1. review

2. LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

3. REVIEW FROM YESTERDAY Legislative branch: makes laws
Executive branch: implements laws
Judicial: enforces the laws

4. Legislative branch
There are 3 major components of the legislative branch
1. Governor General
2. House of Commons
3. senate
***House of commons has the most important role

5. Who is who: Legislative branch
Head of state: has ultimate authority in the legislative process
The head of state in Canada is Queen Elizabeth II
The Governor general is the representative of the queen in Canada
The current Governor General is: …

6. Government composition (what makes up the government)
In Canada we form our government by the political party that wins the most seats in the federal election
The leader of this party that forms the government then becomes the prime minister
Ex. Justin trudea  liberal party won the most seats  He is the leader of the liberal party  he became prime minister

7. House of Commons: structure
House of commons: consists of elected members (representatives) who are called mp’s or members of parliament
Mp’s that are not in the party that make up the government are called opposition
The party with the second most seats in the house are called the official opposition that party’s leader is the leader of the opposition
Party solidarity refers to each party voting as a unit
They have caucus meetings to decide how they will vote before parliament sits

8. The Speaker of the house
MEMBER OF THE HOUSE
SELECTED BY THE HOUSE TO BE THE HOUSE SPOKESMAN AND PRESIDE OVER PROCEEDINGS
Oversees administration of the house
Geoff Regan

9. Page
First year student from national universities employed by the Hoc to carry messages and deliver house documents

10. Cabinet minister
Member of cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister
Chosen from existing members and senators (usually)
Responsible for their own departments
Given title: “the honourable”

11. Opposition party
A political party that does not hold the most seats in parliament
Is not part of a coalition government

12. Prime Minister Head of the government
Leader of the party having the greatest number of seats in the Hoc
Appointed by the governor general
Selects members of cabinet and along with them is responsible for house administration and public affairs

13. Leader of the official opposition
The leader of the party with the second largest number of seats in the house of commons
The party with the 3rd largest amount of seats in the hoc = second largest party in opposition

14. Clerk and table officers
Clerk of the house: chief procedural advisor to the speaker and members of the house.
Table officers: the clerks provide procedural advice during sittings of parliament. Takes the votes and keeps minutes.

15. Mace
Large, heavy and richly ornamented staff that are the authority in the house of commons
When the speaker takes the chair the mace is placed on the table to let everyone know the house is in session

16. hansard
Debates: the printed record of the proceedings of the house. Debates are often referred to as hansard

17. More legislative branch
Sergeant-at-arms: the senior officer of the house responsible for security and maintenance of the parliament buildings
Bar (of the house): a brass barrier inside the south entrance to the chamber. This marks off the area where non-members may be admitted
Interpreters: seated in glass booths at the south end of the chamber – English and French translations for members of the public
Press gallery: accredited members of the media granted access to the gallery
Galleries: areas in the house set aside for the public, press, and distinguished visitors
Tv camera: remote controlled to capture parliament in action

18. cabinet Chosen from members of parliament of the prime ministers party
Responsible for various ministries
Prime ministers closest advisors
Transportation, justice, finance…
Decisions by the cabinet must be supported by all cabinet members, If they do not support they must resign
30 members (approx.)
Can include senate as well as members of parliament

19. Shadow cabinet Formed by members of the official opposition
Each cabinet minister has a shadow minister
This helps provide a watchful eye on cabinet operations

21. The senate
105 members
Appointed by governor general by way of selection by the prime minister
Must retire by 75
Has power to veto in bill-law process
Sober second thought to law makers in parliament – provides a second look at the law making process before its final reading – allows for improvements to legislation

22. How does a bill become a law? The law making process
House of commons
- first reading  second reading  committee  third reading
Senate
Governor general
- provides royal assent

23. More: the law making process
The first reading is where the bill is introduced to cabinet or a private member (member of the legislature who is no acting on behalf of the executive government – private members bill)
Second reading – bill introduced again and debated in general
Committee stage – bill is sent to a parliamentary committee, studied in detail. Changes are often made here. Each section may be voted on separately.
Third reading – bill briefly debated, third vote taken
Then … the bill then goes to the senate and the process is repeated

24. Finally… A piece of proposed legislation (law) is called a bill
A bill goes through the necessary steps to become a law
Ideas for bills usually come from cabinet
Legislation (laws) involving the spending of govt must be introduced in the house of commons
If a budgetary bill fails to be passed in the house of commons this is known as a “vote of non-confidence” and the government party is obligated to call an election.

25. The end 