Transcript Slide 1

CANADA’S
GOVERNMENT
In a Flash !
CANADA’S GOVERNMENT
What are the Origins of
the Term Democracy?


Many Canadians assume that our nation’s
democratic history started in 1867 with
Confederation.
Canadian democracy began long before that,
in places like Ancient Athens 2,500 years ago,
and in Aboriginal talking circles throughout
North America long before Europeans settled
the land.
What are the Origins of
the Term Democracy?

Democracy comes from the Greek word
demos, “people,” and kratos, “power” or
“rule.”

Means = “rule by the people.”
What are the Origins of
the Term Democracy?


Ancient Greeks who voted as a means of
making decisions on elements affecting
society.
This was known as a direct democracy.
Representative Democracy


In our society, citizens partake in
representative democracy.
This is where elected representatives make
decisions on our behalf.
Elements of a Democratic
System
The elements of a democratic system are:



People rule themselves through their
representative.
Government and citizens come under the rule of a
constitution.
Human rights (civil rights) are enshrined
(protected) in the constitution.
Elements of a Democratic
System
The elements of a democratic system are
(continued):


Regularly scheduled, multi-party (bi-partisan)
elections are held.
Universal suffrage (18 years in Canada).
Elements of a Democratic
System

The elements of a democratic system are
(continued):


The judicial (courts) and the political (parliament)
roles of government are separated.
Has several levels of government = a federal union
(municipal, provincial/territorial, federal).
What does democracy
mean to you?
Why do we have
government?
No large-scale society
can operate without
clear-cuts rules.
The Constitution:
The Supreme Law of Canada

The Constitution, 1867 (previously the BNA
Act = British North America Act) is the
authority that exists to which citizens and
governments can appeal in order to settle
disagreements in a peaceful and legitimate
way.
The Constitution:
The Supreme Law of Canada


It is the "Supreme Law in Canada“ = the
fundamental laws of the state.
It outlines how our system of government
operates = it lists the powers held by the
government and the rights and responsibilities
of individual citizens and cannot be violated.
The Constitution:
The Supreme Law of Canada

Citizens are protected by the portion of the
Constitution called the Canadian Charter of
Rights and Freedoms (1982).
The Constitution:
Three Main Parts


1) A description of the powers of the
provincial legislatures and Parliament, as well
as their parts and authority.
2) A Charter of Rights and Freedoms that
outlines the basic rights and responsibilities
that all Canadians possess.
The Constitution:
Three Main Parts

3) An amending formula, which sets out ways
in which the Constitution may be changed or
altered.

The amending formula requires that the federal
government and seven of the ten provinces much
agree on the proposed amendment (change). The
seven provinces much make up at least ½ of the
total population of Canada.
Canada:
A Constitutional Monarchy


Has a Constitution and a British sovereign
(monarch = king or queen).
We choose to recognize the British monarch
(currently Queen Elizabeth II) as our formal
head of state though we have our own
constitution (set of laws).
Canada:
A Constitutional Monarchy


The monarch is subject to the laws of our
constitution – does not have real power.
The monarch is SYMBOLIC = represents our
historic relationship with GB + the monarch
would never interfere in Canadian affairs.
Who is our current Queen?



Queen Elizabeth II (Elizabeth
Alexandra Mary, born 21 April
1926) is the constitutional
monarch of sixteen independent
sovereign states known as the
Commonwealth.
60-year reign = currently the
second-longest for a British
monarch (#1 = Queen Victoria
with a 63 year reign).
In 1947, she married Prince
Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, with
whom she has four children:
Charles, Anne, Andrew, and
Edward.
Canada's Governor
General

In Canada, the monarch is represented by
the Governor General (GG).

The GG is recommended by the Prime Minister
(PM), and appointed by the Queen/King.
Canada's Governor
General



She/he “governs” for a term of approximately 5
years.
Although the GG announces government decisions
and gives the final assent to legislation passed by
government, she/he acts almost entirely on the
advice of the Cabinet Ministers in the House of
Commons.
The GG has little actual power although she/he is
our head of state representative.
Governor General
(continued)

Mostly performs ceremonial functions such as greeting
foreign dignitaries, opening Parliament sessions, reading
the speech from the throne at the beginning of
Parliament sessions, presenting medals and awards and
presides over the swearing-in of the Prime Minister,
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and Cabinet
Ministers.
Who is our current Governor General?
David Johnston is our GG!!



