1. Governments United States and Canada

2. U.S. Government Democratic roots can be traced back to Ancient Greece
A limited, democratic government with an elected president and Congress
The Constitution of the United States divides the federal government into three branches to ensure a central government in which no individual or group gains too much control:
Legislative – Makes laws (Congress)
Executive – Carries out laws (President, Vice President, Cabinet)
Judicial – Evaluates laws (Supreme Court and Other Courts)
The federal government handles issues affecting the whole country.
States, counties, and cities have their own governments that provide state and local services, such as trash collection, road building, electricity, and public transportation.

3. Branches of Government
Each branch of government can change acts of the other branches as follows:
The president can veto laws passed by Congress.
Congress confirms or rejects the president's appointments and can remove the president from office in exceptional circumstances.
The justices of the Supreme Court, who can overturn unconstitutional laws, are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.

4. Branches of Government
Legislative Branch
The legislative branch enacts legislation, confirms or rejects presidential appointments, and has the authority to declare war.
This branch includes Congress (the Senate and House of Representatives) and several agencies that provide support services to Congress. American citizens have the right to vote for senators and representatives through free, confidential ballots.
Senate - There are two elected senators per state, totaling 100 senators. A senate term is six years and there's no limit to the number of terms an individual can serve.
House of Representatives - There are 435 elected representatives, which are divided among the 50 states in proportion to their total population. There are additional non-voting delegates who represent the District of Columbia and the territories. A representative serves a two-year term, and there's no limit to the number of terms an individual can serve

5. Branch of Government Executive Branch
The executive branch carries out and enforces laws. It includes the president, vice president, the Cabinet, executive departments, independent agencies, and other boards, commissions, and committees.
American citizens have the right to vote for the president and vice president through free, confidential ballots.
Key roles of the executive branch include:
President - The president leads the country. He/she is the head of state, leader of the federal government, and commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces. The president serves a four-year term and can be elected no more than two times.
Vice President - The vice president supports the president. If the president is unable to serve, the vice president becomes president. He/she can serve an unlimited number of four-year terms.
The Cabinet - Cabinet members serve as advisors to the president. They include the vice president and the heads of executive departments. Cabinet members are nominated by the president and must be approved by the Senate (with at least 51 votes).

6. Branches of Government
Judicial Branch
The judicial branch interprets the meaning of laws, applies laws to individual cases, and decides if laws violate the Constitution.
The judicial branch is comprised of the Supreme Court and other federal courts.
Supreme Court - The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States. The justices of the Supreme Court are nominated by the president and must be approved by the Senate (with at least 51 votes). Congress decides the number of justices. Currently, there are nine. There is no fixed term for justices. They serve until their death, retirement, or removal in exceptional circumstances.
Other Federal Courts - The Constitution grants Congress the authority to establish other federal courts.

8. Citizen Rights and Responsibilities
U.S. citizens have the right to vote from age 18.
Citizens are encouraged to participate in their government.
Participation is essential to democratic government.
Rights
Responsibilities
Freedom to express yourself.
Freedom to worship as you wish.
Right to a prompt, fair trial by jury.
Right to vote in elections for public officials.
Right to apply for federal employment requiring U.S. citizenship.
Right to run for elected office.
Freedom to pursue “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
Support and defend the Constitution.
Stay informed of the issues affecting your community.
Participate in the democratic process.
Respect and obey federal, state, and local laws.
Respect the rights, beliefs, and opinions of others.
Participate in your local community.
Pay income and other taxes honestly, and on time, to federal, state, and local authorities.
Serve on a jury when called upon.
Defend the country if the need should arise.

9. Government-Canada Canada is a constitutional monarchy.
This means that the Queen or King of Canada is the head of state, while the Prime Minister is the head of government.
The Queen is represented in Canada by the Governor General, who is appointed by the Sovereign on the advice of the Prime Minister, usually for five years.
In each of the ten provinces, the Sovereign(Supreme ruler/Monarchy) is represented by the Lieutenant-Governor,
who is appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister, also normally for five years.
Democratic government led by a prime minister who oversees the parliament.
Limited Government

10. Government-Canada Three levels of government Municipal Federal
This is the level of government that governs a city, town or district (a municipality). Municipal governments are responsible for things, such as:
The federal government is based in Ottawa.
The Prime Minister heads the federal government.
public transportation
fire protection
It deals with national and international matters, such as:
local police
local land use
Provincial or Territorial
libraries
The provincial and territorial governments have the power to change their laws and manage their own public lands. Their responsibilities include:
parks
community water systems
roadways
parking
education;
Mayors lead municipal governments.
health care; and
road regulations.
A Premier leads each province and territory.

