1. A Comparison of Canadian and United States Democracies
Democracy
A Comparison of Canadian and United States Democracies

2. American Democracy
US Democracy is not only about the Presidency ...

3. It is about Teamwork. Structured into a Federal System.
Federal Government
State Government
Municipal Government
Divided into Three BRANCHES of government.
Executive
Legislative
Judicial

4. Canadian Democracy work in similar ways …
There ARE differences:
same levels of government (Federalism)
we use Provinces instead of States
the key difference is the amount of control (jurisdiction) that Provincial governments have … much less than their State counterparts
We follow British government structure … USA developed theirs to be different from their past Masters.

5. THE CONSTITUTION The framework of all government The laws of the land
Explains how the country is organized and run

6. The Basics CANADA Constitutional Monarchy Federal State
Representation by population
Elected House of Commons (308) and appointed Senate (124)
THE UNITED STATES
Republic
Federal State
Representation by population
Election House of Representatives (435) and Senate (100)

7. Choosing Leaders Elected periodically
Prime Minister choose election dates, within 5 years (or due to a vote of Non-Confidence)
Canadians vote for MPs … indirectly voting for a Prime Minister and Party
Elections constitutionally set every 2nd, 4th, and 6th year in November.
Americans vote for:
Representatives (2yrs)
Senators (6yrs)
President (4years)

8. Leadership Choices
Very Complex, systems to choose leaders of each nation’s Political Parties

9. The Three Branches of Government
Executive Branch
Enforce/initiate Laws
President/Governors and their cabinets
Prime Minister, Premiers, the Crown, and their Cabinets
Legislative Branch
Pass bills into Law
Congress
Parliament
Judicial Branch
interpret all law
determine its fairness … if it is constitutional or NOT. (CANNOT create law.)
State and Supreme Court
Provincial/Supreme Court

10. Interpreting Law Passing Law

11. Interpreting Law
Passing Law

12. American Structure: Checks and Balances

13. Preventing Government Abuse of Power
American Democracy designed to ensure that no ONE branch can control the others … they must work TOGETHER to accomplish the goals of Society:
ultimately, they must protect the CONSTITUTION … ensuring peace, freedom, and security for all.