1. Canadian Federal Politics

2. Canadian Federal Government
The primary function of government is to ensure the well being of its nation and citizens
Maintain order through laws and policing services
Also provides services; health care; education; welfare; employment insurance; pension plans; etc.
Maintains rights and freedoms

3. Federal Government Governor General: representative of the monarch
Chosen by the Prime Minister and appointed by the Queen
Acts almost entirely on the advice of Cabinet members
Head of State: supreme representative (symbolic position)
No political powers
David Lloyd Johnston

4. Federal Government Head of Government: Prime Minister
Head of the political party that has the responsibility of governing the country
Stephen Harper (Conservative Party of Canada)

5. Federal Government
Parliament: name given to group of representatives who govern the country
Member of Parliament (MP) is elected for each riding (approx. 100,000 people)
Alex Atamanenko
(MP for BC South Interior, New Democratic Party)

6. Federal Government
House of Commons (HOC): the group of all Members of Parliament (including the Prime Minister and the Cabinet)
308 MP’s in Canada
Develop Laws
Decide how $ is spent
If HOC rejects bill etc, PM & Cabinet must resign.

7. How they sit…

8. Federal Government Senate: 105 appointed members (Upper Chamber)
Primary function is to investigate bills passed by the House of Commons
For a bill to become a law the Senate must pass it (rare for it not to happen)

9. Canadian Senate Representation
Affiliation
Senators
Conservative Party 60
    
Liberal Party 33
Independent Progressive Conservative 1
Independent 6
Vacant 5
Total
105

10. Federal Government
Executive Branch: make and apply government decisions
Governor General and the Prime Minister
Legislative Branch: make and amend laws
Determine how the government will spend money it collects from the people
House of Commons, the Senate and the Governor General

11. Federal Government Cabinet: 30 members Selected by the Prime Minister
Majority from the party who won the election
Each province must be represented by at least one minister
Initiate new laws and administer government policy
Each minister is responsible for a department of government (Finance; Defense; Transportation; etc.)

12. Canada’s Democracy Representative Democracy: Direct Democracy:
elected officials act on behalf of the people
Direct Democracy:
Everyone votes for every decision
Constitutional Monarchy:
own constitution with British Monarch (Head of State)
Governor General:
Monarch representative (figurehead)

13. Federal State: Sign of Unification
Legislative Union: No Provincial or State governments only national and municipal
Federal System: Federal/Provincial/ and Municipal
Each with individual responsibilities
Federal:
Foreign policy, immigration, taxation, criminal laws, national defense, etc.
Provincial
Education, health care, provincial police, roads and bridges, etc.
Shared
Agriculture/farming, pensions, environmental protection
Municipal
Libraries, local police, fire departments, parks, etc.

14. The Canadian Parliamentary System
Page 11 Workbook: KNOW IT!

15. Structure of the Canadian Federal Government: Executive Branch
The Prime Minister:
Head of Canadian Government
Voice of nation
Recommend Judges and Senators
Spokesperson for party
Select Cabinet MPs
Advise Governor General
The Cabinet:
Approx.. 30 members
Each province is represented
Initiate and guide most legislation (laws)
Hold Portfolios

16. Executive Structure Cont.
Backbenchers
Members of the governing party who are not in the cabinet
Party Whip
Disciplines members who speak out against the party
Shadow Cabinet
MPs from the official opposition who shadow specific cabinet members
Public Service
Link between the citizens and the government
Perform the day to day work of the government

17. The Legislative Branch
The House of Commons
Members of Parliament
Debate legislation (bills)
Speaker of the House
Sergeant at Arms
Mace
Parliament sessions
Official Opposition
Question Period
The Senate
Review bills
Clarification only (usually)
Senate Controversy
Lack of Specific Qualifications:
Some are lawyers & ex-cabinet ministers, but some are not…
Patronage:
Appointed not elected, revolves around loyalty…
Representation by Population
46% of Senate from Ontario & Quebec

18. How a Bill becomes a Law First Reading Second Reading Committee Stage
Read and printed
Second Reading
Debate the principle
Committee Stage
Study study study
Report Stage
Make ammendments
Third Reading
Debate and Vote
Senate
Similar process
Royal Assent

19. Proposed Senate Reform
Triple-E Senate
Elected
Not appointed
Equal
No voting on party lines
Effective
Really not an effective or efficient structure