Issue 1: Canada’s Federal Government

1. Issue 1: Canada’s Federal Government Topics covered: The need for government Branches of government and the law-making process Bodies of government Role of political parties, media and lobby groups

2. Why government? • The government is the body with power to make decisions for a society. • All societies have some form of government. They have some way to establish and enforce rules.

3. Why government? • Without government, society would be in a state of anarchy (disorder, chaos). • Government establishes order. • Government provides services to those whom they govern. • Canadians live in a democracy. In democracies citizens determine who governs, and citizens have a high degree of participation and influence in how their society is run.

4. Chapter One: How effectively does Canada’s federal political system govern Canada for all Canadians? • Let’s begin exploring this question by reading the following: • page 16 of our textbook, Issues for Canadians • the comic on page 21

5. Canada’s Constitution (1982) • The Canadian Constitution is the ‘rule book’ for how our nation is governed: • The structure of our government • The Charter of Rights and Freedoms • Separation of powers amongst the federal and provincial/territorial governments • Ways to amend the constitution • From 1867-1982, the British North America Act was our ‘rule book.’ This was a British law and could only be amended through British government.

6. Canada’s Constitution (1982) • The Constitution Act 0f 1982 released our constitution from British law, and included various amendments, notably the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. • Read page 22 for an additional overview of the constitution and the branches of government.

7. The Executive Branch • Read the cartoon on page 23 of your textbook. • Who is part of The Executive Branch? • What does the cabinet do? Who decides which MPs (members of parliament) join the cabinet?

8. The Executive Branch • The part of government responsible for putting laws into action. • Includes the Prime Minister (PM) and the cabinet. • To become the PM, you must: • Be elected as leader of a political party (see bottom of pg. 24) • Be elected as a member of parliament • Your party must win the most seats in the House of Commons (pg. 27)

9. The Executive Branch • The cabinet are appointed by the PM. • Cabinet ministers (those part of the cabinet) are given portfolios (responsibilities) by the PM. • Departments and Agencies (pg. 25) • The cabinet proposes most of the ideas which become laws. • The PM and the cabinet run the everyday business of the government. • What factors do you think the PM takes into account when appointing members of the cabinet?

10. The Governor General • The Governor General is the Queen’s representative in Canada. The Governor General usually serves five years. • The Queen appoints the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. • Role of the Governor General (besides representing the British Monarchy) • ensure that Canada always has a Prime Minister. For example, if no party had a clear majority after an election, or if the Prime Minister were to die in office, the Governor General would have to choose a successor.

11. The Governor General • The Governor General acts on the advice of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. • The duties of the Governor General include the following: • summoning, opening and ending sessions of Parliament • reading the Speech from the Throne • giving Royal Assent to bills • signing state documents • dissolving Parliament for an election.

12. The Legislative Branch (Canada’s parliament) • The legislative branch is the part of government that makes laws. • It includes the House of Commons, the Senate and the governor general.

13. The House of Commons • The major law-making body in Canada’s federal political system. • The members of the House of Commons debate, study and vote on laws proposed for Canada. • Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected by voters. • MPs represent the voters of one riding, or district. • MPs are usually members of a political party. • The political party with the most MPs form the government, which the other parties for the opposition. • Representation in the House of Commons is by population.

14. Who forms the government? • Read page 28 of your textbook and answer the following questions: • Why are ‘seats’ important in the House of Commons • Explain the difference between a majority government and a minority government. • Do we have a majority or a minority government today? • Examine the political cartoon projected on the white board.

15. Role of the Opposition • The opposition keeps the government ‘in check’ • During question period, the opposition question the PM and cabinet regarding government decisions. • Shadow cabinet • They create debate, act as watchdog and speak for the different views and perspectives of Canadians.

16. Members of Parliament • Two main responsibilities: • Represent their constituents • Constituent: someone who lives in a riding and is represented by an elected official from that riding • Create legislation • Read “How do MPs see their role” on pg 29.

17. How are MPs elected? • A candidate must win the most votes. • They DO NOT need the majority of votes (50% or more). • Popular vote: the total votes cast in an election as opposed to the total seats won in an election. • By looking at the information on page 30, answer the following question: • What impact does the popular vote have on the results of an election?

18. The Senate • Role: To provide “sober second thought”—careful reconsideration—to all proposed legislation. • Further study and debate on laws • A bill cannot become law until both the House of Commons and the Senate passes it. • Members are called senators • The PM appoints senators (however, Stephen Harper would like this to change) • They can remain in office until age 75. • PM usually appoints people who support the PM’s party

19. The Senate • Represent the interests and rights of Canada’s regions, especially minorities. Helps ensure that minorities still have a strong voice within Canada. • The Senate can propose laws, but cannot propose laws which create or spend taxes. • A bill must be passed by both the Senate and the House of Commons to become law. • The Senate can reject laws from the House of Commons, although the Senate rarely uses this power.

20. The Senate • Read pages 32-33 of your textbook and answer the following questions: • Why might Canadians have different views and perspectives on the role of the Senate in Canada’s political system? What evidence can you find on this page? (pg. 32) • How does the structure of the Senate represent Canadians in a different way than the House of Commons? How does this structure help the Senate act in the interests of regions and minority groups?

21. The Judicial Branch • Let’s read the cartoon on page 34 of your textbook. • Judicial branch: the branch of government that interprets and applies the law by making legal judgments. • The Judicial Branch includes Canada’s courts of law. • The Supreme Court of Canada is the highest court in the nation. It has the final word on legal questions in the country. • The Judicial branch is separate from the other branches and checks on their powers. • It interprets and applies all law in Canada, including rights, so it has the important responsibility for making sure the rights of Canadians are upheld and respected.

22. Supreme Court Judges • Members of the judicial branch come from the legal profession. • Members of the Supreme Court are appointed by the PM and the Cabinet. • The Supreme Court consists of 9 judges: • One chief justice • Eight puisine judges