1. Foundations of the Canadian Government

2. Canadian Government
Canada’s government can be described as having four features:
Representative Democracy
Constitutional Monarchy
Federal System
(Multi) Party System

3. Direct Democracy
Direct Democracy came before Representative democracy

4. 1. Representative Democracy
Representative = people vote to choose their leaders, and the leaders make decisions for them.
Governments are accountable to make decisions that the people who gave them power will like.

5. 2. Constitutional Monarchy
Head of state is Queen Elizabeth II
Monarch’s power is limited by a constitution.
Represented by the Governor General
Country is led by a prime minister, not a president.

7. Governor General David Johnstone

8. Federal System Three levels of government:
Provincial
Municipal
Each level of government is given special powers. Its sort of like marriage roles.
All levels of government can make laws, but the Federal government prevails when the laws are in conflict.

9. Residual Powers
Residual Powers – Decision making not in the 1867 constitution given to the Federal government.

10. Power is divided between levels of government.
Federal System:
Power is divided between levels of government.

11. (Multi) Party System
Party system means that Canada has several political parties who have distinct ideologies.
Political ideology – Is based on a common set of beliefs.

12. Party System Canada’s major political parties

13. Minor Parties