Who is in the Legislative branch? THE LAW MAKIN’ BRANCH It includes the: -Queen/Governor General: Mr. David Johnston (Later on we will find out that the Governor General belongs to 2 branches!) -Senate (Senators)-105 senators -House of Commons (MP’s)-308 MP’s The Legislative branch in GENERAL- Makes laws and represents the interests and rights of Canada’s regions. Leg branch: Read the cartoon pg. 26!

What is a Member of Parliament? MP’s are elected in a general federal election. Our current MP is Chris Warkentin-he is a Progressive Conservative. Roles and Responsibilities: 1.Representing constituents in Parliament  the ‘people’s’ representatives in the House of Commons 2.Making Laws  influence legislation through debates 3.Watchdogs on Government  influence federal government policy  raise policy issues and concerns

What is a Member of Parliament? Roles and Responsibilities: 4.Party Supporters  usually belong to a political party and plays a role in it’s operation 5.Offices  maintain two offices with staff for which they are responsible (Parliament Hill and in their constituency)

Federal and Provincial ridings-Peace River RidingPeace River Riding Every Federal riding must have a relatively fixed number of people in it….Any guesses? HUMANS!

The House of Commons: The “green chamber” Each riding across the country has a “seat”- literally a place where the MP will sit.

Legislative Branch parts The House of Commons: Major law making body The MP’s in the house of commons debate, study and vote on laws proposed in Canada. Propose laws are called bills! DID YA KNOW? Most bills are introduced by the Executive Branch! Each MP represents the voters of one riding or constituency. Most MP’s belong to political parties. The political party with the most MP’s elected across Canada usually forms the government. The other parties form what is called the opposition. All proceedings of the leg branch are in Canada’s two official languages. Watch H of C video and fill in more info on your chart!!! (ilearn)

Legislative Branch GOVERNOR GENERAL/QUEEN Mr. David Johnston The Governor General officially appoints the Prime Minister as the HEAD OF GOVERNMENT. Makes the Speech from the Throne (a speech that describes the new goals of the government). Gives Royal Assent to bills (final stage in how to make a law) Hosts foreign dignitaries Visits other countries at the request of the Prime Minister Celebrates excellence by giving awards to AWESOME Canadians. Cool fact-The Governor General is part of the EXECUTIVE BRANCH

The Senate Legislative Branch

What is a Senator/Senate? Roles and Responsibilities 1.Examine and revise the legislation produced from the House of Commons.  provide a “sober, second thought”  review federal legislation clause by clause  Reviews and debates bills proposed by the H of C.  have the power to introduce bills, this rarely happens.  The Senate CANNOT propose any bills about spending money or taxation. 2.Investigate national Canadian issues  contribute to in-depth studies on public issues 3.Represent regional, provincial and minority interests!  meet and consider regional impact of legislation  represent the rights of groups/individuals who may be overlooked

What is a Senator/Senate? Roles and Responsibilities: 4.Watchdog on government  provide a detailed review of all legislation  routinely question and challenge the Leader of the Government  The Senate can reject bills however they rarely use this power…. 5.Party Supporters  supports a political party and plays a role in it’s operation  Who are our current senators!?current senators  Watch senate vid on ilearn!

What is a Senator? Selection Process and Qualifications: Senators are not elected. How do they get their job: They are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. Senators must be at least 30 years old and retire by the age of 75. Senators also must live and own property in the Canadian province or territory that they represent. Backgrounds of Senators include former provincial premiers, cabinet ministers and business people from many economic sectors.

Political Cartoon- The “sleepy Canadian Senate” Free for all Nap time

The EXECUTIVE Branch The Prime Minister (elected by political party/supporters) The Cabinet (Cabinet Ministers-elected as MP’s, appointed by PM for special duties) Queen

Executive Branch- What the heck do they do!? In general they: Manage! Propose most laws (bills) into the House of Commons!! Put laws into action (Laws are put into action through the specific department/portfolio) Run the day to day business of government (these are the portfolios each cabinet minister gets) What aspects of our lives are impacted by our Federal gov…..a recap! The decision making area!

Executive Branch-Prime Minister He is the leader of the political party with the most seats in the House of Commons. He is also an MP and has a constituency he represents in the country. Stephan Harper’s constituency is in Calgary! Prime Minister appoints his cabinet members. Runs the show like a boss….. PM for a day cartoon! Pg. 23 Past and present head dudes and dudette!

Executive Branch- Cabinet Ministers Each cabinet minister has an area of responsibility-a portfolio. Ex’s The Minister of Environment. In this role they will work to propose bills specific to their portfolio. Be up to date on the needs of this area in Canada. They have a team of support staff to help them run these areas of our government. Current ministers

The Judicial Branch-applies and interprets the laws made. Includes Canada’s courts of laws. All members are from the legal profession (Imagine that!) It is separate from all other branches. Acts as a check on the other branches powers. The branch’s main responsibility is to make sure that the rights of Canadians are respected! Highest court of law is the Supreme Court of Canada! Essentially and in conclusion the Judicial Branch makes sure that laws passed by the government are not against the Canadian Constitution and Charter of Rights and Freedoms!

The Supreme Court The Supreme Court of Canada is the highest court in Canada. It is considered the court of last resort as the Supreme Court hears appeals of civil, criminal, and constitutional cases that have been tried in lower courts. For example, a civil case may deal with matters of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Other times, the Supreme Court of Canada may be asked by the government to respond to constitutional concerns. The judges who sit on the Supreme Court are highly respected and experienced. When a Supreme Court judge retires, a list of nominations for this special role is developed. A committee of Members of Parliament from all political parties creates a final short list of three judges to nominate. The Prime Minister then makes the final selection. There are nine judges in total: Three judges come from Ontario, three judges are from Québec, two come from the Western provinces, and one is from Atlantic Canada. Did you notice that there are an odd number of judges sitting in the Supreme Court? This ensures that there will never be a tie in judgment.

Portfolio project Look at the portfolios on the link. Pick one that interests you and find some of the needs of this area currently in Canada. Based on the needs that you found, propose a Bill to make a positive change for Canada.