1. Getting To Know Your Federal Government
The Executive Branch

2. Organization of Federal Government
Canada’s government is divided into three branches called the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches.
Each branch of government has different responsibilities

4. Executive Branch: Governor General
The governor general is the ‘head of the state’ and represents the Queen.
The Queen appoints a governor general on the advice of the Prime Minister.
This process takes place every five years. A new one will be selected this year.
Watch the video
Read the article Who should be Canada's next governor general?
Decide which camp you fit into and explain why.

5. Executive Branch: Prime Minister
The Prime Minister is perhaps one of the more visible people in the federal government.
Surprisingly, the Prime Minister is not the head of state. It is the Governor General that is the head of state, not the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister is the head of the government and has true political power.

6. Executive Branch: Prime Minister
Unlike the United States elections, the Prime Minister is not elected directly by the people.
The Prime Minister becomes the leader of the nation because he/she is the leader of the party that wins the most seats in an election.
There have been 23 different Prime Ministers elected since the time of Confederation in 1867.

7. Responsibilities of the Prime Minister
Represents all Canadian citizens by Speaking on behalf of all Canadians at national and international meetings and trips abroad
Addresses national issues that citizens are concerned with
Works with provincial leaders such as premiers
Chooses member of the cabinet and leads the government in Cabinet and the House of Commons
Recommends new judges, ambassadors to foreign countries, officials to head of government and senators to be named by the governor general

8. Executive Branch: The Cabinet
Cabinet ministers are chosen by the Prime Minister.
Cabinet ministers are most often MPs from the party in power.
It is very rare that a Prime Minister would appoint a cabinet minister outside of his/her party.
Each cabinet minister is assigned to a specific department
Ideally the Prime Minister should look for cabinet minister that reside all over the country and represent the ethnic and cultural diversity of Canada.
Unfortunately, many Members of Parliament do not reflect such diversity.

9. Executive Branch: The Cabinet
There are approximately 18 government departments (or portfolios) to cover all aspects of government operations in Canada. The departments are also referred to as ministries.
• Agriculture and Agri-Food
• Canadian Heritage
• Citizenship and Immigration
• Environment
• Finance
• Fisheries and Oceans
• Foreign Affairs
• Health
• Human Resources and Skills Development
• Indian and Northern Affairs
• Industry
• Intergovernmental Affairs
• International Trade
• Justice
• National Defense
• Natural Resources
• Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
• Public Works and Government Services
• Social Development
• Transport
• Veterans Affairs
• Western Economic Diversification

10. Responsibilities of the Cabinet
Examine issues, draw up proposals for new laws, introduce the proposals to become law
Speak on behalf of their department and are responsible for their department budget
Work with the Prime Minister and other cabinet ministers to discuss important decisions that the government must make.
Sometimes cabinet ministers can question the Prime Minister and the decision of the government in private meetings. However, in public the cabinet members must show their respect and support for the Prime Minister and government. All cabinet ministers are expected to unite in agreement with each other under the leadership of the Prime Minister.
Why would it be important for there to be agreement within the Cabinet?

11. Executive Branch: Civil Service
The civil service is also known as the public service. These members are hired through the federal government.
These members of the executive branch of government are employees of the government and work to provide government services.
Unlike other employees of the government civil servants continue to work for the government regardless of their political beliefs. Civil servants salary is paid for by citizens’ tax dollars.
Some responsibilities include the delivery of mail, collecting taxes, issuing passports, gathering statistics, and reviewing applications of immigrants.