1. Branches of Government Part II
Chapter 6: Canada in the Contemporary World

2. The Legislative Branch
Canada is a parliamentary democracy.
In Canada the legislative branch of the government is elected by the voters.
If the executive loses the support of the elected legislature, it must resign.

3. The House of Commons The House of Commons is our legislative body.
Members of parliament are elected from 338 ridings.
Ridings are geographical areas.
Each member represents the interests of the constituents .

4. The House of Commons
Constituents are voters and non-voters (everyone).
Ridings are also known as constituencies.
Most contain about 100,000 eligible voters.
Most MPs are affiliated with a political party.
If not that MP sits as an independent.
The House of Commons (1:56)

5. The House of Commons
To pass a bill the government needs the support of half of the MPs + 1 (170)
A majority government means that you have a minimum of 170 seats.
A minority government means you have more seats than another party but not the 170 needed for a majority.
Ideas for new bills are usually introduced by cabinet ministers.

6. The House of Commons
To become law a bill must be approved by a majority of MPs.
If the government fails to pass and important bill like the budget, it loses the confidence of the House.
There will be a vote of non-confidence or the government resigns.
After the government is defeated the governor general will call for an election to elect a new government or ask the opposition to form the government.

7. The speaker of the House of Commons
The speaker is elected to the position by all the elected MPs in the House of Commons.
A secret ballot is performed for this function.
The speaker sits on a raised platform in the middle of the House.
The speaker is the person all MPs address while talking on the floor.
Who is the speaker now?
Geoff Regan since December 3, 2015

8. The Senate The Senate is the Upper House of the legislative branch.
The House of Commons is known as the Lower House.
A major purpose of the Senate was to veto irresponsible bills passed by the Lower House.
It was thought in 1867 that the representatives of the common people could not be trusted to run the government without being overseen by the upper classes.
The Senate (2:45)

9. The Senate
In 1930, Cairine Wilson, the first woman senator was appointed.
Since 1965 senators have been required to retire by the age of 75.
Known as the chamber of “sober second thought.”
Senators are appointed by the prime minister.

10. The Senate
Now a days the Senate rarely vetoes a legislation passed by the elected House of Commons.
There are 105 senators distributed as:
Ontario 24
Quebec 24
Nova Scotia 10
New Brunswick 10
Prince Edward Island 4
Manitoba, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Newfoundland 6 each
Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon 1 each

11. The Legislative Assembly
The legislative branches of Canada’s 10 provinces are almost mirror images of the House of Commons.
In Manitoba and most provinces, elected representatives are the members of the legislative assembly (MLA).
In Quebec the members of the National Assembly (MNA).
In Ontario the members of provincial parliament (MPP).
Manitoba has 57 provincial ridings.

12. The Legislative Assembly
MLAs follow the same procedures as their MP counterparts in the federal government.
There is a:
Speaker
The government party
The official opposition
Question period
The mace
Parliamentary etiquette
Etc.
One difference is that provincial governments have no Senate.

13. Territorial Legislative Assemblies
About 100,000 people live in Canada’s three territories:
Yukon
The Northwest Territories
Nunavut
Each territory has a:
commissioner (same as the lieutenant governor)
A premier
A legislative assembly
Territories have less power than provinces.

14. Territorial Legislative Assemblies
The legislatures of the territories maintain Aboriginal political traditions.
Decisions are based on consensus.
Legislatures are non-partisan (no political parties)
The elected officials vote to reach an agreement by the group as a whole.
Elders are consulted before any policy or bill is passed into law. (Senate?)

15. Local Government Councils
The head of a municipal government in a town or city is a mayor.
In rural areas they are called reeves.
They are directly elected by the people.
This person leads a group of councillors.
The geographical regions are called wards.
Citizens can often have the most direct contact with and the biggest impact on government at the local level.
Social reforms and change often occur at this level first.
Band councils pass bylaws for Aboriginal groups.

16. The Judicial Branch: Federal and Provincial/Territorial Levels
The judicial branch of the government deals with:
The law courts
The administration of justice.
Interpret the countries laws.
Some examples of the work of the judicial branch are:
Do governments have the right to regulate tobacco products?
Does a province have the right to separate from Canada?

17. The Supreme Court of Canada
The highest court in the land.
During an appeal the supreme court is the last stop.
Consists of a Chief Justice and eight other judges.
They are all appointed by the prime minister.
In the past they have ruled on:
Sunday shopping prohibitions are illegal.
Same-sex marriages are constitutional.

18. Provincial and Territorial Courts
Each province has courts to enforce federal and provincial laws in criminal and civil cases.
Each province also has a court of appeal.
Appeals are usually heard by a panel of three judges.
The courts of appeal also hear constitutional questions that may be raised in appeals involving individuals, governments, or governmental agencies.

19. THE END