History and Government of Canada For use with Text pgs , 60-61,

Canada Today (Text p & 60-61)

Canada was originally populated by nomads who migrated across Beringia, or who crossed the North Atlantic during the last ice age. In Canada, their descendants, those who we in the U.S. call Native Americans, are referred to as First Nations.In Canada, their descendants, those who we in the U.S. call Native Americans, are referred to as First Nations.

The first Europeans on the scene in Canada were the Vikings. Wait… not those Vikings!

These Vikings! The ones from Scandinavia!

Erik the Red landed in Greenland around 980 AD and then his son, Leif Ericson, founded a colony in Newfoundland about Leif

Evidence of Vikings in Canada: L'Anse aux Meadows – Newfoundland, Canada Viking village housed between 80 to 100 individuals, probably up to three ship crews. It appears that the settlement was probably abandoned after a few years due to bad relations with the native people in the area.

It wasn’t until nearly 500 years later that Europeans set foot on Canadian soil again. In 1497, Italian explorer John Cabot (Giovanni Caboto) arrived in Newfoundland after being commissioned by King Henry VII of England.In 1497, Italian explorer John Cabot (Giovanni Caboto) arrived in Newfoundland after being commissioned by King Henry VII of England.

Henry Hudson ( ) English explorer and navigator - explored parts of the Arctic Ocean and northeastern North America. The Hudson River, Hudson Strait, and Hudson Bay are named for him. English explorer and navigator - explored parts of the Arctic Ocean and northeastern North America. The Hudson River, Hudson Strait, and Hudson Bay are named for him. Hired by the Dutch East India Company in 1609, to try to find the Northwest Passage. Hired by the Dutch East India Company in 1609, to try to find the Northwest Passage. A trip through the Hudson Strait and into Hudson Bay ended in a mutiny. Hudson died after his crew mutinied and left Hudson, his son, and seven crew members adrift in a small, open boat in Hudson Bay. A trip through the Hudson Strait and into Hudson Bay ended in a mutiny. Hudson died after his crew mutinied and left Hudson, his son, and seven crew members adrift in a small, open boat in Hudson Bay.

France colonized around the St. Lawrence Seaway and down the Mississippi River while the English stayed on the Atlantic seaboard of the now-U.S. and also around Hudson Bay.France colonized around the St. Lawrence Seaway and down the Mississippi River while the English stayed on the Atlantic seaboard of the now-U.S. and also around Hudson Bay. They both engaged in extensive fishing and fur trapping.They both engaged in extensive fishing and fur trapping. French traders and missionaries tended to adapt to the ways of the native people and had few conflicts. French influence is still quite evident in Canada today (especially in Quebec).French traders and missionaries tended to adapt to the ways of the native people and had few conflicts. French influence is still quite evident in Canada today (especially in Quebec). By the 1500’s and 1600’s, both England and France had begun colonizing parts of eastern Canada. In addition to land, they were interested in the lucrative fur trade. French Voyageur

French and British interests started conflicting, resulting in the French and Indian War. The war was between the British and the French and their Indian allies. The Quebecois call the conflict the Intercolonial Wars. The war was between the British and the French and their Indian allies. The Quebecois call the conflict the Intercolonial Wars. At the same time, mirrored wars (The 7 Years War) were also going on in Europe. At the same time, mirrored wars (The 7 Years War) were also going on in Europe.

When the French and Indian War was over, France ceded (gave up) to Britain all of its Canadian territory and its now-U.S. territory east of the Mississippi.

The problem, though, was that French settlers stuck around. The French were Catholic, while the English were Protestant. In addition, most of them had just warred against each other. This blend of cultures didn’t blend well at all.The French were Catholic, while the English were Protestant. In addition, most of them had just warred against each other. This blend of cultures didn’t blend well at all. As a result, in 1791, Canada was split into two provinces: Upper and Lower Canada. This division lasted about 50 years.As a result, in 1791, Canada was split into two provinces: Upper and Lower Canada. This division lasted about 50 years.

Lower Canada was French and Upper Canada was English. Notice that Lower Canada is actually further north. “Upper” Canada referred to its location closer to the headwaters of the St. Lawrence River.

By 1867, the Dominion of Canada was created. It was a loose confederation of provinces (a federal structure). It consisted of Ontario (formerly Upper Canada), Quebec (formerly Lower Canada), and Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.It consisted of Ontario (formerly Upper Canada), Quebec (formerly Lower Canada), and Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

The Dominion quickly added more territories and provinces. For example, British Columbia was added in 1871, giving Canada a Pacific coast province.

