Government

1. Government

2. A political party: A group of people that share common (political) beliefs and organize to represent these beliefs as a “party” • Ideology: The shared beliefs of a political party providing framework for decisions (left, right, centre) Simplest level: a set of beliefs by which people live their lives On a national scale: a set of beliefs by which a nation is guided or governed

3. Liberalism: • The belief of equal rights and the importance of individuality • Conservatism: - The belief in traditional ways and accepting minimal change to the status quo

4. Socialism: - The belief in which decisions are made by the public with the welfare of all people in mind. - While capitalism exists, public/common ownership is commonplace > social programs, crown corporations, etc.

5. Fascism: • A belief system based on the value of the state over the individual (service to the state and the strength of the state is what matters most) • Capitalism exists, but is directed by the state • Tends to be chauvinistic, militaristic, nationalistic • Rule by a dictator • Best examples: Mussolini in Italy; Hitler in Germany

6. Communism: (in theory) • Aims for classless society (no upper/ lower/ bourgeoisie/proletariate) • Everyone works to the best of their abilities for the benefit of everyone • No private ownership • Means of production are run by the government and wealth is distributed evenly among the people

7. Totalitarianism: • One leader has no limits on authority • Control over everything (control over the press, no freedom of speech, usually a secret police, etc.) • Examples: Stalin in U.S.S.R; Hitler in Nazi Germany

8. Anarchy: • A state in which no one person is governing, but each individual has total liberty - Also based on the belief that individuals will do the “right thing” and don’t need a governing body to tell citizens what is “right”

9. Democracy: system of gov't based around voting - people get a say (either direct or indirect) • Direct Democracy: every eligible citizen participates directly by voting on all decisions • representative democracy: allowing elected reps to make decision on their behalf (WE HAVE THIS)

10. Left-wing: • Support change in order to improve the welfare of all citizens. • Gov'tshould play larger role in ppl's lives, especially providing social services -Law & order are important to protect rights of all citizens fairly & equally

11. Centre: • tradition is important, but change must be supported if ppl want it - Gov't should play a role only when it improves lives of citizens - law and order important, etc.

12. Right -wing: - tradition is important; change should be treated with caution - Gov't should play small role; private business should ensure needs of citizens are met - emphasizes law and order to protect society and its traditions

13. The Foundations & Structure & Role of Our Government:

14. Constitutional monarchy: king or queen as head of state • BNA Act: written part of our constitution drafted in 1867

15. Constitution: -A legal document that outlines who should have the power to make various decisions. - The supreme law of the land. It outlines the structure of the gov't and gives the gov't the limitations and boundaries of their power.

16. Charter of Rights and Freedoms: A bill of rights entrenched in the Constitution that guarantees political rights to citizens and civil rights to everyone in the country: • freedom of speech, assembly, mobility, etc.

17. Charter of Rights and Freedoms: Includes:  legal rights – guarantees the right to a lawyer democratic rights – preserves the right to vote minority language rights – guarantees the right to be educated in one’s first language mobility rights – grants the right to travel and work in any province or leave the country

18. Amending Formula: - Constitutional change can be made only if seven out of ten provinces representing at least 50 percent of the population agree with the proposed change.

19. “Notwithstanding Clause” Provinces can create laws that go against the Charter by invoking the “notwithstanding clause” It basically allows a province to pass a law which violates the Charter of Rights, by using an extraordinary invocation of the clause.Such a declaration has a term of only 5 yrs, although it can be renewed indefinitely

20. Executive branch: • Enforce orders and ensure they are carried out as they are intended • Legislative branch: branch of gov’t established for law-making process > -House of Commons -Crown / Monarch (Governor General) -Senate

21. Judicial branch: - Court system

22. Federal system (federalism) A government system which has a central government with overarching authority, and also shared responsibilities with provinces, and provinces also.

23. Federal Responsibilities: • National Defense • Foreign Policy • Aboriginal Affairs • Postal Services • Banking System • Marriage & Divorce Law • Criminal Law • Federal Prisons

24. Shared Responsibilities: • Immigration • Agriculture • Health Care • Natural Resources • Environmental Issues

25. Provincial Responsibilities: • Education • Charities • Health Services & Hospitals • Licenses • Highways • Provincial Court System • Provincial Police & Prisons

26. Residual Powers: - Any aspect that was not covered by the division of responsibilities reverts to the Federal Government

27. Municipal Government: • A local system of gov’t > towns, cities • “Council” made up of elected councillors, and usually led by a Mayor • Every 4 years (recently changed from 3 yrs)

28. How the Federal Government Operates: (read p.227 <)

29. Federal election occurrence: • At least every 4 years unless called by the Prime Minister sooner • Currently there is a bill that calls for fixed election dates.

30. Riding or constituency or electoral districts: • Areas roughly equal in population, divided for specific needs • http://www.elections.ca/res/cir/maps/map.asp?type=prov&map=BC&lang=e

31. 308 ridings across Canada

32. MP: Member of Parliament (FEDERAL reps) • Sits in House of Commons and represents an electoral district – responsible to his party and his constituents... Which gets precedence?

33. How the Federal Gov’t Operates • Parliament: • The House of Commons, Senate, Gov.Gen

34. House of Commons: - Only legislative branch with elected members. Elections for seats must occur every 4 years, unless the Prime Minister calls for an earlier one.

35. Representation by population: the representation in the House of Commons is based on a province's population (more people = more seats in gov't)

36. Total number of seats in the H of C determined by: - Pop of Canada – more seats for more pop.

37. Conservative Party of Canada:

38. Liberal Party of Canada:

39. New Democratic Party:

40. The Green Party:

41. The Bloc Quebecois:

42. Elections: Process and Results

43. Choosing a party leader: • Interested party members may be nominated to run in a leadership race • Each member of a party casts votes to select the candidate they want • Can sometimes be a series of votes to narrow the field • These are at “Leadership Conventions”

44. Choosing party candidates: - Usually the members of a partyin a given constituency / riding, will vote on local candidates for that party to select who will represent the party in the next election.

45. Volunteers jobs during a campaign: - Answer phones, hand out pamphlets, go door to door to seek support, put up signs and posters, etc.

46. Polling: • Taking a survey of people’s opinions before an election to see trends of support, or to see what issues concern the public, or to see the public’s reaction to certain events. • Often conducted by independent pollsters ie. Angus-Reid • Why are the results of polls important? - So that parties can see the views of Canadians and try to deliver and gain support before the election

47. VOTING: • Voter eligibility: • To vote in a federal election you must be a Canadian citizen and be 18 years of age (that excludes refugees or landed-immigrants)

48. Election day polling stations: • Polling stations are places where Canadians go to vote, to cast their ballots • There are usually a few of these stations set up in a community of our size. You are assigned a polling station based on your address.

49. Registered voters: • Someone who is allowed and eligible to cast their vote • You have to actually register to vote and be added to a database of Canadians who are allowed to vote – then every election they send you a voter card, telling you which polling station to go to to vote.

50. Polling officers: - People who oversee the polling station