1. 3 Levels of Government Federal, Provincial, Municipal

2. The Federal Government Canada is united under a federal system  In a federal system the government is divided into 3 LEVELS  Federal Gov’t (Current Leader: Stephan Harper)  Provincial Gov’t (Current Leader: Christi Clark)  Municipal Gov’t (Current Leader: Diane Watts)  Responsibilities: p224

3. Government Responsibilities  Federal Responsibilities  Provincial Responsibilities  Municipal Responsibilities

4. Shared Powers/Responsibilities  both FEDERAL and PROVINCIAL governments can create laws regarding: p224 (Fig. 9.5)  Immigration  Agriculture  Health Care  Natural Resources  Environmental Issues  The Fathers of Confederation assigned all new areas of decision- making that did not yet exist, or were not listed in 1867 to the FEDERAL GOV’T as residual (left over) powers.  This explains why cable television stations, computers, modems and faxes fall under Federal Gov’t responsibilities.

5. 3 Branches of Government Executive, Legislative, Judicial

6. The Parliamentary System  In Canada, Parliament is the highest branch of gov’t that can make laws  The powers of gov’t are divided into 3 braches  Legislative – law making  Executive – Prime Minister and his peeps (Cabinet)  Judicial - court system

7. The Trees of Power  Executive power of government:  makes decisions and administrate them (through the civil service)  Legislative power of government:  makes law and amends laws  Judicial power of government:  Court system  has the power to interpret and administer the law  power is separate from the other two branches to ensure gov’t acts within the boundaries of the Constitution  Judicial Power rests within the courts & judges

8. Branches of Federal Government

9. Legislative Branch of Federal Gov’t  Also called Parliament  Parliament is composed of:  Governor General  House of Commons (Cabinet)  The Senate  Parliament must meet once a year in what is called a SESSION.  Parliament’s Function: in each session, Parliament debates, makes and amends laws.  Question Period: where opposition parties challenge the government’s actions and raise any other issues that need to be addressed.