Canadian Government

What is government?A body of people with the power to make decisions for society with intent to bring a sense of order and security.

Levels of Government

- Canada has a federal system (more than one level)

- three levels of government

Federal

Provincial

Municipal

Branches of GovernmentExecutive

Legislative

Judicial

- make laws

- interpret laws

- put laws into action

Crown

Legislative Branch Executive Branch Judicial Branch

Prime Minister

Cabinet

House of commons

House ofSenate

Governor General

Supreme CourtOf Canada

Federal Courts

Provincial Courts

What is a seat?

What is a constituency?

What is the title given to all representatives in parliament?

Where IS our parliament ?(What city)

If we were to elect people to parliament, what kind of an election would it be….municipal, provincial or federal?

What is parliament?

In what part of the parliament building would I find my seat if I was elected?

What is the name of the constituency in which you live?

Who is YOUR MP??

To what party does your MP belong?

What is a political party? Pg. 24 Text

http://kevinsgreenpartyblog.blogharbor.com/

Taking a closer look at the…. Executive Branch

CrownThe Queen of Great Britain is the symbolic head of the Canadian government

Her role is traditional only!!

She does not make decisions for Canada

Governor General- Appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister

- 5 year term

- Signs federal bills into laws

- Hosts important foreign visitors

- Is the Queen’s representative in her absence

Prime Minister & His Cabinet

- The real power lies with the PM and his cabinet

Prime Minister

- Head of Canada’s government

- To become PM you must:

- be elected as leader of your party

- be elected as a member of parliament

- your party must win the most seats in the house of commons

The Right Honorable

Stephen Harper

The Cabinet- Hand selected by the PM

- Approximately 30 people

- Are MP’s OR senators

- Responsible for various gov’t departments or ministries(portfolios – pg. 25 text)

- Are called cabinet ministers

- Attend cabinet meetings

http://pm.gc.ca/eng/cabinet.asp

The PM and his cabinet propose most of the ideas that become laws!!!* **

They run the day to day business of government ex. Minister of Environment and his staff keep track of air pollution

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