1. The Structure of Canadian Government
History 30

2. Canadian Federalism
John A. Macdonald favoured the British style of centralized government, in which there is a single, central government that oversees the governing of the whole country.
However, the four provinces of British North America demanded some local governing powers – looking to the American, federal style of governing.

3. A Constitutional Monarchy
The Fathers of Confederation made Canada a constitutional monarchy.
The King or Queen of Britain is Canada’s head of state.
Final authority in making or changing laws lay in the hands of the king or queen, not the prime minister’s.
However, the power of the king or queen is limited.

4. The Parliamentary System
The Fathers of Confederation decided Canada would have a parliament to govern the country.
Parliament consists of three distinct elements: the House of Commons, the Senate, and Cabinet.

5. The Upper and Lower Houses
The Senate was established to protect the regional interests of Canadians.
Senators are “summoned” or appointed by the Governor General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.
The members of the House of Commons are chosen by the people – based on rep. by pop.

6. The Senate At Confederation, provision was made for 72 Senators.
Senators must be at least 30 years of age, reside in the province for which they have been summoned and have real personal property worth $4000, in excess of any debts and liabilities.
This property qualification for senators was encouraged by John A. Macdonald in order to ensure the protection of property rights of Canadians.

7. House of Commons
At the time of Confederation, representation was based on Quebec having the same number of seats that it had in the Legislature of the Province of Canada, with the other provinces being granted representation in proportion to that number.
At the opening of the First Parliament, 181 Members sat in the House of Commons, representing the following provinces:
82 for Ontario
65 for Quebec
19 for Nova Scotia
15 for New Brunswick

8. House of Commons Alberta 34 British Columbia 42 Manitoba 14
New Brunswick 10
Newfoundland 7
Northwest Territories 1
Nova Scotia 11
Nunavut
Ontario
121
Prince Edward Island 4
Quebec 78
Saskatchewan
Yukon Territory

9. Voting in Canada
Members are elected by popular vote at least once every five years to sit in the House of Commons.
The country is divided into electoral districts, also known as ridings or constituencies, and each is entitled to one seat in the House of Commons.
Canadian citizens 18 years of age or older are eligible to vote.
“First past the post” voting system

10. Electoral Districts Canada is divided into 3 electoral districts
The boundaries are determined by an electoral boundaries commission following each decennial census
The boundaries are grouped by province and territory

11. Cast Your Vote
The most common way to vote is at the ordinary polls on election day.
On election day, electors go to the polling station indicated on their voter information card.
Electors who have not already registered can register at the polling station on election day after showing proof of identity and address.

12. Election Results Majority Government Minority Government
A majority government exists when the governing party gains a majority of the seats in the House of Commons.
A minority government exists when the governing party does not hold a majority of the seats in the House of Commons.
Minority governments:
, William Lyon Mackenzie King, Liberal
1926, Arthur Meighen, Conservative
, John Diefenbaker, Conservative
, John Diefenbaker, Conservative
, Lester Pearson, Liberal
, Pierre Trudeau, Liberal
, Joe Clark, Conservative
, Paul Martin, Liberal
, Stephen Harper, Conservative

13. Cabinet
In Canada, the real power rests in neither the House of Commons nor the Senate.
Canada has a prime minister who appoints a group of advisors called the Cabinet.
Together the prime minister and the Cabinet wield the real power in the government.

14. The Government of Canada
Governor General of Canada
Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers
Parliament
Senate
House of Commons
Voters

15. Division of Federal and Provincial Powers
According to the British North America Act, 1867, the federal government would have thirty-seven distinct powers as opposed to the fifteen powers for the provinces.
The federal government was also given the responsibility of “peace, order, and good government” of the new country.

16. Provincial Government
Powers of Governments
Federal Government
Provincial Government
National defence
Foreign affairs
Employment insurance
Banking
Federal taxes
Postal service
Copyright law
Criminal law
Provincial taxes
Hospitals
Prisons
Education
Marriage
Property and civil rights
Rules of the road
Age of majority

17. Problems with the British North America Act, 1867
There were two primary problems with the British North America Act, 1867:
The Fathers of Confederation made no arrangement for how revisions to the Act could take place without British involvement.
If the federal and provincial governments disagreed on the interpretation of the Act, their only course of action was to turn to a British court – the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

18. Quick Review
OurCountryOurParliament/game41-e.aspx

19. Resources
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Connor, L., Hull, B., Wyatt-Anderson, C. (2011). Shaping Canada: Our history: from our beginnings to the present. Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson.