People in Parliament And the three levels of Canadian Government

The Queen Head of state Role is mainly ceremonial therefore she does not have real power She is responsible for summoning parliament or provincial legislature to meet, appointing senators and calling elections Queen Elizabeth II of England

The Governor General David Lloyd Johnston The Queen’s representative in Canada at the federal level Performs the Queen’s responsibilities in Canada on behalf of the Queen He is responsible for summoning parliament or provincial legislatures to meet, appointing Senators, calling elections. His role is mainly ceremonial

The Prime Minister Stephen Harper Leader of a political party with the most seats in the House of Commons Most powerful person in Parliament Recommends to the Governor General the appointment of Senators, the appointment of judges to the Supreme court and determines when elections will be held

The Cabinet Members of the Parliament selected by the Prime Minister to be responsible for an area of Public Policy Minister of Defence Peter McKay Minister of Finance Hon. Jim Flaherty

House of Commons Contains 308 (elected) Members of Parliament responsibilities include making laws, raising or lowering taxes and debating issues of public policy

Senate Made up of 105 Senators (various legislative or governing bodies) appointed by the Prime Minister Responsible for reviewing laws passed by the House of Commons and representing the regions of Canada

Backbencher An MP who does not hold governmental office They are responsible for relaying the information back to their constitutes They get their names from where they sit in the House of Commons (in the back benches)

Shadow Cabinet Thomas Mulciar Members of the main Opposition party responsible for holding Ministers to account and for developing and disseminating the party's policy positions This person will shadow or mark each individual member of the government

Opposition Usually the largest parliamentary opposition party in the House of Commons or a provincial legislative assembly Not in government, either on its own or as part of a governing union This is usually the second-largest party in a legislative house In certain unusual circumstances, it may be a third or fourth party or even the largest part Keeps the government in check

Members of Parliament (MPs) Representative of the voter to a parliament They each represent a single electoral district, or riding They represent in the House of Commons J. Fantino O. ChowJ. FlahertyP. Kent J. McCallum

The Premier Head of government of a province or territory Not the head of state Head of Provincial Legislative and the head of the executive Hold seats in the Legislative Assembly Elected one of the electoral constituencies of the province They represent the provincial interests on the federal level of government Kathleen Wynne Premier of Ontario

Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) M. Chan P. Sherman F. Klees M. Kwinter One member of the provincial parliament (MPP) is elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in each provincial riding in Ontario MPPs represent the views of their constituents in the legislative assembly, and take part in committees and debates on provincial legislation

Majority vs. Minority Majority vote More than half the votes Prime Minister can make legislative decisions Majority of seats in the House of Commons Minority vote Less than half of the votes They need support from the opposition to make legislative decisions Persuading other parties to vote with them

Municipal Governments These consist of two categories: Upper Tier (regions and districts, such as Peel Region) Lower Tier (cities and towns, such as Mississauga and Streetsville)

Municipal Responsibilities… water sewage, waste collection public transit land use planning libraries emergency services (fire, police, EMT) animal control economic development

Provincial Debate In groups (Liberal, Conservative, NDP, Green) students will be arguing on a specific topic (Education-Provincial). Arguments will be based on the views of the specific parties 10 minutes to research party stand on the issue Then we will participate in an open debate/forum. Every party will have a chance to speak on the issue (2-3 minutes per group) followed by an open debate where all the parties can converse amongst one another

Links NDP: Liberal: Conservative:

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