1. Canadian Government

2. Canada’s Government Canada’s government has three levels:
Federal
Provincial
Municipal
The Federal government is in charge of the country
The Provincial governments run the individual provinces
Municipal governments are in control of individual towns and cities

3. Responsibilities Federal Provincial Postal Service Currency Banking
Military
Coasts
International Relations
RCMP
Census Data
Weights and measurements
Health Care
Education
Licencing
Local matters
Determining municipal responsibilities
Marriage

6. Federal Government Canada’s government is divided into three branches:
The Legislative Branch
The Executive Branch
The Judicial Branch

8. Executive Branch Head of State:
The Sovereign (Queen) is the head of state for Canada
Her representative in Canada is the Governor General
The Governor General signs off on Bills to make them law, allows parties to form government, and dissolves parliament for elections

9. Head of Government The Prime Minister is the head of government
The PM is the leader of the party who forms government – they are NOT elected directly
The PM chooses a group of members of parliament (MP’s) who form the cabinet.
Cabinet ministers have a variety of responsibilities, such as, finance, environment, Indigenous affairs and defence
The PM and their cabinet ministers propose bills in the House of Commons in hopes of getting them passed as laws

10. Legislative Branch
The legislative branch is divided into the House of Commons and the Senate
The House of Commons is the elected body of the Canadian government
There are 308 seats in the House of Commons that are distributed among the provinces by population
Members of parliament (MP) propose, debate, and vote on bills
The party that has the most votes in the House of Commons is allowed to form government

13. Senate Non-elected body of government
Offer a “Second Sober Thought” to bills that pass third reading
Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister
Senators hold their position until they are 75 years old or resign
There are 105 seats in the Senate that reflect regional needs (24 for Ontario, 24 for Quebec, 24 for the Maritimes, 24 for the Western Provinces, the rest going to Newfoundland and the Territories)

15. Judicial Branch In charge of interpreting laws
Determine whether or not laws have been broken
Makes sure that the laws are consistent with what the Constitution and Charter of Rights and Freedoms says

16. Responsible Government
Short Definition: Government is responsible to the people
Detailed Definition: The executive branch is held responsible for its actions by maintaining the “confidence” of an elected assembly.
Confidence of the House: The Prime Minister must have the support of a majority of the members of parliament. If the Prime Minister does not have the confidence of the house, they must resign or call an election

17. Majority Government: The party that forms government has half or more of the seats in the House of Commons
Minority Government: The party that forms government does not have half or more of the seats in the House of Commons and must find support in other political parties in order to have the confidence of the House (also called a coalition)