How effectively does Canada’s federal political system govern for all Canadians?

How effectively does Canada’s federal political system govern for all Canadians? • A look at our political system...

Questions to Find Out • What is the structure of Canada’s federal political system? • How do laws become laws?

The Constitution • Describes the governance of Canada • Sets out the roles of the different roles of government • Has the three branches working together • Has the Charter of Rights and Freedoms

British Monarch • Represented by the governor general in Canada • They are the formal head of state • Figurehead (no concrete power)

The Executive Branch • Responsible for putting laws into action • Consists of the prime minister and the cabinet • PM is head of government, are elected as a leader of the political party • The cabinet includes people with responsibilities for different government departments and agencies (portfolios)

Executive Cont’d • Some of the portfolios are health, finance, environment, etc • Cabinet ministers are a part of the leading political party • The PM assigns the portfolios • The cabinet proposes ideas for laws

What factors do you think the prime minister takes into account when appointing the members of cabinet?

As prime minister, how could you use cabinet positions to respond to issues about government that concern Canadians?

Political Parties • Group of people who have similar ideas on how to face issues • Are organizations • Candidates run for them in elections • The parties develop policies • You could even join a political party if you wanted!

The Legislative Branch • The major law making body • Contains the House of Commons, the Senate, and the governor general • Also called parliament • They debate, study, and vote on laws (bills) which are proposed

Legislative Branch Cont’d • HofC is made up of MP’s; voters elect them • Each MP represents a riding or district and they run under a specific political party • HofC is done in English AND French • Representation is based by population

Majority vs. Minority Government • It is easy for the government to get bills passed if they have a majority • If they have a minority they have to try and get support from another political party so that they can get 50% on a vote

If you were prime minister, to what extent would you work with the opposition? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOD1yZbIik8

MP’s Roles • Have two key responsibilities: • Represent their constituents (a person who lives in a riding who is represented by an official.... and MP) • Create legislation for the peace, order, and keep good order of government for all Canadians • Is elected by winning the most votes in their constituency

Popular Vote • The total support political parties win during an election, regardless of whether they win ridings • The number of ridings depends on population • What if the government was counted by popular vote instead of by riding?

The Senate • Are not elected, they are appointed by the PM (usually support his/her party) • Only a few seats come at once so there will be members from other parties • Can remain until they are 75

Senate Cont’d • Are there to represent the minorities in Canada • Are appointed by region • Proceedings are in French and English • Can propose laws, but usually just consider bills from of HofC • CAN’T create laws that spend taxes • Bills cannot become laws until it is passed by them • They can reject bills (rarely do…)

Why might the role of the Senate to represent minorities be important to governance in Canada?

Turn to page 33 and look at the representation of the HofC and the Senate! Compare them!

What do you think about our government system? Would you change anything? Why or why not?Do you think it works for Canada?

House of Commons http://parlvu.parl.gc.ca/ParlVu/ContentEntityDetailView.aspx?ContentEntityId=6473

How effectively does Canada’s federal political system govern for all Canadians?