Federal Political System By Ms. Williamson

Monarch of Britain Represented by the Governor General Formal head of state in Canada Generally serves for five year term Social 9 Textbook

Governor General David Johnston The Governor General represents Canada during State visits abroad and receives Royal visitors, heads of State and foreign ambassadors at Rideau Hall and at the Citadelle of Québec. The Governor General presents honours and awards to recognize excellence, valour, bravery and exceptional achievements. The Governor General is also the head of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.

The Executive Branch Proposes most laws Puts laws into action Runs the day-to-day business of government Includes the Prime Minister and the Cabinet Social 9 Textbook

Executive Branch Prime Minister - Elected in as leader of a political party - Party must win the most seats in House of Commons Cabinet - Belong to leading political party - Members of Parliament - PM appoints them

Mr. Stephen Harper PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA

Cabinet Ministers

The Right Honourable Stephen Harper Prime Minister of Canada The Honourable Rob Nicholson Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Agriculture) The Honourable Marjory LeBreton Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister of State (Seniors) The Honourable Chuck Strahl Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Current Cabinet Members & Portfolios

The Honourable Peter MacKay Minister of National Defence The Honourable Stockwell Day President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway The Honourable Vic Toews Minister of Public Safety The Honourable Rona Ambrose Minister of Public Works and Government Services The Honourable Diane Finley Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development The Honourable Bev Oda Minister of International Cooperation

The Honourable Jim Prentice Minister of the Environment The Honourable John Baird Leader of the Government in the House of Commons The Honourable Lawrence Cannon Minister of Foreign Affairs The Honourable Tony Clement Minister of Industry The Honourable Jim Flaherty Minister of Finance The Honourable Josée Verner Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister for La Francophonie

The Honourable Peter Van Loan Minister of International Trade The Honourable Gerry Ritz Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board The Honourable Jason Kenney Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism The Honourable Christian Paradis Minister of Natural Resources The Honourable James Moore Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq Minister of Health

The Honourable Lisa Raitt Minister of Labour The Honourable Gail Shea Minister of Fisheries and Oceans The Honourable Keith Ashfield Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway The Honourable John Duncan Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development

The Legislative Branch Makes laws Represents the interests and rights of Canada’s regions Includes the House of Commons, the Senate, and the Governor General Social 9 Textbook

Legislative Branch Senate - Appointed on the PM’s recommendation House of Commons - Elected by voters

1. Speaker. 2. Page 3. Cabinet Minister 4. Opposition Party 5. Prime Minister 6. Leader of the Official Opposition 7. Leader of the 2nd largest party in opposition 8. Clerk and Table Officers 9. Mace 10. Hansard 11. Sergeant-at-Arms 12. Bar 13. Interpreters 14. Press Gallery 15. Galleries 16. T.V. Camera HOUSE OF COMMONS

1. Speaker. 2. Page 3. Cabinet Minister 4. Opposition Party 5. Prime Minister 6. Leader of the Official Opposition 7. Leader of the 2nd largest party in opposition 8. Clerk and Table Officers 9. Mace 10. Hansard 11. Sergeant-at-Arms 12. Bar 13. Interpreters 14. Press Gallery 15. Galleries 16. T.V. Camera SENATE

The Judicial Branch Applies and interprets laws Includes Canada’s courts of law Is separate from the other branches and acts as a check on their powers Social 9 Textbook

SUPREME COURT JUDGES The application is considered by a judicial advisory committee in the applicant's province. These eight-member committees include: A nominee of the provincial or territorial law society. · A nominee of the provincial or territorial branch of the Canadian Bar Association. A judge nominated by the Chief Justice or senior judge of the province or territory. A nominee of the provincial Attorney General or territorial Minister of Justice. A nominee of the law enforcement community. Three nominees of the federal Minister of Justice representing the general public.