Canada’s Federal Government Chapter 1 Part 1 Introduction

Why government? The government is the body with power to make decisions for a society. All societies have some form of government. They have some way to establish and enforce rules.

Why government? Without government, society would be in a state of anarchy (disorder, chaos). Government establishes order. Government provides services to those whom they govern. Canadians live in a democracy. In democracies citizens determine who governs, and citizens have a high degree of participation and influence in how their society is run.

Let’s begin exploring this question by reading the following: Chapter One: How effectively does Canada’s federal political system govern Canada for all Canadians? Let’s begin exploring this question by reading the following: page 16 of our textbook, Issues for Canadians the comic on page 21

Take a Guess?? How long has Canada had its own constitution?

Canada’s Constitution (1982) The Canadian Constitution is the ‘rule book’ for how our nation is governed: The structure of our government The Charter of Rights and Freedoms Separation of powers amongst the federal and provincial/territorial governments Ways to amend the constitution From 1867-1982, the British North America Act was our ‘rule book.’ This was a British law and could only be amended through British government.

Canada’s Constitution (1982) The Constitution Act 0f 1982 released our constitution from British law, and included various amendments, notably the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Born into this position Chosen by the Prime Minister and the Monarch The people elect a candidate into this position.