1. Slide Deck 5: Levels of Government

2. What does a representative democracy mean?

3. What is a representative democracy?
Representatives (or politicians) are chosen by people to act and speak on their behalf in government (and pass laws)
These representatives are chosen through elections
Each representative is responsible for a different geographic area or community

4. Levels of Government
Canada has several levels of government and each has its own group elected representatives.
Federal
Provincial and territorial
Municipal
Indigenous

5. Federal
The elected representative is called a Member of Parliament (MP)
There are currently 338 elected MPs
MPs debate and pass laws in the House of Commons in Ottawa
The leader is called the prime minister
The Queen is represented by the governor general

6. Ontario Provincial
The elected representative is called a Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP)
There will be 124 MPPs after the June election
MPs debate and pass laws in the Legislative Assembly in Toronto
The leader is called the premier
The Queen is represented by the lieutenant governor

7. Do you know how the prime minister of Canada is chosen
Do you know how the prime minister of Canada is chosen? Do you know how the premier of Ontario is chosen?

8. How are the leaders decided?
At the provincial and federal level, most elected representatives are part of a political party (a group with shared interests and goals).
The political party with the most number of elected representatives usually forms government and their leader becomes the leader of the government.

9. Current leaders Justin Trudeau Kathleen Wynne Prime Minister
Liberal Party of Canada
183 representatives (out of 338)
Kathleen Wynne
Premier of Ontario
Ontario Liberal Party 83 representatives (out of 107)

10. Municipal Governments (Ontario)
The elected representative at the municipal level is called a councillor or alderman (not part of political party)
The size and structure of the council depends on the size of the community
The head of the council (leader) is called a mayor or reeve and they elected by all citizens living in the municipality
Municipal councils debate and pass laws at the city or town hall

11. Who is responsible for what in government?

12. Government Responsibilities
Federal = National/International issues
(Trade, immigration and citizenship, national defence, fisheries and oceans)
Provincial = Provincial issues
(Education, health care delivery, universities and colleges, transportation and highways)
Municipal = Local issues
(Roads and bridges, water and sewer service, recreation and community facilities, libraries, police and fire protection)

13. For some issues, the different levels of government have to work
together and share the responsibility.
This is called concurrency.
For example: environment, natural resources

14. First Nations, Métis and Inuit governments
Municipal/Local
First Nations, Métis and Inuit governments
The elected representative at the municipal level is usually called a councillor.
Municipal councils debate and pass laws at the local or city town hall.
The head of the council is called a mayor or reeve.
The size and structure of the council differs, depending on the population.
Some Indigenous communities and First Nations reserves have their own governments which share certain responsibilities with the provincial/territorial or federal government.
Consensus elected representatives do not belong to political parties.
The term self-government refers to a First Nation, Métis or Inuit community/nation with control over its own affairs. 

15. Can I contact my elected representatives?
YES!
Elected representatives expect to hear from their constituents when they have issues to discuss, or if they need help accessing government services.
In most cases your representative can be contacted by mail, , phone, or by appointment at their local constituency office.

16. Summary of Representatives
Federal = Member of Parliament
Provincial = Member of Provincial Parliament
Municipal = Local Councillor/Alderman

17. Consolidation What have you learned about government in Canada?
Is government important? Why or why not?
What issue in your community concerns you the most? Who can you contact?