1. Government Structures

2. Why do we have different levels of government?
Canada is a huge country - approximately 10 million square kilometres
To meet the needs of all regions in the country Canada has a multi-level system of government known as FEDERALISM
Federalism – multi-level system of government
Each level has its own leader with specific powers and responsibilities, written in Canadian Constitution

3. Levels of government Level of Government Who it serves Leader
Municipal
Local
Mayor
Provincial or territorial
Regional
Premier
Federal
National
Prime minister

4. Each level of government has its own responsibilities
Municipal
Provincial and Territorial
Federal
Animal control
Emergency services
Garbage and sewage
Land-use planning
Public transit
Water
Education
Health
Environment
Property and civil rights
Highway
Aboriginal affairs
Citizenship and immigration
Fisheries
Foreign affairs
National defence
Shipping and railways

5. Spending by all levels in 2009
Spending by all levels of government, by level (2009)
$ (Billions) %
Municipal level 74
12%
Provincial level
316
50%
Federal level
243
38%
TOTAL
631
100%

6. Spending by all 3 governments
$ billions %
Social services (employment insurance)
190
30%
Health
122
19%
Education 96
15%
Protection (police, prisons, military) 51 8%
Interest charges on debt 44 7%
Transportation and communication 32 5%
Resource/industry development 20 3%
Environment 17
Other 59
10%
TOTAL
631
100%

7. In 2009, all 3 levels of government spent $631 billion.
Approximately $ per Canadian every year.
Is that more or less than you would have thought?

8. Do we need so many levels of government?
Would you call the prime minister if your garbage wasn’t picked up properly?
Would you call your local mayor to decide whether or not the country should go to war?
Separate levels of government make sense because there are local issues and national issues
About 3 million Canadians are employed by all levels of government to provide services to Canadians
Some people feel like the cost of multiple layers of government is too expensive, others feel it is necessary to keep Canada working and meeting diverse needs

9. Why do we need separate branches of government?
Think of government like a family – parents and children have different jobs and responsibilities, same with government
Federal and provincial governments are structured into 3 branches:
the LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
the EXECUTIVE BRANCH
the JUDICIAL BRANCH
Each branch has a specific role to play

10. Distribution of power Legislature has the power to make laws
Executive has the power to administer laws
Judiciary has the power to apply laws

11. Legislative Branch Makes laws
Elected members of Parliament that sit in the House of Commons
Appointed members of the senate (they check on laws passed by the MPs in the House of Commons)
* Represent citizens’ interest in government
* Debate and pass new laws – they can defeat a bill passed in the H of C or send it back for revision
Monitor government policies and actions

12. Executive Branch
Set policy, present budgets to the legislature, propose legislation, and implement laws passed by the legislature
Administer laws
Prime minister
Cabinet ministers (appointed by the PM from the elected representatives)

13. Judicial branch
They act as an independent third party in legal disputes and clarify the law (apply the law)
Strike down the law if it is unconstitutional
Who are they?
Judges and courts (appointed by the government however, they are safeguards to ensure that they are free to make independent decisions) – no political pressure