Transcript Culture & Politics
Culture & Politics
Politics is the way in which we organize ourselves so that the members of our society can live together in peace and security.
What is a democracy?
Democracy is government by the people. Canada is a democracy.
Governments In Canada
In Canada we have three levels of government.
Federal Government based in Ottawa deals with concerns of nation as a whole.
Provincial/Territorial regional concerns.
Governments deals with Municipal Governments look after local matters for towns and cities.
Duties of Federal Government
Defense International trade Natural Resources Creating and change Laws Foreign Affairs dealing with other countries) Police Force (R.C.M.P.) Banking Enforce B.N.A. Act (Canada’s Constitution) Collection of taxes
Duties of Provincial Governments
Education(schools & universities) Health Care(hospitals) Natural Resources Municipal Governments Policing Repairing of highways etc.
Collection of taxes
Duties of Municipal Governments
Snow clearing and road repairs Fire protection services Garbage collection Building permits Collection property taxes to pay for services Public Transit (Metrobus) Policing (Usually larger cities)
What is Representative Democracy?
It is a form of government in which individuals are chosen to represent a riding, constituency, or group.
The politicians who work at all levels of government represent the people who elected them to their positions.
In a Representative Democracy we pick people to speak on our behalf and make decisions for us.
What is a riding or constituency?
A riding is an area of the country, province, or town in which voters in each riding vote or elect one person to represent them at all levels of government. These ridings are based on population to an extent. Each MP,MHA/MLA is responsible for each riding.
Names given to elected representatives are as follows
Federally they are called Members of Parliament or MP’s Provincially they are called Members of the Legislative Assembly or MLA’s In Newfoundland Labrador they are called Members of House of Assembly or MHA’s People elected for towns or cities or towns or cites are called councillors.
Who are constituents?
Constituents the ridings.
are the people who live and vote in
Atlantic Canada
NFLD & Labrador has 7MP’s & 48 MHA’s P.E.I. has 4 MP’s & 27 MLA’s Nova Scotia has 11 MP’s & 52 MLA’s New Brunswick has 10 MP’s & 58 MLA’s
Total MP’s for Canada =308
Quebec 75 MP’s Ontario 106 MP’s Manitoba 14 MP’s Saskatchewan 14 MP’s Alberta 28 MP’s B.C. 36 MP’s Nunavat 1 MP Northwest Terr 1 MP Yukon MP’s 1MP
How does our system ensure politicians represent their constituents fairly?
Elections that are no later than 5 years previous election after To vote you must be 18 years of age or older Secret ballot refers to piece of paper on which you cast your vote
The Party System
What is a political party?
A political party is a group of individuals who have similar views on public issues.
What is the function of the party?
The function of the party is to give a stronger voice to people who hold those views.
The Election System
Parties elect candidates Candidates run in elections Party with most candidates elected forms government Elected members of each party form party caususes Governing leader become Premier/Prime Minister Leader appoints members to cabinet
Main Canadian Political Parties
Liberal party of Canada Conservative Party New Democratic Party Block Quebecois Green Party
Independent Candidates
Legally an independent candidate does not need to be a member of a political party to be a politician. In practice however, independent candidates rarely get elected because without belonging to a political party they will have very little political power.
Terms To know
Opposition – are members of parliament or provincial legislature who are not part of the government. Their sole purpose is to act as critics of the government. Bill – a bill is a new proposal for a law Act – an act is a bill that is voted on and becomes a law.
Caucus – members of each party meet to decide party policy. MP’s, MHA’s or MLA’s
When the elected members of a party meet (caucus) same way.
they they discuss various issues and argue for particular policies. When members of a party vote on an issue in parliament or provincial legislatures they tend to vote the
The Party Whip
One MP or MHA called the “party whip” lines or policies. is assigned the job of making sure all party members are present for votes and follow party Vote the Party Line or else!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Speaker of the House
The speaker of the house acts as a referee. The Speaker maintains order and enforces the rules of debate by applying and interpreting the practices and traditions of the House.
The Cabinet
When a government is elected, some of the elected representatives from the winning party are chosen by their leader to be in the Ministers decisions of cabinet most of the major government. . These people are called . They make Newfoundland Labrador Present Cabinet
Newfoundland Labrador’s Premier
The Premier is the leader of the party who has won the most seats in the provincial election. Premiers are the leaders of provinces. Danny William is the premier of Newfoundland Labrador.
Newfoundland Labrador present Cabinet Ministers
Minister of Finance Tom Marshall
Minister of Education
Darin King
Minister of Health and Community Services
Jerome Kennedy
Minister of Fisheries & Aquaculture
Clyde Jackman
Minister of Innovation Trade & Rural Development
Sean Skinner
Minister of Municipal Affairs
Dianne Whelan
Minister of Tourism, Culture & Recreation
Terry French
Minister of Justice
Felix French
Canada’s Prime Minister Steven Harper
The
Prime Minister
of Canada is the leader of the party that holds the most seats in the House of Commons. Their party elects more members than any other party. Canada’s current Prime Minister is
Steven Harper.
Some of Canada’s Federal Ministrys
Minister of Justice Minister of National Defence Minister of Public Safety Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Minister of the Environment Minister of Foreign Affairs
Other Departments
Minister of Industry Minister of Finance Minister of International Trade Minister of Natural Resources Minister of Health Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Minister of State (Transport) Minister of Labour Minister of Public Works and Government Services Minister of Agriculture and Agri-FoodMinister for the Canadian Wheat Board
Democracy In Action
What are some ways of exercising our political power, or making government listen to concerns?
Political Activists Media Lobbying Labour Unions & NGO’s non government agencies Judicial system
Who are Political Activists and what do they do?
Political activists are people who use direct action to draw attention to and promote a cause. They use direct action such as marches, distributing pamphlets, rallies and public speeches of hold large public meetings.
Examples of Political Activists
Lobbyists
A lobbyist is Someone who is employed to persuade legislators to vote for legislation (Laws)that favors the lobbyist's employer .
Lobbyists try to convince politicians to believe in their cause by supplying them with information.
Media
Lobbyists use the media as a means of communication, to get their message.
Radio Newspapers Televison Internet They use these tools to persuade people to think one way or another.
Labour Unions & Non Governmental Organizations
They use various methods including lobbying to represent the concerns of their members.
NTLA Nape Cupe Nurses Union Labour Unions
Judicial System
The court or judicial system gives people the power to challenge actions that threaten their rights. Ex: A Court can prevent a company from starting up and industrial plant if a law says an environmental assessment must be done first.
Judicial System
People can sue when they feel they have been wronged Companies can get court orders preventing people from blocking their factory or worksite.