Transcript UNIT 3 - St. James-Assiniboia School Division

Chapter 6 (pg.148-190)
Federalism, Government, and Politics
Federalism: The Canadian
Experience (pg.148)
• The system of
Federalism is divided
by the division of
powers between the
federal Parliament and
the nation’s several
provincial
governments.
Federalism: The Canadian
Experience
•Unitary government—a country with
only one government, a central
administration
•Federal - a country in which separate
and distinct national and provincial
governments exist
Federalism: The Canadian
Experience
• The core of the BNA Act (1867) was to establish a
strong national government that would legislate on
behalf of all Canadians
• The organization of Canada’s government is based
upon American and British models
• From the British model, Canada adopted the idea
of a Constitutional Monarchy – Canada would be
governed by a monarch and elected
representatives
Federalism: The Canadian
Experience
• Also, there would be one Parliament made
up of a Monarch, the Senate and the House
of Commons each serving a different
function in government
• The idea of responsible government was
also implemented after 1848 – government
was to be democratic made up of a Prime
Minister, a cabinet and political parties
Federalism: The Canadian
Experience
• The political party not elected would make up the
official opposition and their role was to hole the
ruling party accountable
• American influences came in the form of a federal
system – national government, provincial
governments, and municipal governments
• Learning from the American experience,
Macdonald ensured the national government was
more powerful that the provincial administrations
Federalism: The Canadian
Experience
• According to the Federal System, powers were to
be divided between the different levels of
government
• At the federal level, government was thought to be
for building and shaping the nation
Ex. Law and order, defense, create a climate for
people to work and make money, help finance
public works and to allow the nation to prosper
Federalism: The Canadian
Experience
• Section 91 of the BNA Act listed 28 specific
federal powers
Ex. Post Office, banks, defense, trade, criminal
law, taxation, pass laws for any subject not
specifically giver to the provinces in section 92
• Section 92 gave the provinces 16 provincial
powers
Ex. Education, medical, property rights, taverns,
justice and civil rights
Levels of Government
•
•
•
•
Federal
Provincial
Territorial
Municipal
Federal Government
• At the federal level, the government
consists of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Ministers.
• The PM and the cabinet are always
members of the same political party, usually
the one with the most members of the H of
C (House of Commons), unless a Minority
Government is currently in power.
Federal Government
• In the parliamentary system at the federal level,
the government is part of the institution
called____________.
• Parliament consists of:
• The Governor General (represents the Queen)
• Two houses (upper and lower)
• Senate (upper house)
• House of Commons (lower house)
What power did the “peace, order and good
government” clause give to the federal
government?
• Residual Power: refers to the fact
that the federal government can make
laws about any issue that is not
specifically given to the provinces
(Section 92).
House of Commons and The
Senate
• H of C consists of all MP’S who are elected
while the Senate is made up of Senators
appointed by the Prime Minister.
• Parliament’s Responsibilities (Federal):
• Citizenship, foreign policy, national
defence, currency, banking, and the postal
service.
Provincial Government
• Consists of the Premier and cabinet ministers.
• The Premier and ministers are almost always from
the same political party, the one with the most
elected members in the Legislative Assembly.
• The Premier and all other elected members make
up the LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY.
• These people are called Members of the
Legislative assembly or MLA’S.
Provinces Responsibilities
• Provinces Responsibilities (defined in the
Constitution Act, 1867:
• Health, child welfare, municipal
government, highways, labour, property
and civil rights, and education.
Provincial Discontent
(page 159)
• They were limited by lack of money.
Grants from the federal government
were not very generous.
• The only way they could raise revenue
was through taxation of property,
which, as now, was very unpopular.
• Provincial governments hesitated to
raise money in this way.
More Tensions
• The federal government could veto any
legislation within a year of passage if they
felt that it was contrary to federal interests.
• The federal government had the right to
take action to protect Catholic or Protestant
schools, even though education is a
provincial field.
• Catholics were a minority in Ontario and
Protestants were a minority in Quebec.
Legislative Assembly of Manitoba
• The legislative arm of
the Government of
Manitoba. consists of
the
57
Members
elected to represent the
people of Manitoba
Territorial
• The official head of a territorial government
is the federally appointed Commissioner.
• Over the years the commissioner has
become like our Lt. Governor General.
• The Commissioner gives final approval to
legislation passed by elected members, but
leaves the major decisions up to the elected
members.
Territorial Vs. Provincial
• Territorial differs from Provincial governments.
• For example, the leader of the cabinet is called the
Government Leader, although the job is similar
to that of the Premier.
• In the NWT, all candidates run as independents.
• Elections are not won by parties, but are elected
by the Legislative Assembly for the Government
Leader position.
• Territories Responsibilities: Similar to that of the
provincial government.
Municipal Government
• Made up of citizens of counties, towns, and
cities elect representatives to be responsible
for municipal or local government.
• Elected representatives of counties, such as
improvement districts, are called REEVES
(the heads) and councilors.
• People elected to run towns and cities are
called MAYORS.
Municipal Governments….
• Each Provincial Legislature decides what local
governments are responsible for.
• Municipal Responsibilities:
• Local fire and police services, libraries,
transportation within the municipality or county,
local health issues, pest control, etc.
• Note: These governments may pass laws
governing these areas, which are called Bylaws.