1 / 19

GOVERNMENT

GOVERNMENT. A few thoughts on government and democracy. Democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time. – Winston Churchill

jdiebold
Download Presentation

GOVERNMENT

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. GOVERNMENT

  2. A few thoughts on government and democracy • Democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.– Winston Churchill • The strongest democracies flourish from frequent and lively debate, but they endure when people of every background and belief find a way to set aside smaller differences in service of a greater purpose.– Barack Obama • The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.– Winston Churchill • Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education.– Franklin Roosevelt

  3. Your thoughts • How has gov’t played a role in your life?

  4. Democracy Monarchy Constitution What do you think the definition is for each of these words? Definitions

  5. Definitions • Democracy – ruled by the people • Monarchy – a state ruled by a monarch (king, queen or emperor) • Constitution – a system of fundamental principles

  6. How does this apply to Canada? • Ancient Greeks – Direct democracy • All citizens vote in all decisions that affect society • Canada – Representative democracy • Elected representatives make decisions

  7. How does this apply to Canada? • Absolute Monarchy – a gov’t run solely by the ruler (not us) • Constitutional Monarchy • the recognition of a monarch as the head of state (us) • …but, we have our own constitution • …and, the Queen is subject to our laws

  8. How does this apply to Canada? • Canadian Constitution • a legal document outlining who should have the power to make various decisions • The supreme law of the land • Contains the Charter of Rights and Freedoms • Parliament/Legislative Branch • The group of representatives who govern the country – elected • Made up of the Governor General, the House of Commons and the Senate

  9. Three Branches of Government Legislative Power -Make Laws/Pass Bills Made up of elected representatives *House of Commons *Senate Executive Power -Makes decisions -Administers decisions *Prime Minister*Cabinet Judicial Power -interpret law -administer law *Judges

  10. Executive Branch The Prime Minister Has three central roles: • Head of Government (with Gov. Generals—helps name judges & calls elections, choses his cabinet ministers, and final say in creating policies) • National Leader (addresses Canadians on issues of concern, represents Canadians abroad) • Party Leader (ex. Justin Trudeau is the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada)

  11. Executive Branch Executive Branch cont… • The Cabinet • Appointed by the PM • They speak to Canadians on behalf of their department • Examples: Minister of Finance(Bill Morneau) Minister of National Defense: (Harjit Sajjan)

  12. Legislative Branch Governor General -Remember…the royal representative in our country House of Commons (AKA, Lower House) -Elected members from ridings -Where laws are passed and debated -currently 338 seats Senate (AKA, Upper House) - Provides final check on legislation passed in House of C -May also introduce, debate and pass bills • Controlled by the Speaker of the House • Speaker mediates

  13. Legislative Branch • House of Commons (lower house) • All Members of Parliament including the PM and the Cabinet • The main part of the parliamentary system • Where laws and spending decisions are made • 338 elected members (MPs)

  14. Legislative Branch cont… • Population of Canada = 35,851,800 (statscan, 2015) • Total number of seats in the H.O.C. = 338 • Population of BC = 4,683,100 • Total number of seats in the H.O.C. = 42 Do you feel BC is under represented? Why or why not?

  15. House of Commons Speaker Back-benchers Opposition PM, ruling party

  16. Legislative Branch cont… • How Do MPs Vote? • Each political pary holds private meetings called a caucus • Within Caucus (a party meeting) party member’s/MPs can express their opinions freely on issues • However, once a decision is made, MPs are expected to vote in favour of their party’s position

  17. Legislative Branch cont… • Senate (upper house) • Not an elected body • Consists of 105 men and women appointed by the Governor General by recommendation of the Prime Minister • At least 30 years of age and can hold office until the age of 75 • Provides the final check on bills (which become laws) • Also known as a “sober second thought”

  18. Today’s Homework • Read the Counterpoints section (pp.231-233) and take one of the following stances • Abolish the Senate • Reform the Senate • Leave the Senate alone *Write a one page, multi-paragraphed response defending your stance.

More Related