1. Canada’s Federal and Provincial Governments

2. What makes government act, and how does government work?
Government makes decisions about many issues, such as:
Education
Military Spending
Environmental Issues
Health Care:

3. Today – what makes government act, and how does government work?
Why does government make these decisions?
Changing circumstances = need to change laws
Public opinion
Court Decisions – laws made by courts cause gov’ts to change and/or create laws
Election promises from party platforms

4. Today – what makes government act, and how does government work?
SO, how does government work?
Our government is organized into 3 BRANCHES
Legislative Branch
Executive Branch
Judicial Branch
See handout…

5. Today – what makes government act, and how does government work?
The THREE Branches of Government
and the Roots of Power (fill in your handout…)
What is the considered the “root” or supreme law of the land?
BNA Act of 1867 (write into first root of the tree, on the left)
Constitution Act of 1982 (write into middle root of the tree)
Laws & Traditions (write into last root of the tree, on the right)
Question: What is missing, which is fundamental to a democracy?
The People! (write on tree trunk)

6. Today – what makes government act, and how does government work?
The THREE Branches of Government
and the Roots of Power (fill in your handout…)
What is the Legislative Branch?
It is also called “Parliament”
Has the power to make, change, and repeal laws
Carries out plans and policies of the government in power
Includes House of Commons, Senate at federal level
Includes Legislative Assembly at provincial level

7. Today – what makes government act, and how does government work?
The THREE Branches of Government
and the Roots of Power
EXAMPLES of what the Legislative Branch does?
Recall: Has the power to make, change, & repeal laws
Sets unemployment insurance payment levels (federal)
Sets budgets and class sizes for education (provincial)
Makes waste disposal by-laws (municipal)

8. House of Commons - Members of Parliament (MP’s)
Legislative Branch The Branch that has the power to make and change laws
ALL of the branches
Exist at the FEDERAL
& PROVINCIAL
Levels
Federal Level
Provincial Level
Governor General
House of Commons - Members of Parliament (MP’s)
Senate (Senators)
Lieutenant-Governor
Legislative Assembly (Members of Provincial Parliament MPP’s)
Modelled after H of C
No Senate

9. Federal Level “Parliament” What do they do?
House of Commons
Senate
Where elected representatives (MP’s) meet to discuss/debate and vote on public issues
Number of seats in parliament determined by population of Canada (338 seats)
Debates are controlled by the Speaker of the House who is an MP that is chosen to be speaker by the other MP’s via secret ballot
The Senate may propose a bill or amend bills passed by the House of Commons
No bill can become law unless it has been passed by the senate
Senators are not elected rather appointed by the Governor General on recommendation of the Prime Minister. Can serve until they are 75.

10. In the House of Commons the leader of the political party that holds more seats than any other political party is known as the government.
The Leader of the Opposition is the 2nd largest party. They ensure that the view of all Canadians are represented in Parliament.

11. Question Period in the House of Commons
Four days a week – criticized for barely working
At this time the opposition members can raise issues and question government actions.
Purpose? “Checks & Balance” in government
To keep the government accountable for its actions
Ensure the Prime Minister does not have too much power
PM Harper & PM Jean Chretien were the only PMs in history to shut down “prorogue” Parliament-highly criticized!
Often televised and shown on the news…

12. Another explanation of Parliament…

13. Today – what makes government act, and how does government work?
The THREE Branches of Government
and the Roots of Power
What is the Executive Branch?
Has the power to administer and carry out laws
Includes the prime minister, the cabinet, and the public service at the federal level
Includes the premier, the cabinet, and the public service at the provincial level

14. Today – what makes government act, and how does government work?
The THREE Branches of Government
and the Roots of Power
EXAMPLES of what the Executive Branch does?
Recall: Has the power to administer & carry out laws. What are some examples of this?
Prepares national budget (federal)
Sets high school diploma requirements (provincial)
Inspects businesses and restaurants (municipal)

15. Today – what makes government act, and how does government work?
The THREE Branches of Government
and the Roots of Power
What is the Judicial Branch?
Has the power to decide who has broken the law and to set the penalties for breaking the law
Also interprets laws
Includes the courts & judges, separate from other branches
Includes the civil law (protection of rights) and criminal law (offences against the public or society)