1. Canada’s Government

2. What type of government do we have in the United States?
Structure
Canada’s government is a DEMOCRACY like the United States.
What does Democracy mean?
However, Canada is also a CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY.
What does a Constitutional Monarchy mean?
Question:
What type of government do we have in the United States?
A: Federal Democracy

3. British Commonwealth of Nations
Definition:
an association of nations consisting of the United Kingdom and several former British colonies that are now sovereign (free) nations (countries) but still pay allegiance to the British Crown
53 member-nations
including: Canada, Australia, India, New Zealand, and South Africa

4. Constitutional Monarchy
What is a constitutional monarchy?
Definition: a system of government in which a monarch is guided by a constitution whereby his/her rights, duties, and responsibilities are spelled out in written law or by custom.
So… there is a king or queen (monarch) but they have little power.
The majority of the power lies with …

5. Parliament Parliament is made up of the:
House of Commons and the Senate.
When we compare this to the United States…
The House of Commons = the House of Representatives
The Senate of Canada= The Senate of the United States
Parliament makes up the branch called…

6. Legislature The legislative branch is called Parliament.
This is a picture of the Parliament building in Ottawa

7. So what person does Canada report to?
But …
The Legislature doesn’t have full control…
Canada has to still report to The United Kingdom
Why?
Question:
So what person does Canada report to?

8. Does she have power over Canada?
Head of State
Canada has a monarch, which is a king or a queen.
Queen Elizabeth II is the Head of State for Canada.
She lives in England.
Question:
Does she have power over Canada?

9. Governor General Queen Elizabeth II does not live in Canada.
Someone has to make sure everything runs smoothly
The Governor General is recommended to the British monarch by the Prime Minister
Michaëlle Jean
the current Governor General of Canada.

10. Who would be the United States’ Prime Minister?
The Prime Minister
The Prime Minister runs the executive branch within the legislature.
They are not directly elected by the people.
Serves as the head of government
the top administrative leader who is designated to manage the day-to-day activities of the government
Chosen from the political party that has the majority in the House of Commons.
The Prime Minister of Canada is Stephen Harper
Question:
Who would be the United States’ Prime Minister?

11. Judiciary Canada has both federal and provincial courts.
*remember! A province is just like a state.
The highest court is the federal Supreme Court.
Canada’s Supreme Court
one Chief Justice
eight other judges.

12. Comparing the Canadian and U.S. Governments
Aspects of Government
Canada
The United States
Type
Constitutional Monarchy (limited power)
Parliamentary Democracy
Constitutional Republic (limited power)
Presidential Democracy
Head of State
Monarch
President
Head of Government
Prime Minister
Legislature
Parliament
Congress
System
Federal (central and provinces)
Federal (central and states)
Role of the People
Democratic

13. Federation
A power distribution system in which most of the power is held by the central government over the states or provinces

14. Citizen Participation
Voters: 18 years and older
Citizens vote members:
of the House of Commons into office
Citizens do NOT vote for:
members of the Senate
Prime Minister
Governor General