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The Canadian Government

The Canadian Government. Grade 8 Social Studies. The Canadian Government. Canada has a constitutional monarchy, which means that their head of state is a monarch (king or queen), but that monarch has to follow a constitution. There are three parts to the Canadian government

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The Canadian Government

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  1. The Canadian Government Grade 8 Social Studies

  2. The Canadian Government • Canada has a constitutional monarchy, which means that their head of state is a monarch (king or queen), but that monarch has to follow a constitution. • There are three parts to the Canadian government • The Sovereign (The King or Queen) • The Parliament (divided into the House of Commons and the Senate) • The Judiciary Branch (divided into the Supreme Court, the Federal Court, and the Tax Court)

  3. The Parts of the Government

  4. The Head of the Government • The head of the Canadian government is the King or Queen of Canada. • They are also the King or Queen of Britain • Currently it is Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II

  5. The Governor General • The Governor General is the monarch’s representative • Must sign all bills before they become law. • This person is appointed by the monarch • Receives the title “The Right Honourable” • Currently, the Governor General is The Right Honourable David Johnston

  6. The Prime Minister • Is elected to be the leader of one of the parties of Canada by the members of the party • Whichever party wins the most ridings in a federal election is the official government of Canada, and that party’s leader becomes the Prime Minister • Currently, it is Stephen Harper

  7. The Prime Minister’s Office • Find suitable candidates for the Prime Minister to put forward as possible: • Governor Generals • Lieutenant Governors • Senators • Supreme Court Justices • Chairpersons of ministerial boards • Heads of Crown corporations • Also includes speech writers, strategists, and communications staffers • Write speeches for the Prime Minister, keep the Prime Minister informed of government news, and act as a link between the political party organization and the government.

  8. The Cabinet • The Prime Minister chooses Members of Parliament from his/her party to become part of the cabinet • These people are then appointed by the Governor General • They are essentially advisors to the Prime Minister, and are put in charge of different National programs and services • They are called “Ministers” of their program or service

  9. Privy Council Office • Coordinates the day-to-day running of the government • Provides non-partisan advice to the Prime Minister • Works with many of the Ministries on their publicity and public image

  10. The Parliament • The is made up of two branches • The House of Commons • The Senate • They handle the actual government business and the running of the country

  11. The House of Commons • Referred to as the Lower House • Is elected by the people of the country in a federal election • Each province is divided into constituencies or ridings, and each riding has a seat in the House of Commons • Has 308 seats – this will change to 338 in the next election • The leader of the House of Commons is the Prime Minister • The party with the most seats is the official government of Canada (currently this is the Conservative Party) • The party with the second most seats is the official opposition (currently this is the New Democratic Party)

  12. The Senate • Referred to as the Upper House • Appointed by the Governor General upon the advice of the Prime Minister • There are 105 senators • There is no set term, instead, they serve on the Senate until they are 75 • They approve the bills that are passed by the House of Commons

  13. The Supreme Court • The highest court in Canada • Has 9 judges • They hear cases from the lower judicial courts • Are the final court of appeals for the Canadian justice system • Their decisions are final

  14. The Federal Court • Was split into two courts in 2003 – The Federal Court – Trial Division, and the Federal Court of Appeal • The Federal Court hears mostly cases dealing with immigration or plagiarism/piracy, and cases involving the federal government • The Court of Appeal hears cases appealed from provincial courts before they are taken to the Supreme Court • Cases from the Trial Division MAY be heard in the Appeal Court, but only in special circumstances

  15. The Tax Court • Deals only with tax issues • Deals with companies and individuals

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