1. The Three Branches of Canadian Government
Legislative
Executive
Judicial

2. You Will Need to Know The role of each branch
The positions in each branch
Who decides who will be in each position and how they decide who will be in that position.
The work of each branch

3. B.C. Lieutenant Governor
Legislative branch
Role: To create laws
Positions in this branch:
House of Commons (H of C)
Senate
The Monarch: King/Queen
Governor General (GG)
Lieutenant Governor (LG)
Judith Guichon
B.C. Lieutenant Governor

4. Legislative Branch Continued
3. Who selects and how?
H of C: People by voting
Senate: PM by appointment
GG: PM and appointment by the Queen

5. Legislative Branch (Cont’d)
4. The work of this branch
To pass laws (from bills)
This involves the H of C and Senate Committees
Origins of Bills:
- Cabinet
- Private Members Bill
GG provides Royal Assent

6. Carries out (implements) the country’s laws
Executive Branch
Roles:
Carries out (implements) the country’s laws
Operates the administration of government
 Parliament

7. Executive Branch (continued)
2. Positions in this branch:
The Monarch
Governor General (GG)
Lieutenant General (LG)
Prime Minister (PM)
Cabinet
Bureaucracy
Departments/ ministries
Crown corporations
Regulatory agencies
Advisory bodies
Queen Elizabeth 2 
(Monarch)
David Johnston
(GG)
Justin Trudeau
(PM)

8. Executive Branch (Cont’d)
3. Who selects and how:
GG: PM with appointment by the Queen
PM: chosen by the political party
Cabinet: Appointed by PM
Bureaucracy: Appointed by Gov’t and hired
(cabinet circa 2008)

9. Executive Branch (cont’d)
4. The work of this branch:
GG: ceremonial
PM:
Selects GG, Cabinet
Management of Political Party
Power of Organizing the Government: Departments, PMO
Power of Dissolution

10. Still more Executive Branch
Cabinet:
Operates by Order-in-Council
An Order in Council is a type of legislation.
Two principal types of Order in Council exist: Orders in Council exercising the Royal Prerogative or
Orders in Council made in accordance with an Act of Parliament.
In Canada they are made in the name of the Governor General by the Queen's Privy Council for Canada (or in the case of provincial orders-in-council, orders are by the Lieutenant-Governor-in-Council)
An Order in Council made under the Royal Prerogative is primary legislation, and does not depend on any statute for its authority. This includes things like: the standing orders for civil servants and appointing heads of Crown corporations or Overseas Gov’t Departments
Traditionally, Orders in Council are used as a way for the Prime Minister to make political appointments, but they can also be used to issue simple laws as a sort of decree.
Cabinet includes:
Ministers of permanent departments
Ministers of State: small subordinated departments
Ministers without portfolio

11. Executive Branch, I bet you thought it was over
Bureaucracy and Government Dept’s:
To administer Gov’t
To provide Gov’t services
A. Departments
B. Crown Corporations
C. Regulatory Agencies: set rules for business Ex. CRTC
D. Advisory Bodies
Royal commissions
Tax forces

12. Judicial Branch 1. Role: 2. Positions in this branch:
Interprets the law
Adjudicates legal disputes
2. Positions in this branch:
Judges
Courts
Supreme Court of Canada 
*Note no relation to Santa Clause

13. Judicial Branch Cont’d
3. Who selects and how:
Superior Court Judges:
Appointed by PM
Provincial Court Judges:
Appointed by provincial Government

14. Judicial Branch Cont’d
4. The work of this branch:
Judges:
Interpret the law
Adjudicated disputes over rights