Exploring Government Choices and Liberalism Chapter 13 Exploring Government Choices and Liberalism

To what extent should we embrace an ideology? Key Issue To what extent should we embrace an ideology?

To what extent are the values of liberalism viable? Related Issue To what extent are the values of liberalism viable?

Chapter Issue To what extent do democratic government practices reflect the values of liberalism?

Question for Inquiry #1 In what ways do the actions of Canada’s government reflect or go against liberal values?

In what ways can a democratic government enhance liberal values? Question for Inquiry #2 In what ways can a democratic government enhance liberal values?

Key Skill Evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of reasons and evidence in sources and in your own work.

Key Terms and Concepts Parliamentary Democracy Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms Constitution Act (1867 and 1982) Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms

Chapter Introductions Do you think random locker searches in schools are fair? Do you think they are legal?

Chapter Introductions In the context of liberalism do you think locker searches are justified?

Chapter Introductions Generally speaking, locker searches in schools have been upheld when there is reasonable justification to believe there is something illegal going on. The courts have not been as supportive of random searches without justification.

Liberal Democracy in Canada (Pg 338) Read the cartoon on page 338. What does this cartoon support or criticize? What is your opinion on the subject?

Liberal Democracy in Canada (Pg 338) Canada’s political system has been criticized for not being as democratic as it could be. What do you think are the criticisms of this system.

Liberal Democracy in Canada (Pg 338) Canada’s political system is based on The BNA Act (1867) and as such is set up as a constitutional monarchy There are a number of positions that are accountable to the Queen in our system of government.

Liberal Democracy in Canada (Pg 338) The positions of Govern General, lieutenant-governors, and the senate are sometime view as opposed to liberal values and many think we can do without.

The Governor General and the Lieutenant-Governors (Pg 339) The origins of these position date back to 1608. There were governors of British North America and New France

The Governor General and the Lieutenant-Governors (Pg 339) As Canada evolved so to did the roles of these positions The governor general carries out the duties of the Queen in her absence from Canada

The Governor General and the Lieutenant-Governors (Pg 339) Canada is both a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy This means we have an elected house of commons, an appointed senate and a representative to the queen (The governor general)

The Governor General and the Lieutenant-Governors (Pg 339) The Governor general has 4 main duties Represent the crown in Canada Guarantees that we have a prime minister Signs official documents Summons parliament Gives royal assent to bills

The Governor General and the Lieutenant-Governors (Pg 339) To represent all Canadians and support our sovereignty commander and chief to the armed forces Receives guests and dignitaries

The Governor General and the Lieutenant-Governors (Pg 339) To celebrate excellence Gives out awards and recognizes the achievements of Canadians To bring Canadians together Promote national unity Meets with Canadians regularly and listens to comments and concerns of citizens

The Governor General and the Lieutenant-Governors (Pg 339) Some of the critiques of the Governor General position include They are appointed by the queen and Prime Minister and no consultation is done with the people Expensive position to maintain Unnecessary and outdate position

The Governor General and the Lieutenant-Governors (Pg 339) Do you think having an appointed monarchy that represents the heredity of the monarchy is representative of liberal values?

The Governor General and the Lieutenant-Governors (Pg 339) The roles of the Lieutenant-Governors are essentially the same as the Governor General except that they work at a provincial level.

The Senate (Pg 342) The senate was created in 1867 as an appointed upper house for the Canadian Parliament The senate is considered to be a “sober second thought” to any legislation passed.

The Senate (Pg 342) In the House of Commons, MPs are elected on the basis of representation by population This means that areas with more people have more representation

The Senate (Pg 342) Senators are not elected, they are appointed by the Prime Minister and the Governor General which means they do not have to follow rep by pop, they can give representation to minority groups.

The Senate (Pg 342) Critiques of the senate Not elected, and can serve until they are 75 They do not have to show up for sessions and still get paid They just vote they way the political party that put them in votes

The Senate (Pg 342) Does the senate represent liberal values? Is there a way that it can be changed to represent liberal values more closely?

The Senate (Pg 342) Supporters of the Senate suggest Because they do not have to be elected they can stay true to beliefs and take long term positions. Senators have created engaging reports and backed investigations in the past

Senate Reform in Canada (Pg 344) Many people are in favour of senate reform in Canada The following slides will discuss some of these proposed reforms and possible results of the reforms

Senate Reform in Canada (Pg 344) Triple E Senate Elected – by the citizens Equal – represent each province equally Effective – have the power to oppose the House of Commons

Senate Reform in Canada (Pg 344) Positives More accountable Allow smaller province more say Senate can reject all legislation from the House Negatives Duplication of the house Reduced diversity in Senate Decisions made on basis of reelections and not long term benefit

Senate Reform in Canada (Pg 344) Limiting terms of Service Eight year terms Remove the mandatory retirement age

Senate Reform in Canada (Pg 344) Positives Increase senate turnover Fixed terms without age discrimination Allow party in power to appoint more senators Negative Could be dominated by the party in power

Senate Reform in Canada (Pg 344) Voting for government nominees The federal government would put forth nominees and the people would elect from that list

Senate Reform in Canada (Pg 344) Positive Appearance of having less ties to PM and more accountability to people PM still can appoint people based on minority needs Negatives Still may have lengthy terms

Senate Reform in Canada (Pg 344) As of yet there has not been any senate reform The reason for this is because you need to amend the constitution to do this This requires the Senate, the House and 7 provinces with more than 50% of population to agree (which is hard to do)

The Tradition of Canadian Political Parties (Pg 345) Political parties are based on tradition and are not guaranteed or required in the constitution. There are some complaints about political parties that suggest they go against liberal values

The Tradition of Canadian Political Parties (Pg 345) MP’s must follow the party line (Party Solidarity) and this may be against the wishes of the citizens Mp’s that do not follow the party line may be kicked out of the party or may even “cross the floor” to another party

The Tradition of Canadian Political Parties (Pg 345) Majority governments can be a bit dictatorial Majority governments do not need to worry about opposition which can weaken the parliamentary system

The Tradition of Canadian Political Parties (Pg 345) Minority governments can be weak and as such will not tackle tough issues that need to be addressed. Their main concern will be to stay in power

The Tradition of Canadian Political Parties (Pg 345) Government transparency is a problem with majority governments. This means that it is difficult to determine what the government is doing and how they are spending money.

The Tradition of Canadian Political Parties (Pg 345) From time to time there are proposed changes to the party system that would make them more accountable to the people Public release of revenue sources Maximum contributions

Summary of liberal democracy in Canada (Pg 346) Sometime the parliamentary democracy we have in Canada does not reflect liberal values Governor General, Lieutenant Governors, the Senate and Political parties are all criticized of attacking liberal values Reform has been suggested for all of these positions and organizations

Question for Inquiry #1 In what ways do the actions of Canada’s government reflect or go against liberal values?