1. CANADA’S GOVERNMENT
Democracy in Action

2. The Constitution Canada’s government is shaped by our constitution.
But, what does that mean?

3. What is a constitution?
A constitution is a plan that provides the rules for a government.
It outlines not only how the government should be organized but the processes of government and the rights of the people being governed.
Constitutions are frequently revised and expanded upon because their creators could not feasibly imagine every possible circumstance.

4. Canada’s Constitution
As we have already discussed, Canada is a constitutional monarchy.
Our current constitution was written in in 1982 but has its roots in the Constitution Act of 1867 (British North America Act) which established Canada’s confederation.

5. Canada’s Constitution
Queen Elizabeth II signs The Constitution Act of 1982 on Parliament Hill, on April 18th of that year.
Artistic depiction of the negations which lead to 1867’s Constitution Act.

6. The Levels of Government
The Constitution of Canada  divided the responsibilities of the Government into federal and provincial jurisdictions.
It also provided for the possibility of the provincial governments to delegate some of its responsibilities to a municipal government.

7. The Branches of Government
Every level of government (federal, provincial, municipal) is divided into 3 branches:
Executive
Legislative
Judicial

8. Federal Government The Executive:
Responsible for running the day-to-day business of the country
Proposes and enforces laws
Includes:
The Queen: Elizabeth II
Head of State (figurehead)
The Governor General:
David Johnston
Represents the Queen in Canada
Gives Royal Assent to laws

9. Federal Government The Prime Minister: Stephen Harper The Cabinet
Head of the Government
The Cabinet
Ministers run government departments
The RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) enforce federal laws across the country.
CSIS (Canadian Security and Intelligence Service) provides national security services.

10. Federal Government The Legislative Branch: Debates and passes laws
Includes the House of Commons and the Senate
Kitchener-Waterloo’s MP (member of parliament) Peter Braid

11. Federal Government The Senate The House of Commons
Consists of 105 members, appointed by the governor general base on advice of PM
96 seats are divided amongst 4 regions (Ontario/Quebec/ Maritime Provinces/Western Provinces)
The seats for Newfoundland and Labrador and the Territories are assigned apart from the regions
The House of Commons
Democratically elected body, consisting of 308 MPs
Seats are distributed to provinces based on population

12. Federal Government The House of Commons Senate
MPs assemble in the House to do the country’s business
To pass a bill, the government needs the support of “one half plus one”
The House is mediated by the Speaker of the House, is elected by the MPs through a secret ballot and is expected to be impartial
Senate
A major purpose of the Senate, initially, was to veto irresponsible bills passed by the House of Commons
Today, the Senate rarely vetoes legislation passed by the house
All bills need to pass in the Senate in order to become laws
Besides making suggested amendments to bills, Senators serve on parliamentary committees and commissions investigating important issues

13. The Federal Government
The Judicial Branch:
This is the court system
They interpret and enforce laws
Supreme Court of Canada is the highest in the country
Also includes Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal

14. Summary: The Roles of the Federal Government
Making Laws – PM, Cabinet, House of Commons, Senate, Governor-General
Interpreting Laws – Judicial Branch (courts)
Providing Services in lawful manner

15. TASK
So...What does the Prime Minster do anyways?

16. Provincial Government
Executive
Lieutenant Governor (David Onley)
Represents the Queen & gives Royal Assent
Premier (Dalton McGuinty)
Head of Government
Cabinet
Ministers who run Government Departments (ex. Education, Health)
OPP (Ontario Provincial Police)
Enforce laws across the province

17. Provincial Government

18. Provincial Government
Legislative:
Legislative Assembly
Queen’s Park (Toronto)
Only one house at this level (no Senate)
Waterloo’s MPP (Member of Provincial Parliament) is Catherine Fife (New Democrat)

19. Provincial Government
Judicial
Provincial courts, judges, jails
They try criminal and civil court cases

20. Municipal Government Executive Legislative Judicial Mayor City Council
Waterloo (Brenda Halloran)
Kitchener (Carl Zehr)
City Council
Waterloo Regional Police
Legislative
City Council makes “bylaws”
Only one house
Judicial
Local jails / detention centers