David Lloyd Johnston (born
June 28, 1941) is a Canadian
academic, author and
statesman who is the current
Governor General of Canada.
In September 2010 Johnston
succeeded Michaëlle Jean as
the Queen’s representative.
At the time, Harper said of
Johnston that he represents
"the best of Canada."
What is the
constitution?
What is a
constitutional
monarchy?
Canada’s Style of
Government


The style of government that Canada (and the
USA) has is called a federal union.
In a federal union the government is divided
into three levels:
 Federal government (Ottawa), provincial
government (provinces), and municipal (city)
government.
Canada’s Style of
Government

This system was formed to recognize the need
for all Canadians to work together and for each
province and city to maintain local autonomy.
Federal Powers
-Defence
-Regulation of trade and
commerce
-Citizenship
-Taxation
-Currency and Coins
-Native peoples and
Native reserves
-Postal Service
-Patents and Copyright
-Marriage and Divorce
-Navigation and shipping
-Fisheries
-Criminal Law and
federal penitentiaries
Provincial
Powers
-Education
-Hospitals and charities
-Licences (e.g., driving
and fishing)
-Private property and
Civil Law
-Direct taxation (e.g.,
income tax and sales
tax)
-Management of natural
resources (e.g., forests
and electrical energy
-Local public works (e.g.
roads and canals)
-Courts
Municipal
Powers
-Water
and sewer
service
-Public transit
-Fire and police
protection and
ambulance service
-Licensing and
inspection (e.g., houses)
-Street lights,
sidewalks, and local
roads
-Public health services
-local roads
-garbage collection
-matters of purely local
concern = i.e. by-laws
Which level of government has
jurisdiction over Aboriginal affairs?
Which level of government has jurisdiction over currency?
Which level of government has
over sewer and water
services?
Which level of government has jurisdiction over education?

Which level of government is responsible for by-laws (e.g..
parking, zoning, and retail business licensing)?

Which level of government is responsible for hospital and
health services?

Which level of government is responsible the postal service?
Shared Responsibilities


The federal and provincial governments of
Canada share some of the responsibilities
over services.
The following services are shared:



Agriculture (farming)
Pension plans
Environmental protection
Parliamentary
Government

Parliament is the highest branch of
government that can make laws in Canada.


Also controls the purse strings/$$$ = proposes the
budget.
It consists of the Crown (monarch/GG), the
House of Commons (elected officials) and the
Senate (people chosen by the PM and then
appointed by the GG).
Parliamentary
Government


The Prime Minister (PM) and the Cabinet
(majority party members selected by the PM)
are the top executives in the government, and
they are almost always members of
Parliament.
Although the PM is the leader of the
government, she/he is still responsible to
Parliament.
The Three Branches of Our
Federal Government
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
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH = Has the power
to make and amend laws (House of
Commons, Senate).
EXECUTIVE BRANCH = Has the power
to administer and carry out laws (PM,
Cabinet).
JUDICIAL BRANCH = Has the power to
decide who has broken the law and to set
penalties (courts: provincial + federal).
First Branch:
The Executive Branch


The function of the executive
branch (the first branch of
Canada’s government) is to make
and apply government
decisions.
Has the power to administer
and carry out laws.
First Branch:
The Executive Branch

At the federal level, the
executive branch consists of
the Governor General, the
Prime Minister, and the
Cabinet.
The Role of the Prime Minister


The PM is the head of the
Canadian government and the
leader of Cabinet.
She/he is elected by the people
(through party representatives)
and is the leader of the party
with the most elected
representatives in the House of
Commons.
Who is our
current PM?
The Role of the Prime Minister

Although the PM has the
authority to unilaterally decide
on government policy, she/he is
dependant on the support of
her/his party.

If the PM loses support of the
majority of parliament members,
she/he may end up losing office
through a vote of nonconfidence.
Who is our
current PM?
Duties of the Prime Minister

Our PM is currently
Stephen Harper.
Duties of the Prime Minister

PM Duties:
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Voice of the nation (international + national).
Develop foreign trade and foreign policies.
Recommends new Judges and Senators.
Spokesperson for her/his party and led caucus (a groups of
government members from the same political party).
Selects Members of Parliament (MP) for Cabinet
Advises the GG when to dissolve Parliament so an election can be
called.
Appoints over 21,000 government officials (patronage
appointments = award important positions to loyal party members
who will remain supportive).
Stephen Harper



