1. Slide Deck 7B: Levels of Government

2. How is government organized in Canada?

3. What is a representative democracy?
Representatives (or politicians) are chosen by people to act and speak on their behalf in government (and pass laws)
These representatives are chosen through elections
Each representative is responsible for a different geographic area or community

4. Levels of Government
Canada has several levels of government and each has its own group elected representatives.
Federal
Provincial and territorial
Municipal

5. Federal
The elected representative is called a Member of Parliament (MP)
There are currently 338 elected MPs
MPs debate and pass laws in the House of Commons in Ottawa
The leader is called the prime minister
The Queen is represented by the governor general

6. Prince Edward Island Provincial
The elected representative is called a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA)
There will be 27 MLAs voted into provincial government in the spring election
MLAs debate and pass laws in the Legislative Assembly in Charlottetown
The leader is called the premier
The Queen is represented by the lieutenant governor

7. Do you know how the prime minister of Canada is chosen
Do you know how the prime minister of Canada is chosen? Do you know how the premier of Prince Edward Island is chosen?

8. How are the leaders decided?
At the provincial and federal level, most elected representatives are part of a political party (a group with shared interests and goals).
The political party with the most number of elected representatives usually forms government and their leader becomes the leader of the government.

9. Current leaders Justin Trudeau Wade MacLauchlan Prime Minister Premier
Liberal Party of Canada
183 representatives (out of 338)
Wade MacLauchlan
Premier
Liberal
16 representatives (out of 27)

10. Municipal Governments
The elected representative at the municipal level is called a councillor (not part of political party)
The size and structure of the council depends on the size of the community
The head of the council (leader) is called a mayor and they elected by all citizens living in the municipality
Municipal councils debate and pass laws at the city or town hall

11. Who is responsible for what in government?

12. Government Responsibilities
Federal = National/International issues
(Trade, immigration and citizenship, national defence, fisheries and oceans)
Provincial = Provincial issues
(Education, health care delivery, universities and colleges, transportation and highways)
Municipal = Local issues
(Roads and bridges, water and sewer service, recreation and community facilities, libraries, police and fire protection)

13. For some issues, the different levels of government have to work
together and share the responsibility.
This is called concurrency.
For example: environment, natural resources

14. Can I contact my elected representatives?
YES!
Elected representatives expect to hear from their constituents when they have issues to discuss, or if they need help accessing government services.
In most cases your representative can be contacted by mail, , phone, or by appointment at their local constituency office.

15. Summary of Representatives
Federal = Member of Parliament
Provincial = Member of the Legislative Assembly
Municipal = Local Councillor

16. FINAL THOUGHTS
What have you learned about government in Canada? Is government important? Why or why not? What issue in your community concerns you the most? Who can you contact?