1. Why do we need to learn about our Government?

2. Why do we need to learn about our Government?
“We cannot work or eat or drink; we cannot buy or sell or own anything; we cannot go to a ball game or a hockey game or watch TV without feeling the effects of government. We cannot marry or educate our children, cannot be sick, born or buried without the hand of government somewhere intervening.” Senator Eugene Forsey

3. What is a Government?
original sense of the word “government,” as its roots in both Greek and Latin mean “to steer.”
A government is the way a group of people come together to organize their affairs and decide how to get things done

4. Canada’s Government
Canada is a democratic country meaning the government is elected by the people
We have municipal governments (cities), provincial governments, and the federal Government (the entire country’s government)
Main roles of the federal government include: defence, criminal law, postal service, trade regulation, external relations, money and banking, transportation, citizenship, and Indian affairs.

5. Chapter 1 How Effectively does Canada’s Federal Political System govern Canada for all Canadians?
Prime Minister Conservative Leader NDP Leader Bloc Quebecois Leader Green Party Leader
Justin Trudeau Rona Ambrose Thomas Mucair Rheal Fortin Elizabeth May

6. Create a KWL chart in your notes about Canada’s Federal System
K= “What do I know about Canada’s Federal Government?”
W= “What do I want to learn about Canada’s Federal System?”
L= “What I learned about Canada’s Federal System K
What do I know about Canada’s Federal Government? W
What do I want to learn about Canada’s Federal System? L
What I learned about Canada’s Federal System

7. Walk In Assignment
If you were old enough to vote in the next election (likely in 2019), what would be the most important issues to you that you would want the Federal government to address and why?
After writing your response in complete sentences, rank order your top 5 priorities for the Federal government in this election.

8. Focus Questions of this Chapter
What is the structure of Canada’s federal political system?
How do bills become laws?
How do the media connect Canadians to their government?
What do lobbyists do?

9. Read Intro to Chapter 1 as a class page 16
After reading the intro get into groups of 2 and create a chart to organize your thoughts during the group discussion. Complete the chart in point form.
”What challenges does the government of Canada have when they make decisions that reflect the needs of all Canadians?”

10. Possible Group Responses
It is impossible to govern to all Canadians. The government is likely to make decisions that represent the majority opinion. They Govern to the majority so they get re-elected.
The decisions that governments make will never please every single Canadian; all Canadians have different POINTS OF VIEW…therefore not everyone will be satisfied with government decision making.
The government is in office for 4 years at a time…in this time they cannot possibly deal with all the concerns that Canadians have.
The government is located in Ottawa so they may not be in touch with what is happening is all parts of Canada. Some voters feel “left out” of the political process even though they have the right to vote.
If the government has a minority in the House of Commons, they may having difficulty passing legislation for fear that opposition parties will vote against them in the House of Commons (This is called a non-confidence vote). If this happens the Prime Minister would be forced to call an election before they are ready for one.

11. Critical Thinking Challenge
Look at the pictures on page 17 in your textbook.
To what extent might the different experiences of the Canadians on this page affect their views or perspectives?

12. The Three Branches of the Canadian Federal Government

14. CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY
Canada is a CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY, the head of state being a monarch (a king or queen). The monarch’s representative in Canada is the Governor General who fills the role of approving laws made in Canada and other formal functions. The representative of the monarch in the provinces is the Lieutenant Governor.

15. Canada’s Constitution
Is the written law that describes all governance in Canada
It sets out the role of the governor general and the different roles of the three branches of government:
Executive
Legislative
Judicial
Also sets out other important institutions in Canada
See Cartoon pg. 21

16. Governor General
The Governor General is appointed by the monarch (Queen) on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. The Lieutenant Governor is appointed by the Governor General following a recommendation by the premier of a province to the prime minister.
Governor General
David Johnston

17. Governor General
The Governor General has the power to appoint the Prime Minister, who is the leader of the political party that holds the most seats in the House of Commons. The Governor General and Lieutenant Governor generally act on the advice of the prime minister or premier of the province.
No bill gets passed in either parliament or a provincial legislature without ROYAL ASSENT- from the Governor General or Lieutenant Governor.

