Canada’s GovernmentCanada’s Government

Rick Mercer: Everything You wanted to know about Canada (but were afraid to

ask)& Discussion

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5EEkLOfnqc&feature=related

Canada Government System?Canada Government System?

Constitutional MonarchyConstitutional Monarchy - A form of government - A form of government in which the monarch is limited by a constitution.in which the monarch is limited by a constitution.

DemocracyDemocracy – Government is chosen by the – Government is chosen by the people, for the people and is removed by the people, for the people and is removed by the people.people.

Canada = Constitutional Monarchy + DemocracyCanada = Constitutional Monarchy + Democracy

The Role of the CrownThe Role of the CrownThe Monarch is the ultimate authority in Canada The Monarch is the ultimate authority in Canada “The Queen reigns but she does not rule.”“The Queen reigns but she does not rule.”

The Governor General represents The Governor General represents the Queen and acts as a figureheadthe Queen and acts as a figurehead

Does not interfere in the political process; Does not interfere in the political process;

she approves bills providing Royal Assent,she approves bills providing Royal Assent,

dissolves Parliament to start an election and dissolves Parliament to start an election and reads the government’s Throne Speech andreads the government’s Throne Speech and

Michaëlle Jean

Rep vs. Direct DemocracyRep vs. Direct Democracy

•Traditionally places used direct democracy where everyone voted on everything.

•In Canada we use representative democracy where we elect people to make decisions for us.

Representative Democracy

-308 federal ridings in Canada

-Each riding has 100,000 people

-Each riding elects 1 representative called a Member of Parliament (MP)

CON LIB BQ NPD IND. Vacant Total

Alberta 28           28

British Columbia 18 6   10 1 1 36

Prince Edward Island   4         4

Manitoba 8 3   3     14

New Brunswick 3 6   1     10

Nova Scotia 2 6   2 1   11

Ontario 40 51   12 1 2 106

Quebec 11 11 49 1 2 1 75

Saskatchewan 12 1       1 14

Newfoundland and Labrador

3 4         7

Nunavut   1         1

Northwest Territories

      1     1

Yukon   1         1

National Total125 94 49 30 5 5 308

Current Parliament Representatives

House of Commons

House of Commons

Question PeriodEach day the House of Commons sits, an opportunity is provided for the opposition to direct questions to the government.

The Speaker oversees question period to ensure the rules are followed.

All questions and other debates in the house are recorded and printed in Hansard (a word-for-word transcript of what is said)

You Tube Clip on:

Afghanistan Detainee Issue -Afghan Taliban prisoner rights had been disregarded-They had been transferred to Afghan ran prisons were

torture was occurring-Prisoner transfers were continuing, even though the

Canadian government knew, -breaking the Geneva Convention (treatment of

prisoners)

PARLIAMENTExecutive Branch-Implements Laws-GG, PM, Cabinet, Public Service

Legislative Branch-Proposes and makes laws-GG, H of C and Senate

Judiciary Branch-Interprets and applies law-Separate from other two branches-Sup. Court of Canada,Federal and Provincial Courts

Branches of Government Exercise

•Split into groups of 3

Red- Judiciary (Pg. 227,274-5,277-280)Blue- Legislative (Pg. 227-231)Yellow- Executive (Pg. 234-236)

•Please summarize the information -Focus on your branch's broad role and branch’s

components (ie PM, Cabinet, Supreme Court)-Summarize in your own words please!!!!!

Collaborative Note Making Exercise

- Form groups with the other Branch researchers.

- Talk about your branch for the 1st minute - Then 2-3 minutes to copy the notes

- 1st Executive- 2nd Judicial - 3rd Legislative

Summary

So…Elections are held to select a candidate from their riding (or constituency) These elected members make the House of CommonsFrom the House of Commons, the leader of the party with the most representatives is asked to be the Prime Minister by the Gov. GeneralThe Prime Minister chooses members of the Cabinet from the House of Commons

How Parliament Works

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aealt-etGVs&feature=channel

Canada: The Federal StateCanada: The Federal State

•Three levels of government: -Federal -Provincial/Territorial -Municipal

•The Canadian Constitution: Outlines the responsibilities of each level of government.

•Anything not yet discovered outlined by the Constitution becomes the responsibility of the federal government (Residual Powers)

We will study these 3 levelsof gov’t later

References Carrie Schlappner, 2009

Allie Bach, 2009