1. Social Studies
Canadian Government

2. Political System
Political power in Canada is divided between two levels of government:
1. Federal (national, Canada-wide)
2. Provincial (individual provinces and territories)
There are also municipal and Aboriginal governments with various responsibilities

3. Constitutional Monarchy
Canada’s Head of State is Queen Elizabeth II
Her powers are mostly ceremonial and limited by the Constitution
She is represented in Canada by the Governor General
Canada’s current Gov. Gen is David Johnston (since 2010)
She is represented in each province by a Lieutenant Governor
BC’s = The Honourable Judith Guichon
Stephen Harper = NOT the
current PM

4. Constitutional Monarchy
The Constitution is a legal document outlining who has the power to make various decisions about the nation.
It outlines the structure of the gov. and defines/limits the gov’s power
Originally drafted in 1867, called the BNA Act

5. Branches of Government
Federal and Provincial governments have three branches:
1. Legislative: to make, change, or repeal laws
2. Executive: to carry out and enforce laws
3. Judiciary: to interpret and apply laws

6. Legislative Branch
There is an overlap of power between the legislative and executive branches of government.
The Prime Minister and most members of the Cabinet are elected members of the House of Commons

7. Legislative Branch
The two main parts of the federal level legislative branch are:
1. The Senate – The “Upper House”
Members appointed by PM to give sober second thoughts to the passage of bills
2. The House of Commons – The “Lower House”
Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected from ridings or constituencies located in each province
The number of MPs in the House of Commons roughly corresponds to the population share in each province

8. Legislative Branch At the provincial level, the legislative branch is:
1. The Legislative Assembly
Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs)
Like federal MPs, MLAs represent people of areas called ridings, constituencies, or electoral districts

9. House of Commons
Called both the House of Commons and the Lower House, it is the only part of the legislative branch that has elected members
The total number of seats in the HofC is determined by the population of Canada
Members sit with their political party
The Cabinet is made up of elected party members chosen by the PM
Usually they are each designated as a minister responsible for a particular department (defense, finance etc)

10. House of Commons
The Speaker of the House is the moderator of debates in the HofC
They discipline MPs for breaking the rules
They announce the results of votes
They are elected by all members of the House of Commons
Seating in the HofC
Elected members of gov’t sit on the right of the Speaker on benches
Junior MPs are usually “backbenchers”
The PM and his chosen Cabinet sit in the front
The Leader of the Opposition and his Shadow Cabinet sit opposite to the PM

11. The Senate Appointed members “Upper House” 105 seats currently
PMs often fill vacant Senate seats with supporters of their own party – a form of patronage

12. Executive Branch
This branch of government is responsible for administering and monitoring laws.
Responsibility is in the hands of the PM and Cabinet

13. Judicial Branch
This branch of government is composed of the system of courts and judges. Its job is to uphold the law.
The Supreme Court of Canada is the highest court in Canada, and makes decisions about appeals from the “lower” courts
Provinces have Provincial Courts, as well as Appeal Courts
Jurisdiction over: family court, criminal court, youth court, small claims

14. Taxes and Spending
Both Federal and Provincial governments collect money through taxes:
Corporate tax
Income tax
Excise tax (such as on alcohol and gas)
When a government takes in more money than it spends, it is a surplus, when it takes in less, it runs a deficit.