Federal Government: Legislative Branch Chapter 1 Part 3

The Legislative Branch (Canada’s parliament) The Legislative Branch is the part of government that makes laws. It includes the House of Commons, the Senate and the Governor General.

The Governor General The Governor General is the Queen’s representative in Canada. The Governor General usually serves five years. The Queen appoints the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. Role of the Governor General (besides representing the British Monarchy) ensure that Canada always has a Prime Minister. (For example, if no party had a clear majority after an election, or if the Prime Minister were to die in office, the Governor General would have to choose a successor.) https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadian-born-governor-general-1.4203970

The Governor General The Governor General acts on the advice of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The duties of the Governor General include the following: summoning, opening and ending sessions of Parliament reading the Speech from the Throne giving Royal Assent to bills signing state documents dissolving Parliament for an election.

The House of Commons

The House of Commons The major law-making body in Canada’s federal political system. The members of the House of Commons debate, study and vote on laws proposed for Canada. Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected by voters. MPs represent the voters of one riding, or district. MPs are usually members of a political party. The political party with the most MPs form the government, while the other parties form the opposition. Representation in the House of Commons is by population.

Who forms the government? Look at the chart from 28 of your textbook and answer the following questions:

Colour your chart in using the same colours as the one below Colour your chart in using the same colours as the one below. (pg 28 of textbook)

Who forms the government? Using the chart from pg 28 of your textbook and answer the following questions: Why are‘seats’ important in the House of Commons? Explain the difference between a majority government and a minority government. Do we have a majority or a minority government today?

Role of the Opposition The opposition keeps the government‘in check.’ During question period, the opposition question the PM and cabinet regarding government decisions. Shadow cabinet: a group of politicians who hold a political post with their party, but whose party is not in government (the opposition). Each cabinet minister has a corresponding shadow minister and the two will debate each other on their specific area. They create debate, act as watchdog and speak for the different views and perspectives of Canadians.

Members of Parliament Two main responsibilities: Represent their constituents Constituent: someone who lives in a riding and is represented by an elected official from that riding Create legislation

How are MPs elected? A candidate must win the most votes. They DO NOT need the majority of votes (50% or more). Popular vote: the total votes cast in an election as opposed to the total seats won in an election.

The chart and map on this page show the results of the 2006 federal election for Alberta. Compare the chart with the map. What if the votes had been counted by popular vote instead of by riding?

The Senate Role: To provide “sober second thought”—careful reconsideration—to all proposed legislation. Further study and debate on laws A bill cannot become law until both the House of Commons and the Senate passes it. Members are called senators

Senate Chamber

The Senate The PM appoints senators They can remain in office until age 75. PM usually appointed people who support the PM’s party As of 2015 the Canadian government is making the Senate a non-partisan body. Now senators will not be affiliated with a political party. The senate divides Canada into four regions: Western Provinces, Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes Each region is represented by 24 senators

The Senate Represent the interests and rights of Canada’s regions, especially minorities. Helps ensure that minorities still have a strong voice within Canada. The Senate can propose laws, but cannot propose laws which create or spend taxes. A bill must be passed by both the Senate and the House of Commons to become law. The Senate can reject laws from the House of Commons, although the Senate rarely uses this power.

The Senate Read pages 32-33 of your textbook and answer the following questions: Why might Canadians have different views and perspectives on the role of the Senate in Canada’s political system? What evidence can you find on this page? (pg. 32) How does the structure of the Senate represent Canadians in a different way than the House of Commons? How does this structure help the Senate act in the interests of regions and minority groups?