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Chapter 14 Canadian Government

Chapter 14 Canadian Government. Parliament Hill, the seat of Canada’s federal government. What is a government?. The governing body of a nation, state (province) or community.

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Chapter 14 Canadian Government

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  1. Chapter 14Canadian Government Parliament Hill, the seat of Canada’s federal government

  2. What is a government? • The governing body of a nation, state (province) or community. • the political direction and control exercised over the actions of the members, citizens, or inhabitants of communities, societies, and states; direction of the affairs of a state, community, etc.; political administration: Government is necessary to the existence of civilized society.

  3. Canadian federal system • 4 colonies that first formed Canada: 1 Nova Scotia 2 New Brunswick 3 Quebec 4 Ontario • When did the others join? Check pg. 222 What is a Confederation? Canada became a country on July 1, 1867, when four colonies of British North America joined or Confederated to form the Dominion of Canada.

  4. Becoming a nation was not easy because the colonies were so different from each other. • (needs of coastal areas vs. needs of inland ) • Instead of having a unitary system of government, where there is only 1 government for the entire country, Canada adopted a federal system.

  5. Federal system • 1 a central government (the federal government) that makes decisions for the country as a whole • ex: defence, trade, banking • 2 a regional or provincial government that makes decisions about matters that concern the provinces • ex: health, education 2 Levels of government

  6. Municipal government A third level of government that looks after local affairs.

  7. How is the government Organized? • 1legislative power: the power to make laws • 2executive power: the power to administer the country and to carry out laws • 3judicial power: the power to interpret and enforce laws All governments have 3 basic powers:

  8. Leaders of the governments • Federal- Prime Minister • Provincial- Premier • Municipal- Mayor

  9. The prime minister The most powerful government official in Canada • The leader of the party that wins the most seats in the House of Commons • Major duties are both legislative and executive

  10. Responsibility of the Government • The government’s main responsibility is to use its resources to protect and promote Canada and its citizens. • It does this by introducing its policies to Parliament in the form of bills • Bills- proposals for new laws

  11. The federal parliament • 1 the Cabinet • 2 the House of Commons • 3 the Senate • 4 the governor general (the Queen’s representative) The Federal Parliament is made up of:

  12. The Life of a bill • Before each session of Parliament, the prime minister and the government plan a legislative agenda that outlines the new laws they intend to create. • Once Parliament is in session, the process to turn ideas, or policies, into law begins. • The life of a bill involves a series of steps that takes it through both the House of Commons and the Senate.

  13. The cabinet • The most powerful members of government • Cabinet is the inner circle of government. Its members are called ministers. • Each minister is in charge of a department. • ex: minister of fisheries

  14. The Cabinet is responsible for: • major decisions • overseeing the public service • preparing new laws (approval of bills)

  15. party whips • A cabinet member for each political party that is responsible for ensuring party members are: • present for votes • follow the party line

  16. The house of commons • The main legislative body of the federal government. • Members are representatives from across the country and they are known as MP’s (members of Parliament) • Bills must go through “Three Readings” in The House of Commons before they can be approved.

  17. What are some other roles in the House of Commons? • Who are some other important people? • Check pg. 228

  18. The senate • Members are not elected, they are recommended by the prime minister and then appointed by the governor general. • They are called senators. • Provides a “second look” at any bills being proposed as new laws.

  19. The governor general • The Queen’s representative. • Duties are largely ceremonial. • The final step in the life of a bill. After the governor general signs the bill, it becomes an act of Parliament and is then law.

  20. LEVELS AND BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT

  21. Areas of government and their function

  22. Provincial government • organization is similar to the federal government. • the premier is in charge • lieutenant-governoracts in the same way as the governor general • the legislative assembly acts in the same way as the House of Commons • no equivalent to the Senate.

  23. The judicial branch • The third branch of government (the court system or judiciary) which : - interprets laws - settles conflicts - determines guilt - decides on penalties This branch of government is INDEPENDENT of Parliament which is an important element of democracy.

  24. This branch of government is INDEPENDENT of Parliament which is an important element of democracy. • ensures that the political process is following the law

  25. The rule of law • a basic principle of our legal system that means that everyone is subject equally to the law (even the government) • In Canada, our laws are designed for the protection of our citizens.

  26. What is politics? • Politics is the way in which we organize ourselves so that members of our society can live together in peace and security. • It allows us to work out a balance among the various interests of the different groups.

  27. democracy • Government by the people. • People participate in the way they are governed. The system of government in Canada

  28. Political parties • Groups of citizens who share similar values and ideas about the way the government should address certain issues. • They give Canadians a voice in the way they are governed, and provide a way for them to participate in shaping their government. • They change over time.

  29. Canada’s major federal and provincial political parties in 2011 • Conservative Party • The New Democratic Party • The Liberal Party

  30. The election process • Constituents (districts) develop political parties • Parties elect candidates • Candidates run in an election • Party with most winning candidates forms the government. The party with the second most winning candidates forms the opposition. • Elected representatives of each party form party caucuses. • Governing party leader becomes prime minister/premier

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