Canada today has 13 Provinces and Territories stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

Canadian Government Political change in Canada has been the result of gradual evolution rather than sudden revolutionary upheaval, as occurred in the US. Political change in Canada has been the result of gradual evolution rather than sudden revolutionary upheaval, as occurred in the US. Text p

In 1867 the British North America Act gave Canadians limited control of their own government. (Canada Day celebrates this event every July 1st.)In 1867 the British North America Act gave Canadians limited control of their own government. (Canada Day celebrates this event every July 1st.) Great Britain retained legislative control over Canada. Canada’s constitution could not be changed without permission from Great Britain’s parliament.Great Britain retained legislative control over Canada. Canada’s constitution could not be changed without permission from Great Britain’s parliament. In 1982, with the passage of the Canada Act, Canada adopted a new constitution and finally gained COMPLETE independence from Great Britain.In 1982, with the passage of the Canada Act, Canada adopted a new constitution and finally gained COMPLETE independence from Great Britain. Canadian Government

CANADA Today Canada is independent of Great Britain and has a parliamentary system of government. Today Canada is independent of Great Britain and has a parliamentary system of government. It is considered a constitutional monarchy, a parliamentary democracy, a Federation or “Union”, and a representative democracy. It is considered a constitutional monarchy, a parliamentary democracy, a Federation or “Union”, and a representative democracy. Canada’s government has three levels: Federal, Provincial or Territorial, and Municipal (local) Canada’s government has three levels: Federal, Provincial or Territorial, and Municipal (local) Former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and Queen Elizabeth II. (1997)

CANADA’S SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT No separation of powers in Canada’s system of government. No separation of powers in Canada’s system of government. No sharp division between the executive and legislative branches. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are members of the House of Commons. No sharp division between the executive and legislative branches. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are members of the House of Commons. Only members of the House of Commons are elected. Only members of the House of Commons are elected.

Canada’s Government: Legislative Branch Consists of two houses (bicameral): The House of Commons (lower house)The House of Commons (lower house) Elected by the people. There must be a new election within 5 years of the last one. Elected by the people. There must be a new election within 5 years of the last one. This is the dominant chamber of parliament. Most bills originate here, and most significant decisions are made here. This is the dominant chamber of parliament. Most bills originate here, and most significant decisions are made here. Senate (upper house)Senate (upper house) Appointed by the governor-general (But really the Prime Minister tells him who to appoint). Senators may serve until age 75. Appointed by the governor-general (But really the Prime Minister tells him who to appoint). Senators may serve until age 75. Both houses must approve legislation, but the Senate rarely rejects bills passed by the House of Commons. Both houses must approve legislation, but the Senate rarely rejects bills passed by the House of Commons.

There are multiple political parties represented in parliament. Whichever political party manages to gain a majority in the House of Commons becomes the governing party and chooses somebody to be the Prime Minister.There are multiple political parties represented in parliament. Whichever political party manages to gain a majority in the House of Commons becomes the governing party and chooses somebody to be the Prime Minister. Sometimes parties may join forces in order to gain a majority.Sometimes parties may join forces in order to gain a majority. Ottawa is Canada’s National Capital Parliament Building

Canada’s Government: Executive Branch The Governor General is a Canadian citizen, appointed by the monarch. (has limited political power) The Governor General is a Canadian citizen, appointed by the monarch. (has limited political power) Canada’s real head of government is the prime minister. Canada’s real head of government is the prime minister. Prime Minister – selected by the House of Commons’ majority political partyPrime Minister – selected by the House of Commons’ majority political party Cabinet (similar to US Cabinet) and administrative departments.Cabinet (similar to US Cabinet) and administrative departments. The British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, is still the symbolic head of state. (2007) The British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, is still the symbolic head of state. (2007) Prime Minister, Stephen Harper (2010)

Canada’s Government: Judicial Branch Similar to US court system - a hierarchy with District Courts, then Courts of Appeals, and at the top the Supreme Court. Similar to US court system - a hierarchy with District Courts, then Courts of Appeals, and at the top the Supreme Court. Supreme Court justices are appointed by the governor-general under the “advice and consent” of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Supreme Court justices are appointed by the governor-general under the “advice and consent” of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The Supreme Court has the ultimate power of judicial review over Canadian federal and provincial laws. (They decide if laws are constitutional.) The Supreme Court has the ultimate power of judicial review over Canadian federal and provincial laws. (They decide if laws are constitutional.) (All judges are appointed.)

Commonwealth of Nations Canada is part of the Commonwealth of Nations This is a voluntary international political organization of fifty-four independent member states, all but two of which were former British colonies. These nations consult and cooperate with each other in matters of trade and economics. Queen Elizabeth II is the symbolic head.

Comparing Canadian and US Systems of Government Elected Appointed Note: In the U.S. most state judges are elected.

O Canada! Our home and native land! True patriot love in all thy sons command. With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North strong and free! From far and wide, O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. God keep our land glorious and free! O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.