1. The Executive Branch

2. What is the Executive Branch?
Branch of government that has the power to carry out the plans and policies of government.
The executive branch can be seen at the Federal and Provincial level.

3. Federal Level
Provincial Level
Queen (Governor-General)
Queen (Lieutenant-Governor)
Prime Minister
Head and leader of federal government
Leader of national party in power
Premier
Head and leader of provincial government
Leader of provincial party in power
Cabinet
Selected by head of government to be responsible for departments
Public Service
(Also called civil service or bureaucracy)
People who conduct the daily business of government

4. The Prime Minister
The leader of the nation, head of the federal government, and the leader of the party with the greatest number of seats in Parliament.
Speaks on behalf of all Canadians at national and international meetings
Also works with provincial premiers to make changes that will benefit all Canadians
Recommends new judges and senators to be named by the governor general
The Prime Minister leads the caucus, the group of government members from his or her party (see text book for def’n)

5. Who is Our Current Prime Minister?
Justin Trudeau

6. The Cabinet
The group of ministers that decides what the government policy should be. Cabinet members usually have responsibility for particular departments of government, such as Foreign Affairs, Defence and Justice.
Minister- Member of the cabinet
Speak on behalf of the department in public, and they are responsible for the department’s budget

7. The Cabinet Cont’d
Members of the cabinet work together, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, to discuss important important decisions of the government
Cabinet Solidarity- the custom that cabinet members must appear united and in agreement with each other

8. The Public Service The people hired to work for the government
Also known as the civil service or bureaucracy
They are employed by the government, and are not elected or chosen for their political beliefs

9. The Public Service Cont’d
Because public servants carry out the daily business of out nation, they have an important role. Many have the ability to influence how the government responds to the needs and requests of citizens
Public servants are often the only direct contact that most citizens have with government

10. The Executive Branch at the Provincial Level
The premier takes a leadership role similar to the prime minister
The premier chooses cabinet members to direct specific provincial affairs. These cabinet ministers are responsible for areas that fall under provincial jurisdiction
Civil servants at the provincial level include police officers, education workers, and health care personnel

11. HOMEWORK Factors Shaping How Canada is Governed
After looking over page 39 in textbook, summarize how each factor shapes how Canada is governed:
A diverse culture
Geography
Values and beliefs
Economics
Technology and Industry
Global Forces
(Due tomorrow)