1. The Structure of Canada’s Federal Political System
Legislative
Executive
Judicial
Who, how do you get the job, job description, relationship between branches

2. How Canadians govern themselves.
A reading from 8th edition of “How Canadians Govern themselves”, pg 1.

4. Newfoundland and Lab. St. John’s NB Fredericton NV Halifax P.E.I
_____ Provinces
_____ Territories National Capital__________
Newfoundland and Lab.
St. John’s NB
Fredericton NV
Halifax
P.E.I
Charlottetown
Yukon
Whitehorse
NWT
Yellowknife
Nunavut
Iqaluit
Alberta
Edmonton
B.C
Victoria
Saskatchewan
Regina
Manitoba
Winnipeg
Ontario
Toronto
Quebec
Quebec City

5. Canada is a CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY
This means we recognize the Queen or King as the Head of State, while the Prime Minister is the Head of Government.
Division of powers-pg 16 “Our Country, Our Parliament”
Q. Federal government responsibilities?: A.
Q. Provincial government responsibilities:
Q.What areas are run by Federal/Provincial?
A.Agriculture & Immigration
Elections must be held once every ____ years.
Fun facts!
Why Ottawa as our capital?? Pg 36 in Our Country, Our Parliament.
Did you know parliament burned down?! Pg 37

8. Making your very own CANADIAN federal system RAP! Work in progress……
Listen to flocab’s awesome American version and begin the brainstorm to create your own only with Canadian components!
You will be given time to create this rap project over the course of the next 3 weeks! Stay tuned!
Mark current government worksheet!

12. Who is in the Legislative branch? THE LAW MAKIN’ BRANCH
It includes the:
-Queen/Governor General: Mr. David Johnston (Later on we will find out that the Governor General belongs to 2 branches!)
-Senate (Senators)-105 senators
-House of Commons (MP’s)-308 MP’s
The Legislative branch in GENERAL- Makes laws and represents the interests and rights of Canada’s regions.
Leg branch:
Read the cartoon pg. 26!

13. What is a Member of Parliament?
MP’s are elected in a general federal election.
Our current MP is Chris Warkentin-he is a Progressive Conservative.
Roles and Responsibilities:
Representing constituents in Parliament
the ‘people’s’ representatives in the House of Commons
Making Laws
influence legislation through debates
Watchdogs on Government
influence federal government policy
raise policy issues and concerns

14. What is a Member of Parliament?
Roles and Responsibilities:
Party Supporters
usually belong to a political party and plays a role in it’s operation
Offices
maintain two offices with staff for which they are responsible (Parliament Hill and in their constituency)

15. Federal and Provincial ridings-Peace River Riding
Every Federal riding must have a relatively fixed number of people in it….Any guesses?
70 000
HUMANS!

16. The House of Commons: The “green chamber”
Each riding across the country has a “seat”- literally a place where the MP will sit.

17. Legislative Branch parts
The House of Commons:
Major law making body
The MP’s in the house of commons debate, study and vote on laws proposed in Canada.
Propose laws are called bills!
DID YA KNOW? Most bills are introduced by the Executive Branch!
Each MP represents the voters of one riding or constituency.
Most MP’s belong to political parties.
The political party with the most MP’s elected across Canada usually forms the government.
The other parties form what is called the opposition.
All proceedings of the leg branch are in Canada’s two official languages.
Watch H of C video and fill in more info on your chart!!! (ilearn)

18. Legislative Branch GOVERNOR GENERAL/QUEEN
Mr. David Johnston
The Governor General officially appoints the Prime Minister as the HEAD OF GOVERNMENT.
Makes the Speech from the Throne (a speech that describes the new goals of the government).
Gives Royal Assent to bills (final stage in how to make a law)
Hosts foreign dignitaries
Visits other countries at the request of the Prime Minister
Celebrates excellence by giving awards to AWESOME Canadians.
Cool fact-The Governor General is part of the EXECUTIVE BRANCH

19. The Senate
Legislative Branch

20. What is a Senator/Senate?
Roles and Responsibilities
Examine and revise the legislation produced from the House of Commons.
provide a “sober, second thought”
review federal legislation clause by clause
Reviews and debates bills proposed by the H of C.
have the power to introduce bills, this rarely happens.
The Senate CANNOT propose any bills about spending money or taxation.
Investigate national Canadian issues
contribute to in-depth studies on public issues
Represent regional, provincial and minority interests!
meet and consider regional impact of legislation
represent the rights of groups/individuals who may be overlooked

21. What is a Senator/Senate?
Roles and Responsibilities:
Watchdog on government
provide a detailed review of all legislation
routinely question and challenge the Leader of the Government
The Senate can reject bills however they rarely use this power….
Party Supporters
supports a political party and plays a role in it’s operation
Who are our current senators!?
Watch senate vid on ilearn!