Stephen Joseph Harper
(born April 30, 1959) is
the 22nd and current
Prime Minister of
Canada, and leader of
the Conservative Party.
Harper became Prime
Minister after his party
won a minority
government in the 2006
federal election.
As of May 2011 he
holds a majority
government.
Stephen Harper


He is the first Prime Minister from the newly
reconstituted Conservative Party, following a
merger of the Progressive Conservative and
the Canadian Alliance parties.
Harper has been the Member of Parliament
(MP) for the riding of Calgary Southwest in
Alberta since 2002. Earlier, from 1993 to
1997, he was the MP for Calgary West.
The PMO


The PM’s own department is known as the
Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
Is made up of 60 to 75 intensely loyal
employees who work to maintain the PM’s
popularity with the public, the media,
Parliament, and the party as a whole.
A little musical interlude
courtesy of our PM

http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTV
News/20101208/harper-piano-tories101208/20101208?hub=BritishColumbiaHome
Dec. 8, 2010
The Cabinet


Cabinet Ministers (ministers of the Crown
that form the government of Canada) are
selected by the PM from among the majority
party members in the House of Commons.
Traditionally, the PM works to ensure that
each province is represented by a least one
minister.
The Cabinet

There are approximately 30 members of
Cabinet with no set term – remain in office
until Parliament’s term expires, the PM
removes them or the government is defeated.
How are Cabinet
Ministers Chosen?

They are selected from the pool of
government MP’s (Members of Parliament).
How are Cabinet
Ministers Chosen?
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The PM must ensure that:
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The most experienced MPs are included.
Each province is represented.
A linguistic balance is maintained—2/3’s Anglophone,
1/3 francophone.
Women are included and, where possible, members of
different ethnic/cultural groups.
Ontario and Quebec are represented by 10 or 12
ministers.
Conservative Cabinet 2011/12
The Cabinet’s Duties


As a group, Cabinet Ministers decide on
government policy (e.g. raising taxes, going to
war etc.).
They are responsible for initiating and
guiding most legislation (laws) through the
House of Commons.
The Cabinet’s Duties

Expected to show full support of the PM and
Cabinet decisions = tow the party line or
resign.

Called cabinet solidarity.

Solidarity = to stand together no matter what.
The Cabinet: Portfolios

Cabinet Ministers are given a
particular department (or
“portfolio”) to administer (e.g.
department of the environment,
finance or health).
Peter Mackay Defence
The Cabinet: Portfolios

To help Ministers with this task
the Cabinet Minister chooses a
Deputy Minister for their
portfolio.

Are civil servants employed by the
government to help run a specific
department and report to their
respective Cabinet Minister – have
informal power.
Peter Kent Environment
The Backbenchers

Backbenchers are members of the governing
party that are not in the Cabinet.


Sit “behind” the Cabinet Ministers in Parliament.
Role is to support their party while also
keeping in mind the wishes of the voting
public.

May vote against their own leader if they
disagree with a government proposal
The Party Whips

Party whips are elected to discipline
members who speak out against the party.
The Shadow Cabinet


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The Shadow Cabinet sits opposite the
Cabinet.
Term for MPs from the Official Opposition
who have been chosen to shadow a specific
minister from the Cabinet.
Serve as critics for the current government.
An Independent

If a MP does not belong to a political party
she/he is called an “independent.”
Official Party Status


A party must have a minimum of 12 seats in
the House of Commons to have official party
status.
This allows the party to receive funding for
government work as well as to participate in
debates in the House.
What does the
Executive Branch of
Government consist of?
At the federal level, the executive branch
consists of the Governor General, the
Prime Minister, and the Cabinet.
RMR – Canada Explained

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yi1yhp_x7A
Feb 3, 2009
Second Branch:
The Legislative Branch

The Legislative Branch (the second branch of
the Canadian government) is also called
Parliament (or the Legislature at the
provincial level).
Second Branch:
The Legislative Branch


Its function is to debate, make and amend
laws.
Its structure includes the House of Commons
and the Senate.
The House of Commons



Aka the Green Room = “a rectangular room
divided by a central aisle.”
Were government happens (debate, make +
amend laws).
Members of the House of Commons (MPs) are
elected by Canadian citizens for up to a 5 year
term.
The House of Commons



Each member represents a riding = an electoral
district of roughly 100,000 people.
There are currently 308 MPs in Canada.
MPs spend most of their time debating
legislation (bills that may or may not become
law).
How do MP’s Vote?


Each political party having
elected representatives
holds private meetings
called a caucus/caucus
meeting.
Each party leader outlines
the programs, policies
and actions that the party
is going to take.
How do MP’s Vote?

