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Canada’s Government

Canada’s Government. How it’s organized Roles & Buildings. Canada’s Federal Government. Canada is a democratic constitutional monarchy with: a Sovereign as head of State an elected Prime Minister as head of Government

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Canada’s Government

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  1. Canada’s Government How it’s organized Roles & Buildings

  2. Canada’s Federal Government • Canada is a democratic constitutional monarchy with: • a Sovereignas head of State • an electedPrime Minister as head of Government • Little done with sovereign (Queen) but still symbolic

  3. A video to begin… • Canada’s Democracy – student vote video • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUW3oQ7gN1E

  4. Governor General of Canada • nearly all powers/authority of the Crown or Queen = delegated to Governor General • appointed by Queen on the recommendation of the Prime Minister • role of the Canadian Governor General symbolic & ceremonial • summons and dissolves Parliament • gives Royal Assent to legislation • signs government documents

  5. The Federal Government of Canada • The federal government = nationalgovernment of Canada • It includes: • Prime Minister of Canada and cabinet • the Parliament of Canada • federal courts and various departments and agencies which administer the day-to-day business of government

  6. About the Prime Minister of Canada • The Prime Minister of Canada is: • most powerful role in Canadian politics • the head of the government in Canada • usually leader of Canadian federal political party electing most members to the Canadian House of Commons during general election • the head of the executive branch and part of the legislative of the Canadian federal government • Role: • selects and chairs cabinet, the key decision-making forum in the Canadian federal government • must maintain the confidence of the people

  7. Prime Ministers in Canadian History • Since Canadian Confederation in 1867 = 22 prime ministers of Canada. • Quick Facts: • more than two-thirds have been lawyers • most came to the job with some cabinet experience • only one woman prime minister (Kim Campbell) → only prime minister for about four and a half months • longest-serving prime minister was Mackenzie King → more than 21 years • shortest term in office was Sir Charles Tupper → 69 days

  8. Stephen HarperCurrent PM of Canada • Stephen Harper helped form new Conservative Party of Canada in 2003 • led the Conservative Party to a minority government in the 2006 federal election (defeated Liberals had power 13 years) and won again in 2008 • emphasis in his first two years in office → getting tough on crime, enlarging the military, reducing taxes and decentralizing government • after 2008 focus on the Canadian economy • won 2011 general election this time with majority government

  9. Leader of Opposition & Shadow Cabinet • leader of the opposition is head of the party that received second highest number of votes • Leader of opposition may choose members of his/her caucus or party to serve as critics of specific departments, portfolios or subject areas = collectively called a shadow cabinet • Critics gain expertise on the policies and issues related to the specific subject area (military for example) and ask questions and provide advice and criticism both inside and outside parliament

  10. The Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition • current Leader of the Opposition is Thomas Mulcair of the New Democratic Party

  11. Parliament of Canada • The Parliament of Canada is legislative branch of the federal government in Canada and makes the laws of Canada. • Parliament is made up of three parts: • Crown or Queen, represented by the Governor General of Canada • House of Commons • Senate

  12. Let’s take a look… Parliament of Canada - Parliament Buildings https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaaDML6n9IA

  13. Parliament of Canada The House of Commons Video Tour and Discussion • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4oKuEsoFzU

  14. Role of the Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada • election of a Speaker is the first order of business of the House of Commons after a general election • The Speaker of the House of Commons is: • amember of parliament (MP) elected by secret ballot by all MPs to preside over the House of Commons • required to carry out his/her duties in a non-partisan manner (can’t take sides) • debates or votes only to break a tie

  15. Canadian House of Commons • The House of Commons in Canada is • the elected lower house • most powerful body of Parliament • made up of 308 members of parliament elected from ridings or electoral districts across Canada • Role: • introduces legislation in the House of Commons and once passed there goes to the Senate for review – Senate is later!

  16. Seats in the House of Commons • Alberta 28 • British Columbia 36 • Manitoba 14 • New Brunswick 10 • Newfoundland and Labrador 7 • Northwest Territories 1 • Nova Scotia 11 • Nunavut 1 • Ontario 106 • Prince Edward Island 4 • Quebec 75 • Saskatchewan 14 • Yukon Territory 1

  17. Role of Canadian Members of Parliament (MPs) • are elected in a general election (usually called every four or five years, or by-election when a seat empty due to resignation or death) • represent the regional/local concerns of constituents in their ridings (also called electoral districts) in the House of Commons • solve problems for constituents on wide variety of federal government matters – like checking on individual problems with federal government departments or providing info on federal programs/policies • maintain a high profile in their ridings = take part in local events and official functions

  18. Making Laws • public servants & cabinet ministers directly responsible for drafting new legislation • members of parliament can influence legislation through debates in the House of Commons and during all-party committee meetings that examine legislation • voteson legislation in the House of Commons = usually formality following party lines • MPs can introduce legislation of their own, called "private members bills," = rare for private members bill to pass

  19. What about the Senate?

  20. Senate of Canada • The Senate of Canada: • is the upper house of Parliament • made up of people appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister • provides "sober, second thought" on the work done by the House of Commons = reviewing and amending legislation and on occasion vetoing bills • can introduce its own bills (not "money bills" which impose taxes or spend public money. Senate bills must also be passed in the House of Commons)

  21. Parliament of Canada - The Senate • Video Tour of the Senate and discussion • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLadbJe4MXg

  22. Now on the Provincial Level…

  23. TVO clip of elected to settling in at Queen’s Park • http://tvo.org/story/elected-welcome-queens-park

  24. How can you get involved? • Take a tour of the parliament or legislature buildings • Become a tour guide • Become a page • Watch the ‘Question Period’ on TV • Lobby your MPP or MPP to make a change • Vote for who gets elected into the MP or MPP seat

  25. Works cited canadaonline.about.com • Other resources: • Parliament of Canada - The House of Commons Foyer • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atv027jtFPI&list=PLF_YRVnBKD-wCdMQwp3ZOjhPAuSKJMnpB&index=4 • Parliament of Canada - The Senate Foyer • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wthS9GyiBp8&index=2&list=PLF_YRVnBKD-wCdMQwp3ZOjhPAuSKJMnpB • Parliament of Canada - The Library of Parliament • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noTOdH0il8o&list=PLF_YRVnBKD-wCdMQwp3ZOjhPAuSKJMnpB&index=6

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