22. What is a Senator? Selection Process and Qualifications:
Senators are not elected.
How do they get their job: They are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister.
Senators must be at least 30 years old and retire by the age of 75.
Senators also must live and own property in the Canadian province or territory that they represent.
Backgrounds of Senators include former provincial premiers, cabinet ministers and business people from many economic sectors.

23. Political Cartoon- The “sleepy Canadian Senate”
Free for all
Political Cartoon- The “sleepy Canadian Senate”
Nap time

24. Appointed vs. Elected?

25. A list of student jobs will be posted
You will need to decide how you feel the student job should be filled. Either by:
ELECTED: Voted in by the student body using a secret ballot OR
APPOINTED: chosen by a group of teachers

26. Once you have chosen, you are to go to the part of the room that corresponds to your opinion
Remember to choose wisely because you may be called upon to defend your answer!

27. A representative from the class for student council
Student Job 1
A representative from the class for student council
Appointed OR Elected?
MOVE, MOVE, MOVE

28. Student Job 2
A student to join school staff who are visiting a local family that has suffered a tragedy
Appointed OR Elected?
MOVE, MOVE, MOVE

29. Student Job 3
A participant in a school board panel on the challenges of school life.
Appointed OR Elected?
MOVE, MOVE, MOVE

30. Student Job 4
A student judge to sit on a school committee that resolves disputes between students
Appointed OR Elected?
MOVE, MOVE, MOVE

31. A school representative for a national academic challenge
Student Job 5
A school representative for a national academic challenge
Appointed OR Elected?
MOVE, MOVE, MOVE

32. “What to do about the Senate” reading worksheet!
Go to handout!
Next class will be an entrance slip on the SENATE

33. The Prime Minister (elected by political party/supporters)
The EXECUTIVE Branch
The Prime Minister (elected by political party/supporters)
The Cabinet (Cabinet Ministers-elected as MP’s, appointed by PM for special duties)
Queen

34. Executive Branch- What the heck do they do!?
In general they:
Manage!
Propose most laws (bills) into the House of Commons!!
Put laws into action (Laws are put into action through the specific department/portfolio)
Run the day to day business of government (these are the portfolios each cabinet minister gets)
What aspects of our lives are impacted by our Federal gov…..a recap!
The decision making area!

35. Executive Branch-Prime Minister
He is the leader of the political party with the most seats in the House of Commons.
He is also an MP and has a constituency he represents in the country.
Stephan Harper’s constituency is in Calgary!
Prime Minister appoints his cabinet members.
Runs the show like a boss…..
PM for a day cartoon! Pg. 23
Past and present head dudes and dudette!

36. Executive Branch- Cabinet Ministers
Each cabinet minister has an area of responsibility-a portfolio.
Ex’s The Minister of Environment.
In this role they will work to propose bills specific to their portfolio.
Be up to date on the needs of this area in Canada.
They have a team of support staff to help them run these areas of our government.
Current ministers

37. The Judicial Branch-applies and interprets the laws made.
Includes Canada’s courts of laws.
All members are from the legal profession (Imagine that!)
It is separate from all other branches.
Acts as a check on the other branches powers.
The branch’s main responsibility is to make sure that the rights of Canadians are respected!
Highest court of law is the Supreme Court of Canada!
Essentially and in conclusion the Judicial Branch makes sure that laws passed by the government are not against the Canadian Constitution and Charter of Rights and Freedoms!

38. The Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of Canada is the highest court in Canada. It is considered the court of last resort as the Supreme Court hears appeals of civil, criminal, and constitutional cases that have been tried in lower courts. For example, a civil case may deal with matters of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Other times, the Supreme Court of Canada may be asked by the government to respond to constitutional concerns. 
The judges who sit on the Supreme Court are highly respected and experienced. When a Supreme Court judge retires, a list of nominations for this special role is developed. A committee of Members of Parliament from all political parties creates a final short list of three judges to nominate. The Prime Minister then makes the final selection.
There are nine judges in total: Three judges come from Ontario, three judges are from Québec, two come from the Western provinces, and one is from Atlantic Canada. Did you notice that there are an odd number of judges sitting in the Supreme Court? This ensures that there will never be a tie in judgment.

39. Portfolio project
Look at the portfolios on the link. Pick one that interests you and find some of the needs of this area currently in Canada.
Based on the needs that you found, propose a Bill to make a positive change for Canada.