1. The Canadian Government

2. Canada: Three Levels of Government Canada has three levels of government 1. Federal Government (for all of Canada) 2. Provincial or territorial government (for a province or territory) 3. Municipal or local government (for local communities) In Canada Aboriginal self-government occurs at different levels:  First Nations, Inuit and Metis people are able to govern their own communities.

3. Responsibilities of Federal Government Federal Government makes decisions related to maters of nation wide importance.  Ex: Foreign Trade and relations  Currency  Defense  Immigration Pay for it: Income taxes, the GST (Goods and Services tax)

4. Provincial and Territorial Governments Responsible for:  Property and civil rights  Marriage license  Education  Alcohol (LCBO)  Driving  Taxes: sales tax, “sin taxes”= alcohol and tobacco.

5. Local Governments Responsible for services that affect the daily lives of people living in their communities.  Police/fire departments  Streets/roads  Transit  Water/sewage  Libraries  Etc...

6. Branches of Government in Canada Executive Branch  Job is to carry out the business of government. HEAD OF GOVERNMENT Stephen Harper Prime Minister of Canada

7. Head of State Canada is a constitutional monarchy meaning we have both a constitution and a monarchy. So our official head of state is: THE QUEEN: Elizabeth II But the Queen doesn’t live in Canada so she has her Representative here who is?

8. The Governor General Representative of the British Monarch in CDA. Gov. Gen is a figurehead meaning is symbolic leader only. Yet still follows tradition and appoints the PM and dissolves (closes) parliament  Used to be British but now Canadian  The PM selects the Governor General  Governor General provides “royal assent” meaning signs bills into laws.  Welcomes dignitaries  Reads the “speech from the throne” : the plans in a new session of government.

9. David Johnston

10. Lieutenant Governor lieutenant governor queen’s representative in each province. Appointment by PM for a term of 5 years. Duties include signing bills into law, reading the Speech from the Throne, and promoting the province.

11. The Prime Minister and Cabinet PM and his/her cabinet hold the real power of the federal executive branch. The PM is the leader of the political party with the most elected members of Parliament (MPs), in the House of Commons. MP’s work in the House of Commons. The cabinet is chosen by the PM following an election.

12. The Cabinet

13. The Cabinet cont... The PM chooses member of his/her cabinet from their political parties. Each cabinet member (MP) looks after their department also known as portfolios. Ex: Finance, Justice, Health, Defense.  They would then be known as the Minister of Finance.  Backbenchers: MP’s in the governing party who are not in the cabinet but who sit behind them in parliament.