1. Government and Politics
Overview

2. Prescribed Learning Outcomes:
demonstrate understanding of the political spectrum
explain how Canadians can effect change at the federal and provincial levels
explain how federal and provincial governments are formed in Canada
describe major provisions of the Canadian constitution, including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and assess its impact on Canadian society

3. Take Home Messages… Levels Branches Constitution
Explain how federal and provincial governments are formed in Canada
Branches and levels of Government
Canada as a constitutional monarchy
Where does the power lie?
Describe major provisions of the Canadian constitution, including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and assess its impact on Canadian society
Division of powers
Changing the constitution
Levels
Branches
Constitution

4. Bingo Pretest

5. Government: Levels What are the levels of government in Canada?
Federal (national)
Provincial/Territorial
Municipal (city)
How are each of these levels created or established?
Federal (national) BNA Act (1867) s. 91, Constitution Act (1982)
Provincial/Territorial ) BNA Act (1867) s. 92, Constitution Act (1982)
Municipal (city) Provincial legislation

6. Government: Levels Why do we have levels of government?
Mandated by law (Constitution)
History
Provincial identity/culture
Efficiency
Which level of government is most influential?

7. Government: Levels
Responsibilities Check List

8. Government: Branches
What are the branches that form governments in Canada?
Legislative
Executive
Judicial
Why do we have branches within the government?
Check and Balance
Efficiencies
Which branch is most influential?

9. Government: Branches LEGISLATIVE EXECUTIVE JUDICIAL Function Members
Bodies
Elected/
Appointed
Responsibilities

10. Government: Constitution
Why is Canada referred to as a Constitutional Monarchy?
What is the significance of this as our form of government?

11. Government: Constitution
Head of State
Head of Government

12. Government: Constitution
Why is Canada referred to as a Constitutional Monarchy?
What is the significance of this as our form of government?

13. Government: Constitution

14. Government: Constitution
IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
Section 91
Peace, order and good government…

15. Government: Constitution
Creation
BNA Act (1867)
Constitution Act (1982)
Details
Establishes the form and structure of the governance of the country
Is not the same thing as the Criminal Code
Is not the same as a regular piece of legislation
Changing the Constitution
What might we want to change within the constitution?
How should the constitution be changed?

16. Government: Constitution