1. Canadian Government Go to pg.50 in the text and copy out diagram The Government of Canada into your notes.

2. Canada’s Federal Government The Monarch The Monarch The BNA (British North American) Act 1867, recognized the British monarch as Canada’s official head of state. Her role is, in reality, only ceremonial. The BNA (British North American) Act 1867, recognized the British monarch as Canada’s official head of state. Her role is, in reality, only ceremonial. The Queen is represented in Canada by the governor general (David Johnston) The Queen is represented in Canada by the governor general (David Johnston) Unelected head of state Unelected head of state Duties include: signing bills passed by Parliament, making public appearances, receiving foreign heads of state, ambassadors and dignitaries. He or she is supposed to act as a unifying symbol for all Canadians. Duties include: signing bills passed by Parliament, making public appearances, receiving foreign heads of state, ambassadors and dignitaries. He or she is supposed to act as a unifying symbol for all Canadians.

3. 1) Executive Branch = PM + Cabinet Prime Minister (PM)- Stephen Harper Prime Minister (PM)- Stephen Harper PM is head of Canada’s government PM is head of Canada’s government PM must be elected as a leader of his or her political party PM must be elected as a leader of his or her political party AND the PM must then be elected as a member of Parliament or MP. AND the PM must then be elected as a member of Parliament or MP. The leader of the political party that wins the most seats (election of MPs) in the House of Commons becomes the PM. The leader of the political party that wins the most seats (election of MPs) in the House of Commons becomes the PM.

4. The Cabinet includes people with responsibility for different departments and agencies. The Cabinet includes people with responsibility for different departments and agencies. Members of the Cabinet are called Cabinet Ministers Members of the Cabinet are called Cabinet Ministers The PM chooses cabinet ministers and assigns portfolios or department. The PM chooses cabinet ministers and assigns portfolios or department. The Cabinet and the PM carry out the day- to-day business of the government and they propose most of the ideas that become laws. The Cabinet and the PM carry out the day- to-day business of the government and they propose most of the ideas that become laws.

5. Federal Government Departments Department of : Department of : -Fisheries & Oceans -Environment -National Defence -Citizenship and Immigration - Human Resources Peter Mackay, Minster of National Defence giving an update on Canadian Forces deployment. John Baird, Minister of the Environment (again)

6. 2) Legislative Branch= House of Commons + Senate The House of Commons is the major law-making body of the government The House of Commons is the major law-making body of the government Members of the HoC (MPs) debate, study, and vote on bills which becomes laws if passed. Members of the HoC (MPs) debate, study, and vote on bills which becomes laws if passed. Each elected MP represents voters of one riding or district. Each elected MP represents voters of one riding or district. An MP’s to key responsibilities : An MP’s to key responsibilities : a) represent their constituents (voters) b) create effective legislation (or law)

7. Seats in the House of Commons are represented by population Seats in the House of Commons are represented by population - provinces are divided into ridings and each MP in the House of Commons is elected for the riding they represent - that means that the #of seats each province has is directly related to the population of that province SO, WHO WOULD HAVE THE MOST SEATS? http://www.parl.gc.ca/SenatorsMembers/House/PartyStandings/standings- e.htm

8. 308 Seats in the House of Commons Newfoundland & Labrador = 7 Pop. 509,000 Newfoundland & Labrador = 7 Pop. 509,000 Prince Edward Island = 4 Pop. 142,000 Prince Edward Island = 4 Pop. 142,000 Nova Scotia = 11Pop. 942,000 Nova Scotia = 11Pop. 942,000 New Brunswick = 10Pop. 751,000 New Brunswick = 10Pop. 751,000 Quebec = 75Pop. 7,907,400 Quebec = 75Pop. 7,907,400 Ontario = 106Pop. 13, 210,700 Ontario = 106Pop. 13, 210,700 Manitoba = 14Pop. 1,235,400 Manitoba = 14Pop. 1,235,400 Saskatchewan = 14Pop. 1,045,600 Saskatchewan = 14Pop. 1,045,600 Alberta = 28Pop. 3,720,900 Alberta = 28Pop. 3,720,900 British Columbia = 36Pop. 4,531,000 British Columbia = 36Pop. 4,531,000 Yukon = 1Pop. 34,500 Yukon = 1Pop. 34,500 North West Territories = 1Pop. 43,800 North West Territories = 1Pop. 43,800 Nunavut = 1Pop. 33,200 Nunavut = 1Pop. 33,200 TOTAL : 308TOTAL Pop: 34,108,800 in Canada Conservatives 166, NDP 103, Liberal 34, BQ 4, Green 1 http://www40.statcan.gc.ca/l01/cst01/demo02a-eng.htm

9. The members of the Senate are called Senators Unlike MPs, Senators are appointed (NOT elected) by the PM. The members of the Senate are called Senators Unlike MPs, Senators are appointed (NOT elected) by the PM. The Senate considers bills passed by the House of Commons The Senate considers bills passed by the House of Commons Senators provide a second round of study, debate and voting (sober second thought) Senators provide a second round of study, debate and voting (sober second thought) A bill cannot become a law until the House of Commons AND the Senate pass it. A bill cannot become a law until the House of Commons AND the Senate pass it.

10. Senators are appointed by regional divisions within the country Senators are appointed by regional divisions within the country Seats in the Senate are represented regionally and equally: Seats in the Senate are represented regionally and equally: - 24 for Ontario - 24 for Quebec - 24 for the Maritime provinces - 24 for the Western provinces - 6 for Newfoundland and Labrador (joined confederation in 1949 and is not assigned to any region) - 1 for each of the Yukon, NWT, and Nunavut.

11. 3) Judicial Branch = courts (Supreme Court of Canada, Federal and Provincial courts) Includes all of Canada’s courts of law Includes all of Canada’s courts of law All members come from the legal profession All members come from the legal profession The Supreme Court is the highest court in the country and has the final say in all legal questions in the country. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the country and has the final say in all legal questions in the country. See Canada’s court system diagram and copy into notes (pg. 66) See Canada’s court system diagram and copy into notes (pg. 66)