1. Levels of Government
"We cannot work or eat or drink; we cannot buy or sell or own anything; we cannot go to a ball game or a hockey game or watch TV without feeling the effects of government. We cannot marry or educate our children, cannot be sick, born or buried without the hand of government somewhere intervening." - Canadian Senator Eugene Forsey

2. Canada is the second largest country in geographic area in the world today spanning 6 time zones
population of approximately 31 million people
very difficult for a single government to take care of all the responsibilities that exist throughout the nation
In 1867, because Canada was physically such a large country with so many different needs, we adopted a federal system of government that had three levels
BNA (British North America Act of 1867) outlined the system and separation of powers
Federal, Provincial and Municipal

3. This style of government involves dividing the powers into national and various regional levels
This allows the country to address the needs of various areas that may have specific expectations from their government
There are certain aspects of Canadian society that simply could not be addressed by one level of government
For instance, Nunavut (the newest territory) has completely different needs from a government than does Metropolitan Toronto
Each level of government deals with different areas

4. Levels of Government and Their Assigned Responsibilities
Federal
Provincial
Municipal
Financial
Welfare
Parks and Recreation
Canada Post
Natural Resources
Fire Service
Foreign Affairs
Supervision of Municipalities
Local Police Service
Citizenship
Provincial Taxation
Water Services
Economic Policy
Provincial Prisons
Snow Clearance
Taxation
Health Care
Local Schools
Penitentiaries
Worker's Compensation Plan
Road Maintenance
Sea Coast / Inland Fishing
Education Funding
Libraries
Aboriginal Affairs
O.P.P.
Recycling
Marriage and Divorce
Drivers Licencing
Sewage
Employment Insurance
Highways
Garbage Collection
Government Spending
Public Transit
Shipping and Navigation
National Defence
Criminal Laws
Residual Powers: The Federal Government is responsible for all areas that are not directly referred to in the Constitution.

5. Provincial and Territorial Governments

6. Executive Branch Premier:
Leader of the party that wins the most seats becomes the premier of Premier Ministre (Quebec)
Seats: the right to sit as a member of a legislature, based on winning a riding in an election

7. Lieutenant-Governor Representative of the crown
Appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the premier
Duties similar to Governor General but on a smaller scale
Visits around provinces
Opening of provincial legislature
Swearing in cabinet ministres
Signing bills and calling elections on the advice of the Premier

8. Lieutenant-Governor cont’d
Tends to represent different cultural/ethnic groups that reflect the social and cultural make-up of their province

9. Legislative Branch Members in the provincial legislature are elected
Called MLA’s (Members of Legislative Assembly) or MPP’s (Member of Provincial Parliament)
Governing body introduces bills and has to answer to the opposition

10. Consensus Government
Territories and Nunavut run by a consensus (do not belong to political parties)
After election: elect a premier, Speaker and Cabinet from their own members
Issues and bills are debated and passed with the agreement of all member
Not adversarial but seeks compromise and benefits for all citizens

11. Relationship between the federal gov’t and the provincial/territorial gov’ts
Often a love-hate relationship
Provinces and territories that need help financially receive money from the fed gov’t in the form of transfer payments.
Usually needed for hlth care or infrastructure
Fed gov’t also administers the equalization program where richer provinces and territories contribute a higher share of taxes to help support less successful economies across Canada

12. Municipal or Local Governments
“Think Globally, Act Locally”

13. Municipal/ Local Gov’t
Has the greatest impact on you
Provides leadership and governance for towns, cities, and regions
Leaders are elected
Responsible for:
Local taxes -garbage collection
By laws -public libraries
Water inspection
Maintenance of roads