Government Structures help us live together Page 82-85 (Textbook)

Why do we have different levels of government? Canada is a huge country - approximately 10 million square kilometres To meet the needs of all regions in the country Canada has a multi-level system of government known as FEDERALISM Federalism – multi-level system of government. Each level has its own leader with specific powers and responsibilities, written in Canadian Constitution

Levels of government Level of Government Who it serves Leader Municipal Local Mayor Provincial or territorial Regional Premier Federal National Prime minister

Levels of government The federal government is national and is called the Government of Canada The 10 provincial and 3 territorial governments look after specific geographical regions Provinces have their own constitutional powers, separate from the federal government Territories are controlled (and granted some powers) by the federal government Municipalities are local city, town, and district governments First Nations have elected local governments called band councils, as defined by the Indian Act (Chief and elected counsellors)

Each level of government has its own responsibilities Municipal Provincial and Territorial Federal Animal control Emergency services Garbage and sewage Land-use planning Public transit Water Education Health Environment Property and civil rights Highway Aboriginal affairs Citizenship and immigration Fisheries Foreign affairs National defence Shipping and railways

Spending by all levels in 2009 Spending by all levels of government, by level (2009) $ (Billions) % Municipal level 74 12% Provincial level 316 50% Federal level 243 38% TOTAL 631 100%

Spending by all 3 governments $ billions % Social services (employment insurance) 190 30% Health 122 19% Education 96 15% Protection (police, prisons, military) 51 8% Interest charges on debt 44 7% Transportation and communication 32 5% Resource/industry development 20 3% Environment 17 Other 59 10% TOTAL 631 100%

In 2009, all 3 levels of government spent $631 billion. Approximately $19 000 per Canadian every year. Is that more or less than you would have thought?

Do we need so many levels of government? Would you call the prime minister if your garbage wasn’t picked up properly? Would you call your local mayor to decide whether or not the country should go to war? Separate levels of government make sense because there are local issues and national issues About 3 million Canadians are employed by all levels of government to provide services to Canadians Some people feel like the cost of multiple layers of government is too expensive, others feel it is necessary to keep Canada working and meeting diverse needs

Questions 1) Should we have 3 levels of government? In what ways might fewer levels of government cost more in the long run? 2) If government spending is an indication of political significance, do you agree with current spending priorities? What would you change and why?

3) What government services do you and your family enjoy, and what level of government provides them? What are they worth to you? LIST ALL SERVICES YOU USE:

Why do we need separate branches of government? Think of government like a family – parents and children have different jobs and responsibilities, same with government Federal and provincial governments are structured into 3 branches: the LEGISLATIVE BRANCH, the EXECUTIVE BRANCH, and the JUDICIAL BRANCH Each branch has a specific role to play

Distribution of power Legislature has the power to make laws Executive has the power to administer laws Judiciary has the power to apply laws

Legislative Branch Makes laws Elected members of the House of Commons Appointed members of the senate Represent citizens’ interest in government Debate and pass new laws Monitor government policies and actions

Executive Branch Administer laws Prime minister Cabinet ministers Ministries and civil servants Set government policy Initiate and draft new laws Administer, implement, and enforce laws and policies

Judicial branch Applies laws Judges and courts Interpret and apply laws through court cases and decisions Strike down law that are unconstitutional

Textbook – page 84 Copy out the diagram