18. What is the structure of Canada’s federal political system?
The Queen
The Executive Branch
The Legislative Branch
The Judicial Branch

19. The Executive Branch THE PART OF GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBLE
FOR PUTTING LAWS IN ACTION
Includes:
The Prime Minister (PM) - head of Canada’s government
The Cabinet - made up of leaders of different government departments or agencies (also called portfolios) - They are MP’s or Senators that are chosen by the Prime Minister (moving away from Senators in cabinet – Senate scandals)
Governor General

20. Walk in Assignment
What factors do you think the prime minister takes into account when appointing the members of cabinet?
Tip: Look on page 25 at the list of portfolios that cabinet ministers have. What kind of experience do you think cabinet ministers need to do their jobs?

21. Walk in Assignment
As Prime Minister, how could you use cabinet positions to respond to issues about government that concern Canadians? What is the ultimate purpose of the Government for Canadians?

22. The Executive Branch Role: See Cartoon pg. 23 Proposes most laws
Puts laws into action
Runs the day-to-day business of government
See Cartoon pg. 23

23. The Legislative Branch AKA - Canada’s Parliament
THE PART OF GOVERNMENT THAT MAKES LAWS
Includes:
House of Commons - the major law making body. They debate, study and vote on laws called BILLS. Made up of elected MP’s (Members of Parliament)
Senate - represent the interests and rights of Canada’s regions, and especially Canada’s minorities. The Senate’s job is to give “sober second thought” to a bill from the HOC. They pretty much do what the House of Commons does all over again. Also, the Senate can propose laws, but this rarely occurs.
Governor General - represents Britain’s Monarch in Canada

24. The House of Commons Is made up of 338 elected Members of Parliament
Is the principal law making body in Canada
Members devote most of their time to debating and voting on bills
They also….
Represent constituents views
Discuss national issues
Call on the government to explain its actions

25. The Legislative Branch Important things to remember:
Queen’s role as head of state is to give Royal Assent to the laws being passed, either directly or through Governor General or Lieutenant Governor.
The Prime Minister (PM) is the leader of the political party that wins the most seats in the HOC and can form the government.
Canadians do not vote for or against a PM, Canadians vote for the various representatives of the various political parties (MP – Member of Parliament).

26. House of Commons in Session

27. The Legislative Branch
Role:
Makes laws
Represents the interests and rights of Canada’s regions.
See Cartoon pg. 26
Why might the role of the Senate to represent minorities be important to governance in Canada?

28. HOC vs. Senate HOC Senate -can propose laws -Appointed -Elected
-Upper House
-Representation by region
-Elected
-Lower House
-Representation by Population

29. By the Numbers HOC Standing Senate Standing New for the 2015 Election
(Member of Parliament – MP)
Liberal Party 184 
Conservative Party 99
New Democratic Party 44
Bloc Quebecois 10
Green Party
Independent
Vacant seats
TOTAL
New for the 2015 Election
The Fair Representation Act introduced a new formula that would expand the House of Commons from 308 to 338 seats for the 2015 election, based on existing population estimates that show growth in Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta, which would gain more influence in the new Parliament.
Senate Standing
Conservative Party
Non-Affiliated 24  
Independent Liberals 21
Vacant seats
TOTAL

30. Members of Parliament MP’S
Read page in your text and answer the following questions.
What are the 2 key roles of MP’S?
Look at the graph and map on page 30, and respond to the question:
“What if the votes in the 2006 election had been counted by popular vote instead of by riding? How would the way Albertans are represented in the House of Commons be different?

31. Answer to Question #2
In the 2006 election all of Alberta’s 28 ridings were won by the Conservative Party. If the election was determined by popular vote, then other political parties would have won seats in Alberta.

32. Walk in Assignment
If you were prime minister, to what extent would you work with the opposition?

33. The Judicial Branch
THE PART OF GOVERNMENT THAT INTERPRETS AND APPLIES THE LAW BY MAKING LEGAL JUDGEMENTS
Includes:
ALL Canada’s Courts of Law (Supreme and Provincial/Territorial Courts)
The Supreme Court is the highest (most powerful) - it has the final word on all legal questions in the country.
Role:
To apply and interpret laws
Acts as a “check” on the power of the executive and legislative branches of government.
Ensures that the rights of Canadians are protected.
See Cartoon pg. 34

34. Supreme Court and its Judges