Government and Election Review!

Foundation of Government British roots Representative Democracy –elected representatives make decisions on our behalf Constitutional Monarchy –monarch has only the powers laid out in the nation’s constitution and laws

Federal System National government + Provincial and Territorial governments = Canada

Division of Power Federal Responsibilities Provincial Responsibilities Shared Responsibilities See p. 224 Residual Powers areas that did not exist or were not listed in 1867 are assigned to the federal government

Municipal Government Responsibilities –Garbage collection, sewage treatment, fire protection, water supply and the establishment of schools Powers given and taken away by Province

Branches of Government Executive Branch make decisions and administer them (through the civil service) Legislative Branch make laws Judicial Branch interpret and administer the law

Executive Branch Makes decisions and administers them (through the civil service) Federal –Governor General, Prime Minister, Cabinet, Civil/Public Service Governor General – mostly ceremonial, Royal Assent Prime Minister – head of government, nation, political party

Executive Branch Cabinet – MPs chosen by PM to lead government ministries –Cabinet shuffle –Cabinet solidarity –Party whip Public Service –employees who perform the on- going business of government

Legislative Branch Makes laws Federal –Governor General, House of Commons, Senate House of Commons – 308 MPs –Constituency –Caucus –Speaker of the House –Free Vote

Legislative Branch Senate –Appointed by GG on PM’s recommendation Patronage Selected regionally –“sober second thought”

Provincial Government FederalBritish Columbia Governor GeneralLieutenant Governor Prime MinisterPremier Cabinet House of CommonsLegislative Assembly Member of Parliament (MP) Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) SenateNo Equivalent

How a Bill Becomes a Law See p. 237 Bill Drafted – by MP or Senator, but usually Cabinet First Reading - bill is introduced Second Reading - bill is debated and possibly changed multi-party committee studies bill (Committee Stage) Third Reading - bill is accepted or rejected (vote) Senate – may suggest changes Royal Assent – GG signs it; bill is now law

Elections Eligibility Requirements –18 years old and a Canadian citizen Three Stages: Campaigning, Voting, and Tabulating PM asks GG to call an election –At least once every five years –Reasons: government is popular, test for support, catch the opposition at a bad time, vote of non-confidence, or budget defeated

Elections First Past the Post – whoever has the most votes wins –Pros: simple, easy to understand –Cons: all or nothing, fewer people may have voted for winner than others Proportional Representation –% of votes = % of seats –Pros: more representation from other parties –Cons: little local representation, minority governments

Types of Governments Majority Government – more than 50% of seats from the same party –Pros: stable, consistent, efficient Minority Government – ruling party has less than 50% of the seats –Pros: responsive, accountable, transparent