Branches of Government :The Legislative Branch

Three Branches of Government1.) Legislative Branch = makes

laws

2.) Executive Branch = implements laws

3.) Judicial = enforcement of laws

Legislative Branch

- There are 3 major components of the legislative branch:

- 1.) Governor General- 2.) House of Commons- 3.) Senate* House of Commons has most

important role

1. Who’s Who – The Governor General Head of state but has

no significant power (symbolic position)Acts on advice from

members of House of Commons

Governor General is the representative of, and is appointed by, the Queen (Monarch)

GG’s ‘govern’ for a term of approx. 5 years

Current GG is David Johnston

                                 

                                       

Government Composition

In Canada government is formed by the political party which wins the most seats in a federal election

The leader of the party which forms government is the Prime Minister

2. Who’s Who – The House of Commons Structure of the House of Commons

-House of Commons consists of all the representatives elected to the house who are called Members of Parliament (MP’s)There are approx. 308 MP’s in Canada – 1 for

each riding (district of roughly 100,000 people)

MP’s debate legislation called bills (proposed laws)

Party with 2nd most seats in House, is called the “Official Opposition”MP’s of all parties who do not make up

government are called opposition

2. Who’s Who – The House of Commons

1. Speaker. The Member elected by the House to serve as its spokesman and to preside over its proceedings. In particular, he or she is responsible for maintaining order and decorum. As Chairman of the Board of Internal Economy, the Speaker oversees the administration of the House. Please see the Speaker of the House of Commons page for more information.

2. Page. A first year student from one of the national capital region universities employed by the House of Commons to carry messages, and to deliver House documents and other reading material to Members in the Chamber during sittings of the House.

3. Cabinet Minister. A member of the Cabinet appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. Usually chosen from among existing Members and Senators, ministers are responsible to Parliament for their official actions and those of their departments. They are given the title "The Honourable" and membership on the Privy Council for life. Please see the Cabinet page for more information.

4. Opposition Party. A political party which is neither the Government party nor part of the coalition of parties forming the Government.

5. Prime Minister. The Head of Government, who is ordinarily the leader of the party having the greatest number of seats in the House of Commons. Appointed by the Governor General, the Prime Minister selects the other members of the Cabinet and, along with them, is responsible to the House for the administration of public affairs. Please see the Prime Minister page for more information.

6. Leader of the Official Opposition. The leader of the party with the second largest membership in the House of Commons. Please see the Leader of the Official Opposition page for more information.

7. Leader of the second largest party in opposition. 8. Clerk and Table Officers.

Clerk of the House. The chief procedural adviser to the Speaker and to Members of the House of Commons and Secretary to the Board of Internal Economy. Appointed by the Governor in Council, the Clerk is responsible for a wide range of administrative and procedural duties relating to the work of the House and its committees.

Table Officers. The clerks who provide procedural advice during sittings of the House, take the votes and keep the minutes of proceedings.

9. Mace. A large, heavy and richly-ornamented staff which is the symbol of authority of the House of Commons. When the Speaker takes the Chair, the Mace is placed on the Table by the Sergeant-at-Arms to signify the House is in session.

10. Hansard. Debates. The printed record of the proceedings in the House published

after each sitting and based on the edited and corrected text of the "blues". The Debates are often identified as "Hansard" which is the name of the British family once responsible for the transcription of the proceedings of the House of Commons in the United Kingdom.

Monitors. One monitor (two during Question Period) sits at a desk in the centre of the Chamber and identifies speakers and interjections on a dubbing channel while the debates are recorded electronically.

11. 11. Sergeant-at-Arms.Sergeant-at-Arms. The senior officer of the House responsible for security The senior officer of the House responsible for security and the maintenance of the Parliament Buildings. and the maintenance of the Parliament Buildings.

12. Bar12. Bar (of the House). A brass barrier inside the south entrance of the (of the House). A brass barrier inside the south entrance of the Chamber marking off the area where non-Members may be admitted. It is here Chamber marking off the area where non-Members may be admitted. It is here that witnesses must appear when formally summoned. that witnesses must appear when formally summoned.

13. Interpreters.13. Interpreters. Interpreters seated in glassed-in booths at the south end of Interpreters seated in glassed-in booths at the south end of the Chamber provide simultaneous interpretation of the proceedings into the Chamber provide simultaneous interpretation of the proceedings into English and French for Members and the public. English and French for Members and the public.

14. Press Gallery.14. Press Gallery. A gallery in the House of Commons reserved for accredited A gallery in the House of Commons reserved for accredited members of the media. Members of the media accredited to cover the members of the media. Members of the media accredited to cover the proceedings of Parliament and so granted access to the gallery reserved for proceedings of Parliament and so granted access to the gallery reserved for them. them.

15. Galleries.15. Galleries. Areas in the House set aside for the public, the press and Areas in the House set aside for the public, the press and distinguished visitors who wish to attend a sitting. distinguished visitors who wish to attend a sitting.

T.V. Camera.T.V. Camera. Remote-controlled cameras in the Chamber capture democracy Remote-controlled cameras in the Chamber capture democracy in action. in action.

3. Who’s Who – The SenateIs comprised of 105 members (48 from

Que & Ont)Appointed by Governor General upon

selection by the Prime MinisterMust retire by age 75Least important role in passing a bill

into law – final check on decisionsHas power to veto any bill in

parliament but rarely does soMostly an advisory body“[The Senate] has two functions. One is to give an opinion on certain bills

being suggested by the House. The other is to say “yes” or “yes” as to whether the bill should be allowed to pass.” (Ben Wicks, So you want to be Prime Minister?)

3. Who’s Who – The Senate

Controversy About the Senate

Lack of Specific QualificationsThere aren’t any! Many are ex. Ministers,

lawyers, etc.

PatronageUndemocratic due to being appointed not

electedPM fills senate seats with supporters of

his/her party who may/may not be qualified (patronage)

Representation by PopulationMost based in central Canada (48 of 105 –

46%)

Proposed Solution to Improve Senate

Triple E SenateEQUAL

Equal provincial representationNo voting on party lines

ELECTEDCitizens elect senators for 6 year terms

EFFECTIVEAble to defeat bills from the House of Commons

The Lawmaking Process

- Bill is Introduced (agreed upon by Cabinet and PM)

HOUSE OF COMMONSFirst Reading (bill is introduced, no discussion)Second Reading---------- > Committee (debate, committee examines)Third Reading < -------------------- (vote)

SENATEFirst ReadingSecond Reading---------- > CommitteeThird Reading< ---------------------(some amendments, often passed automatically)

GOVERNOR GENERALRoyal Assent

A Closer Look:“How a Bill Becomes a Law”

A piece of proposed legislation is called a billAny MP can present a bill

A bill goes through the necessary stages to become law

Ideas for a bill usually originate from the cabinet (Executive Branch)

Legislation involving the spending of government funds, must be introduced in the House of Commons

A Closer Look Continued…

- Complete the handout “How a Bill Becomes a Law” using your Counter Points text