Heated arguments arise,
but in the end tradition
holds that all MPs are
expected to vote in
favour of the party’s
position in the House of
Commons known as cabinet
solidarity.
Speaker of the House


Elected by MPs from their own members (from
ruling government).
Responsible for running the day to day
business in the House of Commons:

Maintains order (“Order in the House!!!”), applies the
rules of Parliament to all, and acts as a “referee” of
sorts = controls debate.
Speaker of the House

The Sergeant-at-Arms works for the Speaker
and carried out 2 duties:


1) ceremonial activities (carrying the Mace – symbol
of legislative authority)
2) taking responsibility for security of the House.
The Government



The Government =
The party that holds the greatest number of
seats in the House/Parliament becomes
government.
The leader of that party is the Prime
Minister.
The Government


Parliament sits/is in session between
September and June of every year with
breaks throughout to allow MPs to work in
their ridings.
When Parliament is in session, the Members
of the House of Commons know their place.
The Opposition


The Opposition is the second
largest elected party (2nd party
with the most seats in the House)
and its leader becomes the
Leader of the Opposition.
It is the duty of the Opposition to
criticize government – they sit
facing the government.
Who is the
leader of
the Official
Opposition?
The Opposition

The Opposition plays a very
important role in keeping
government accountable,
especially during question period =
a time when the Opposition
members can questions the
government’s actions and raise
issues of concern.
Who is the
leader of
the Official
Opposition?
Thomas Mulcair

Thomas Joseph "Tom"
Mulcair (born October 24,
1954) is the Leader of the
Official Opposition.
Thomas Mulcair


A lawyer, university
professor, politician, and an
NDP Member of Parliament
for the electoral district of
Outremont in Quebec since
2007.
Was selected as the leader of
the New Democratic Party in
March 2012, thus the Leader
of the Official Opposition.
The Senate
“The Upper House”


Primary function of the Senate is to review
bills passed by the House of Commons = serves
as a final “check” on the decisions made by
the House.
The Senate has 105 seats = 105 Senators +
can only serve up to the age 75.
The Senate
“The Upper House”

Has the power to suggest amendments and/or
send the bill (proposed laws) back to the
House = ultimately no bill can become law
unless the Senate passes it.

The Senate rarely rejects a bill passed by the
House of Commons – any changes usually involve
clarification.
The Senate Controversy

There are several reasons why some
Canadians and government officials think that
there is no need for the Senate, that it is a
waste of money, therefore, we should get
rid of it = yet Senate reform is slow or nonexistent.
The Senate Controversy

Issues:

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Lack of specific
qualifications.
Patronage (rewards).
Representation by
population.

Solution:

Make into a Triple-E
Senate = Elected,
Equal (no voting on
party lines) and
Effective (lacks the
ability to so much of
anything).
How a Bill Becomes Law
In order for a bill to become
law it must go through the
following main stages:
First Reading
Second Reading
Committee Stage/ Report
Stage
Third Reading
How a Bill Becomes Law
It then goes to the Senate and
follows a similar process.
Finally, it goes to the Governor
General, who then signs the bill
for Royal Assent.
What does the
Legislative Branch of
Government consist of?
Consists of the Canadian monarch represented by her Governor General the Senate, and the House of Commons,
each element having its own officers and
organization.
Third Branch:
The Judicial Branch

Third branch of
government = the
legal/court system
(provincial courts +
Supreme Court of
Canada).

Has the power to decide
who has broken the law and
to set penalties (courts).
Third Branch:
The Judicial Branch


Independent of the
Executive and of
Parliament.
Interprets and make
judgements on laws that
might be contrary to the
Constitution and the
Charter.
The Judicial Branch

Inherited from the
common law system in
England = basis for the
constitutional, criminal
and civil law in all the
provinces and territories
except Quebec (based on
French heritage).
The Judicial Branch

All courts are provincial,
with the exception of the
Supreme Court of
Canada.
The Supreme Court
of Canada


The highest court in the country = created
in 1875.
Final court of appeal:

Means after cases are appealed at both the
provincial and federal levels, the last place they
can be appealed is in the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court
of Canada


Consists of 9 judges (3 of whom must come
from Quebec) including the Chief Justice
(the chief/head honcho judge).
Judges are chosen by the GG on the advice
of the federal Cabinet.
The Supreme Court
of Canada

The Supreme Court plays a major role in
ruling on human rights, especially since the
Charter was added to the Constitution in
1982.
The Provincial Court

Although the provinces have some
differences, most have the following types of
courts:
Provincial Court
 Supreme Court
 Court of Appeal
 Trial Division
 Small Claims Court

What does the Judicial
Branch of Government
consist of?
Consists of the Provincial Courts and the
Supreme Court of Canada.
Provincial Government


Parliament at the provincial level
is based on the House of
Commons, but usually called the
Legislature or the Legislative
Assembly.
There is no equivalent to the
Senate.
Provincial Government

When a bill is passed in the
Legislature it goes directly to
the Lieutenant-Governor.

