1. Branches and Level of Government

2. Role of Government
The federal, provincial, and municipal levels of government are three different levels of government with different jurisdictions of power
The federal government has three different branches:
Executive (Prime Minister, Cabinet, Civil Service)
Legislative (Parliament, Senate, House)
Judicial (Supreme Court, Federal Courts, Provincial Courts)

3. Executive Branch Consists of:
Prime Minister (Leader of the political
party with the most elected seats in the
House of Commons
Cabinet (High ranking members of
government)
Public Service (Government departments, Armed Forces, Crown corporations)
This is the decision-making branch of government.

4. Provincial Executive Federal Executive Premier Prime Minister
Leader of the federal government, leader of the party that won the federal election
Cabinet: Make key decisions , appointed Ministers who have Portfolios, examine and purpose new laws, appointed by P.M., member of party that won the federal election
Provincial Executive
Premier
Leader of the provincial government, leader of the party that won the provincial election.
Cabinet: Make key decisions, appointed Ministers, purpose and examine laws, hold key positions, members who won the provincial election.

5. Cabinet
The Governor General appoints Cabinet Ministers as per the Prime Minister’s recommendations. They are MPs who are given charge of a portfolio
Most important Ministries:
Finance: Jim Flaherty
Foreign Affairs: John Baird
Industry: Christian Paradis
Justice: Rob Nicholson
Health: Leona Aglukkaq
Defence: Peter MacKay

6. Legislative Branch Consists of:
Governor General (Representative of the monarch)
The House of Commons (Elected representatives – Members of Parliament)
The Senate (Appointed by the Governor General upon the Prime Minister’s recommendation
= PARLIAMENT
This branch of government has the power and responsibility to create laws.
The Senate is sometimes called the Upper House of Parliament. Senate votes on legislation after it has been passed in the House of Commons.

7. Governor General
Canada is a constitutional monarchy, and as such, the Governor General is the representative of the monarch
The Governor General is the
commander-in-chief of Canada
Represents Canada during State visits
abroad and receives Royal visitors,
heads of State and foreign ambassadors

8. The Opposition
The Party with the second greatest number of seats forms the Official Opposition
Keeps the government accountable, critiques government policy
Majority governments limit the power of the Official Opposition

9. Speaker of the House
Elected at the beginning of each new Parliament by MPs
Acts as a liaison between the Senate and Crown
Although the Speaker
remains a sitting MP, only
votes on matters in the
case of a tie

10. Senate Each region has a predetermined number of senators
Appointed by the Governor General upon the recommendation of the Prime Minister
Senators may propose laws, but not on financial issues

11. Senate and House of Commons

12. Judicial Branch Consists of:
The Supreme Court of Canada (Highest court of appeal, comprised of Chief Justice and 8 justices)
Federal Court of Canada (Legal disputes in the federal domain)
Provincial Courts (Family Court, Civil Court, Criminal Court)
This branch of government interprets the law, settles disputes, and decides on punishments in the Canadian court system

13. The legislative process
How a Bill become a Law

14. It is illegal to drag a dead horse down Yonge Street on a Sunday.
In Nova Scotia a person is not allowed to water their grass when it's raining.
Provincial
It is illegal to drag a dead horse down Yonge Street on a Sunday.
Municipal

15. It is illegal to watch or listen to encrypted broadcast which is not licensed by the Canadian Government.
Federal
Quebec law states that all business signs must be in French. If the owner wants English on the sign then the French print has to be twice as large as the English print.
Provincial

16. Comic books which depict any illegal acts are banned.
Federal
In Etobicoke, it is illegal to have more than 3.5 inches of water in a bathtub.
Municipal

17. What is the legislative process?
LEGISLATURE
An officially elected or otherwise selected body of people vested with the responsibility and power to make laws for a political unit, such as a state or nation.
Thus, the legislative process is the making of laws

18. In the Parliament of Canada, there is a clearly defined method for enacting legislation.
A bill must go through a number of specific stages in the House of Commons and the Senate before it becomes law

19. What is a Bill? Bill : the written document
The bill is introduced in House of Commons

21. House of Commons
First reading: occurs in House of Commons right after introduction
Second reading: MP’s from all parties debate about pros and cons until they come to a vote
IF the bills passes Second reading and votes in favour  examined in detail and if any amendments are made by the committee
Committee stage:
members of the public appear as witnesses to comment
committee members study the bill in detail, clause-by-clause
the committee adopts a report, with or without amendments
Third reading: takes place after all amendments have been passed/rejected
MP’s debate on the final form of the bill
IF it passes the 3rd reading, it is considered passed by House

22. The Senate Once it is passed by the house, it moves to the Senate
They follow the same process that had taken place in the House
First reading, second reading and third reading
IF the bill is passed by the Senate, it is not ready...

23. Governor General
Once the bill has been passed by the House AND the Senate –it goes to the Governor General for approval
The GG gives it the Royal Assent –the bill is now LAW!

24. Banned From High Schools
MP3 players, IPods and cell phones are now part of a Canadian student’s everyday equipment. Students download their favourite music, search the net, snap pictures, watch and record video, share media, talk, message, demonstrate their social status, and in some cases, irritate their peers and teachers during school time and disengage from learning and everyday life. Although students may use their cell phone as a legitimate emergency contact tool, organizer and a way to stay connected to parents, cellular phones have also been used to cheat on tests, to harass other students and to embarrass and violate the privacy of their teachers. In the Ontario Legislature, a private bill has been suggested that MP3 players, IPods and cellular phones should be banned from all high schools.

25. determine whether or not you think the bill to ban MP3 players, IPods and cell phones from all high school should be passed into law. Provide at least 3 reasons as to support your opinion

26. What is a By-Law? A law of local or limited application Examples???
Vehicle Parking
Animal Control
Building and Construction
Zoning
Noise

27. How is a by-law developed?
1. Identify a need
2. Council Support
3. Notice of motion
4. Draft by-law
5. Committee presentation
6. Committee Support
7. Final draft
8. Council approval
9. By-law in effect