11. Parliament: House of Commons and the Senate
People elect members of the House of Commons.
Prime minister appoints members of the Senate.
Ten provincial governments are led by premiers.
Provincial and central system is similar to U.S. state and federal system.

12. Canadian Parliament Monarch Represented by Governor General
Executive Branch
Monarch
Represented by Governor General
(also called the Government) is the decision making branch,
Prime Minister
(runs the government)
and the cabinet
Senate
Appointed on the Prime Ministers recommendation
Legislative Branch
Judicial Branch
House of Commons
Elected by voters; government members
is the law-making
branch,
Supreme Court: nine judges appointed by the Governor General
Federal Court
Provincial Court
is a series of independent courts that interpret the laws passed by the other two branches

13. ECONOMY United States and Canada

14. United States-Economy
Largest economy in the world
Many natural resources, modern technologies, and jobs
Beneficial trade with Canada, Mexico, China, Japan, and Europe
1992: The North American Free Trade Agreement, NAFTA, has made trade easier with Mexico and Canada.

15. The United States has four regions—the Northeast, South, Midwest, and West.
Industrial and financial centers
Economy: banks, investment firms, insurance companies, respected universities
Rich farmland, coal, steel production, and fishing
Most densely populated region in the U.S. with 40 million people
Cities from Boston to Washington, D.C. form a megalopolis, or a string of large cities that have grown together.
Cities founded in colonial era became important seaports.
The South
Rich farmlands grow cotton, tobacco, and citrus fruit.
This region is becoming more urban and industrialized.
Atlanta metropolis has grown from 1 million in 1960 to 4 million today.
Research Triangle in North Carolina is growing high-tech area.
Texas Gulf Coast and lower Mississippi Rover areas have huge oil refineries and petrochemical plants.
Important trade centers with Mexico and Central and South American countries. E.g., Miami

16. United States-Economic Regions
The Midwest
One of the most productive farming regions in the world
Crops: corn, wheat, and soybeans
Dairy farms in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota
Major cities are located near the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers and the Great Lakes because products are easily shipped to and from these centers.
Detroit, Michigan, is the country’s leading automobile producer.
Chicago, Illinois, is the third largest city in the nation.
The West
Large open spaces with major cities on the Pacific Coast
More than 10 percent of the nation lives in California, where farming, technology, and entertainment are important industries.
Economy of other states: ranching and growing wheat
Mineral resources: coal, oil, gold, silver, copper, and others
Oregon and Washington: forestry and fishing
Seattle: Washington’s largest city with many industries.
Alaska: oil, forests, and fish
Hawaii: pineapple, sugarcane, and tourism

17. Canada Today-Economy
Canada’s economy is largely based on trade with the United States.
Industries
One of world’s leading mineral producers: titanium, zinc, iron ore, gold, and coal
Iron and steel industry supports plane, car, and household appliance manufacturing industries.
Tourism is a fast-growing service industry.
Trade
Canada’s economy depends on trade.
Canada and the U.S. have the world’s largest trading relationship.
60 percent of Canada’s imports are from the United States.
85 percent of Canada’s exports goes to the United States
Recent issues include a tariff on Canadian lumber and a 2003 case of mad cow disease.

18. Canada Today-Regions The Eastern Provinces
The Heartland
Includes Quebec and Ontario
Most urbanized region
French-speaking Montreal in Quebec is Canada’s second largest city.
Many residents of Quebec, or Quebecois, argue that Quebec should be independent or be given special privileges.
Ontario has a larger population than Quebec and is the manufacturing center.
Toronto, the capital of Ontario, is an industrial, financial, educational, and cultural center.
Ottawa, the capital of Canada, is in Ontario.
The Eastern Provinces
Includes Newfoundland, Labrador, and the Maritime Provinces
Maritime means on or near the sea.
Short growing season, so economy relies mostly on forestry and fishing
Both English and French-speaking people
Most people live in coastal cities.
Cities are industrial, fishing, and shipping centers.
Halifax, in Nova Scotia, is the region’s largest city.

19. Canada Today-Regions The Canadian North
The Western Provinces
Includes the prairie provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta and British Columbia
More people live in Quebec than in all the prairie provinces.
Wheat, oil, and natural gas production are important industries.
British Columbia
Four million people
Resources: forests, salmon, and minerals
— Vancouver is a coastal city that trades with Asia.
The Canadian North
Includes Yukon Territory, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut
Extremely cold due to location near Arctic Circle
Only 100,000 people although this region covers more than a third of Canada.
Nunavut is a new territory for the 30,000 native Inuit people who live there.
Mostly forest, tundra, and towns isolated by frozen waters of the Arctic Ocean.