gov’t decides how to use money from federal gov’t to establish/maintain hospitals, testing, long-term care, etc Healthcare is pricey and a hot issue due to ageing population

21. ROLES OF PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT TRANSPORTATION Work closely with federal gov’t to develop railways, public transport, and airports NEGOTIATION with FEDERAL GOVERNMENT Continually balancing powers Conflict over who is to provide a service, and how much revenue each gov’t gets Supreme Court of Canada may be called upon to make decisions to end disputes

22. LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

23. Town council = simplest form of municipal government Leader could have many names: mayor, reeve, chairperson, overseer, warden Elected by local citizens Other elected members of council called councillors, alderpersons, or controllers; represent their own ward (area of municipality) Experience struggles with finance and responsibility

24. ABORIGINAL SELF- GOVERNMENT Many Aboriginal communities have local governments Band councils or elders provide for needs of people Chief = leader of this type of government; responsible in a similar manner as mayor Often have more negotiations with premiers or federal ministers than a mayor; must discuss licences, access to highways that cross band lands, education