Canada’s Federal System of Government Democracy in Action

Democracy Democracy means “rule or government by the people” In ancient Greece, in the city-state of Athens, every man had to take his turn at governing. Each man was in charge of leading the government for part of each year. As populations grew, democracy changed from a system of government by the people ruling directly to one where they ruled indirectly through elected representatives.

These elected people were from their own community. In Canada today, our representatives are freely elected by secret ballot. The tool we use to make our democracy work is the Parliamentary system.

The Parliamentary System

The Constitution Canada has a basic set of rules by which we are governed. Canada’s constitution is both written and unwritten. The written part is contained mainly in the Constitution Act, 1982. Another written part is the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The unwritten part of the constitution consists of parliamentary and other political customs and traditions. The positions of Prime Minister and Cabinet, political parties, and federal-provincial conferences are not mentioned in our written constitution.

Division of Powers Sections 91, 92, and 93-95 of the Constitution Acts, 1867-1982 deal with divisions of power (“constitutional division of powers”) The federal government is responsible for all matters involving the whole country, such as foreign affairs, international trade, and national economic policy.

Sharing There are many areas where the federal and provincial governments share responsibilities, including agriculture justice post-secondary education the environment family allowances old age security

Disagreements Whenever the federal and provincial governments disagree over whose jurisdiction is responsible for a particular area, they ask the courts to decide.

The Governor General The Governor General does not have real power except in unusual emergencies. For many Canadians, the position of Governor General is a national symbol. The Governor General acts on the advice of the Executive.

Formal Duties of the Governor General Gives Royal Assent to all Acts of Parliament Signs orders-in-council and other state documents Appoints as Prime Minister the party leader whose party elected the most Members of Parliament at a general election Appoints a new Prime Minister to hold office until a new leader can be chosen, if the Prime Minister dies or resigns Opens, prorogues, and dissolves Parliament on the advice of the Prime Minister Reads the Speech from the Throne at the opening of Parliament Travels across Canada to attend all kinds of events from winter carnivals to dress balls

Formal Duties of the Governor General Receives people at the official residences – Rideau Hall in Ottawa and the Citadel in Quebec City – including foreign heads of state who are visiting Canada Travels across Canada to attend all kinds of events from winter carnivals to dress balls Travels to other countries, accompanied by a designated Cabinet Minister, to act as a goodwill ambassador and representative for Canada Meets regularly with the Prime Minister to discuss the government’s plans Presents awards for bravery and outstanding achievement to Canadians

Famous Governor Generals Lord Stanley Canada’s sixth Governor General (1888-1893) Instituted the Stanley Cup for hockey. Earl Grey Canada’s ninth Governor General (1904-1911) Responsible for the Grey Cup, Canadian football’s highest trophy.

Canada’s Current G.G. Michaelle Jean Canada’s 27th Governor General Governor General’s website

The House of Commons Members of Parliament meet to debate and pass proposed laws, as well as to discuss issues of local, regional and national importance. To keep order, the House of Commons is governed by rules of procedure called “Standing Orders” The House is overseen by a Speaker, a Member of Parliament whose job it is to protect the rights of all Members and to discipline those who abuse these rights.

Interesting details . . . MPs are normally referred to by the riding they represent, not by their first or family names. “The Honourable Member for Fundy-Royal” Present and former PMs are called “The Right Honourable . . .” An MP who has been insulting or refuses to listen to the Speaker is punished by being “named” The Member is referred to by his/her own last name. The Member is removed by the Sergeant-at-Arms. The MP can be suspended for as long as the House decides – one day or longer

Wednesday, October 18, 2006 Canadian Member of Parliament Suspended For Blogging Turner warned a month ago about his blogging While maverick MP Garth Turner says he has no idea why the Conservative caucus kicked him out, CTV News has learned he was warned a month ago to stop playing reporter on his blog. The maverick MP, who represents the Ontario riding of Halton, was suspended earlier Wednesday from the Conservative caucus, after a motion passed citing “confidentiality concerns” regarding his often-controversial daily blog, The Turner Report. Turner calls Tory caucus suspension ‘unfortunate' Outspoken MP Garth Turner says he was not kicked out of the Conservative caucus because of confidentiality concerns, but because of his beliefs on certain policies. “Caucus confidentiality, at least in the caucus meeting I was in, was not discussed. It was not the issue. The issue were my beliefs on policies. That was the issue,” Mr. Turner told a press conference Wednesday.

What an MP does each day The Three Cs The constituency Each MP has an office in Ottawa They can hold meetings for constituents They answer letters/phone calls from constituents They introduce proposals in the House to change laws that affect their constituents They speak out about problems that exist in their region

The Commons Ask questions of Cabinet Ministers Make statements on a local/national concern Debate bills Watch how tax money is spent Except during Question Period, committee meetings are going on at the same time as the debate in the House

Five Major Types of Parliamentary Committees The Committees Five Major Types of Parliamentary Committees Twenty-one Standing (permanent) committees that are appointed for the life of a Parliament. Consider all matters referred by the House. Legislative Committees deal with bills referred to them after second reading in the House. These committees cease once they report. Special Committees appointed by the House to study specific matters. Joint Committees of MPs and Senators. Committees of the Whole occur when the House sits as a committee and all MPs are members of it.

How the Government is chosen The political party with the most candidates elected at a general election. More than half the total number of constituencies voted for a party, it is a majority government (151) No clear majority means minority government. Every motion has to have enough MPs in the House of Commons to carry it. All “matters of confidence” votes that are defeated bring down the House.

END OF UNIT Before being given too much information, it is time for a short test. The test will cover the various topics and notes provided over the last two weeks including: What is government? Political Terms. Canadian Federalism. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH