2. Roots of the Canadian Government
The principal features of our democratic government is that
it is both
A) Representative (not Direct)
B) A Constitutional Monarchy
3. Representative
- Democracy literally means “rule by the people”
- Direct Democracy means that every eligible citizen participated
directly by voting in all the decisions that affected society
(Greeks)
- In a REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY citizens allow elected
officials to act on their behalf
- Why?
4. Constitutional Monarchy
- Recognition of the monarch (Queen
Elizabeth II) as the Head of State, represented
by the Governor General
- Not involved in everyday affairs (eg. Royal
assent) BUT represents a safeguard for our
democracy
- The Crown has ultimate power/authority to
ensure that no one can ignore the law (not
even the PM)
5.
6. Governor General
- Because the Queen has lots to do,
she has an appointed representative
to rule on her behalf in Canada.
- This person is called the Governor
General. They are appointed by the
Prime Minister. GG. David Johnston
7. How our Government Runs: The
Parliamentary System
- Because our government is Democratic, we have a
parliament that acts on behalf of the citizens
- The Parliament is made up of all the elected
representatives from throughout Canada. They are known
as Members of Parliament (MP’s)
- Canada’s Head of Government is the Prime Minister. He is
the leader of the elected party.
8. How our Government is structured
- Our Federal Government has three “Branches”
1) Executive Branch: has the power to administer and carry out laws, eg:
- setting the budget, making purchases for national defense,
running the day to day operations of Canada etc.
2) Legislative Branch: has the power to make and amend laws
- setting employment insurance levels, creating taxes on carbon
emissions
3) Judicial Branch: Has the power to decide who has broken those laws and how
to set penalties
9. Executive Branch: PM
- Comprised of the Prime
Minister, the Cabinet, and
the Governor General
10.
11. Legislative Branch: House of Commons
- The House of Commons is
where the elected MP’s meet
to pass legislation and
govern the country
- Heated debates between
MP’s of different parties
12. Legislative Branch cont.: The Senate
- The Senate overlooks Bills (pieces of legislation) that have
been passed by the House of Commons. Very rarely do they
refuse a bill that has been passed by the H.O.C.
- The Senate is not an elected body. Members of the Senate
are appointed by the Prime Minister.
- Being chosen for the Senate is seen as a “reward” for
public service. Senators can hold office (and collect their
nice large salaries $$$) until they are 75. Some people think
the senate should be abolished…
13.
14. Judicial Branch
- The Judiciary is separate from the other two branches to
ensure that the government acts within the boundaries of
the Constitution and the law.
- Judges act as "referees" of private rights and interpreters
of the Constitution
- Supreme Court, Federal Court, Provincial Court, Tax Court
