1. Canadian Government – Levels and Branches

2. Canadian Federal Government
The formal head of state in Canada is:
The British Monarch
Queen Elizabeth II
Age: 90
Became queen on Feb 6th, 1952 (65 years!!!!)
How many Canadian Prime Ministers has she seen? 12

3. The Queen
Formal head of state, but has no active role in Canadian government
She’s not in Canada very often so she is represented by…

4. Governor General Designate: Julie Payette Outgoing GG: David Johnston
The Governor General
Governor General Designate: Julie Payette
To be sworn in on Oct 2, 2017
Outgoing GG: David Johnston
Served from
The GG is appointed by the Queen from a recommendation by the Prime Minister.

5. But what does the Governor General do???
The Queen’s representative in Canada.
A member of both the Executive and Legislative Branches of Government
Commander in Chief of Canada’s armed forces.
Swears in the Prime Minister and their Cabinet
Appoints Senators & Supreme Court Justices on recommendation by the PM
Required to give royal assent to all government bills.
Calls elections

6. The Executive Branch Runs day to day business of government
“Decision Maker”
Runs day to day business of government
Proposes ideas for new laws
Enforces Laws: Makes sure laws are carried out
Who is in it?

7. The Executive Branch How it works:
The Prime Minister: head of federal government decision making in Canada
The Prime Minister appoints Cabinet Ministers from elected members of his/her party to help him make decisions

8. The Prime Minister – Justin Trudeau
The Prime Minister leads the House of Commons (seen as the “First Among Equals”)
He or she is also the leader of the majority party in the House of Commons
The office of the Prime Minister has no fixed term. (general elections are held every four-five years) The Prime Minister holds office only with the backing of the majority of the House of Commons.
If a Prime Minister loses support through a vote of non confidence by the House of Commons, he/she must resign to request the Governor General to call a new general election.

9. Some Well Known Prime Ministers of Canada
Pierre Elloitt Trudeau
Sir John A Macdonald
Sir Wilfred Laurier

10. The Cabinet Part of the Executive
The Prime Minister’s Cabinet is made up of approx. 30 ministers.
These ministers are chosen by the Prime Minister from the majority party in the House of Commons. (see page 25 or next slide)
The Cabinet and the Prime Minister decide the policies the Government will follow. (“Decision Makers”)
Each province must be represented by at least one minister.
Each minister is given a “portfolio” - which means that he or she is responsible for a specific government department.

12. The Cabinet Justin Trudeau’s Cabinet – Nov 2015
Cabinet Shuffle – Jan 2017
Cabinet Changes – August 2017

13. The Executive Branch
Executive:
Decision Makers, Leaders of Government

14. The Legislative Branch
The “Law Makers”
Made up of the two houses of Parliament
Part of the government that creates laws
“Lower House” or House of Commons
“Upper House” or Senate

15. The Legislative Branch
The House of Commons:
Made up of representatives elected from the local level, called Members of Parliament (MPs)
There are 338 seats in the House of Commons
All legislation must be approved (win a majority vote) by the House in order to become law.
Who is the MP for Lethbridge?
If there are 338 votes, how many do you need for a majority?

16. The Legislative Branch
The Senate:
Appointed members of government – 105 seats
All legislation must be approved by the Senate before it can become law.
Generally customary for the Senate to automatically approve a bill if it has been passed by the House of Commons
“Sober Second Thought”

17. The Legislative Branch:
The Executive Branch
The Legislative Branch:
Also referred to as “Parliament”
The House of Commons
The
Senate
The Governor General

18. The Judicial Branch Interprets laws: Decides what the law means
aka Justice
Interprets laws: Decides what the law means
Tries people accused of breaking laws

19. Supreme Court of Canada Federal Court of Canada
The Judicial Branch
Supreme Court of Canada
Made up of 9 judges (why 9?)
Nominated by PM
Federal Court of Canada
Provincial Courts

20. A Few Comedians View of Our System
Rick Mercer:
The Mercer Report
John Stewart:
The Daily Show

21. Each Level of Government in Canada has:
An Executive Branch – role?
A Legislative Branch – role?
And a Judicial Branch – role?

22. What are the levels of government?

24. Federal Government Executive… Legislative… Judicial… The Queen
The Governor General (Julie Payette) is the Queen’s representative in Canada. (appointed)
The Prime Minister (Justin Trudeau) is the main spokesperson of Canada. In the House of Commons, the PM is seen as “The First Among Equals”
He appoints a Cabinet to help him lead
Legislative…
The House of Commons – contains 338 MPs (Members of Parliament), who have been elected from all across Canada. (The Executive is a part of the Legislative as well)
The Senate – contains 105 Senators who have been appointed by the PM and GG. (ex Romeo Dallaire)
Judicial…
The Supreme Court of Canada is Canada’s highest court.

25. Provincial Government
Executive…
The Lieutenant-Governor (Don Ethell) is the Queen’s representative in the province. (appointed)
Premier (Rachel Notley) – is the main spokesperson for the province - elected
She appoints a Cabinet to help her lead
Legislative…
MLAs (Members of the Legislative Assembly) are elected and sit in The Alberta Legislature in Edmonton
Judicial…
The Provincial Court of Alberta

26. Federal
Provincial
Edmonton
Ottawa

27. Local or Municipal Government
Lethbridge Municipal Election: October 16, 2017
Executive…
Mayor (Chris Spearman)
elected position
Main spokesperson for the city
Legislative…
City Council (aldermen) - elected
Judicial…
City of Lethbridge Courthouse