The Queen’s representative on the
provincial level.
Municipal Government


Local/City government = level of government
that most affects people’s daily lives.
An elected mayor is the head of a municipal
council made up of elected representatives
called aldermen or councillors.
Municipal Government


The function of a town/city council is to
develop policies and then pass by-laws as
needed.
By-laws (laws of the municipality) are passed
much through the same procedure as
provincial and federal legislation (i.e.
committee stage, then three readings).
Aboriginal
Government


Many Aboriginal communities govern
themselves though a special form of local
government (self government).
These communities are called band councils
(or a group of elders) to provide for the needs
of their people.
Aboriginal
Government

The leader of the band council is a chief (a
position similar to a mayor) and she/he is
responsible to the people.
Aboriginal
Government


Aboriginal chiefs are important ceremonial leaders
as well as government leaders.
They spend more time dealing with federal
ministers than local leaders usually do, as they are
often in ongoing negotiations over such issues as
licences, education and access to highways that
cross band lands.
Types of Government


Majority = a political
party that wins more
than half the seats in
the House of Commons.
Minority = a political
party that wins more
seats than any other
party, but not more
than all the parties
added together.

Coalition = no
political party
has a majority of
the seats, but
two or more
parties join
together to form
a government.
What are the Forms of
Government in
Canada?
Consists of Federal, Provincial, Municipal +
Aboriginal Governments.
The First-Past-ThePost System


You have to be 18 years of age to vote in
government elections.
First-past-the-post (abbreviated FPTP or
FPP) voting refers to an election won by the
candidate(s) with the most votes.
The First-Past-ThePost System


The winning candidate does not necessarily
receive an absolute majority of all votes
cast.
The name is somewhat misleading, as there is
no 'post' (proportion of votes) that must be
passed.
Example

Candidate Vote:

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Candidate A: 25
Candidate B: 22
Candidate C: 21
Candidate D: 18
Candidate E: 14
Under a first-past-the-post voting system the
highest polling candidate(s) are elected.
Candidate A has 25 votes, which is a greater number
than the other candidates, and so is the winner.
What is the First-PastThe-Post System?
The Canadian Political
Spectrum

In general political parties are placed on a
political spectrum and are considered to be
left wing, centrist, or right wing.
The Canadian Political
Spectrum


Left Wing =
Progressive - new solutions to old problems, support
change, government should provide social services,
involved in the economy, criminal rehabilitated.
The Canadian Political
Spectrum


Centrist Moderate =
Tradition and change - will apply new solutions to
some old issues, government should play a role only
when it improves the lives of citizens, individual
rights be protected.
The Canadian Political
Spectrum


Right Wing =
Tradition and status quo - “turning back the clock”
when problem solving, government should play a limited
role in the economy, support business and free
enterprise, budget should be balanced even if it means
cuts to healthcare and education, law and order high
priority , harsh penalties for criminals.
The Canadian Political
Spectrum
 Which part of the political
spectrum do you align with more
closely?
Where do our political
parties fit?

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

NDP
 Left wing

Liberals
 Left of Centre

Conservatives
 Right wing
Bloc Quebecois
 Left wing

Green Party
 Left wing
Communist Party
 Extremely left
wing
Marijuana Party
 Left wing
Interest Groups
and Lobbying


Interest Groups = form when group who
share ideas realize that they have a common
goal and that they can impact government
decisions.
They influence public opinion via media,
public meetings and protests.
Interest Groups
and Lobbying

Lobbyists = interest groups send
representatives (lobbyists) to meetings with
Cabinet Ministers and/or parliamentary
committees – they persuade.
What are some interest
groups/lobbyist in
Canada?
Financial Institutions,
environment organizations, oil
companies, human rights groups,
equality groups, ethnic interest
groups, religions, etc.
Ah, Canada’s
Governments
in a nutshell
Fin!