sir john a macdonald on 1867, the father of confederation created parliament to make canada’s laws...

Sir John A MacDonald

On 1867, the Father of Confederation created parliament to make Canada’s laws and to govern the country. The parliament of Canada includes the Queen, represented by the Governor General, the Senate and

the House of Commons.People in each part of the country vote

for the person they want to have represent them in the House of

Commons.

The Three Levels of Government

Where you live Level of government that is in charge

Ottawa =municipal

Ontario=provincial

Canada=federal

Which level of government would be in charge of the following things?

ROADS

SCHOOL/EDUCATION

DEFENSE

MUNICIPAL•Parks

•Roads

•Library

•Garbage and Recycling

•Snow removal

•Animal control

•Public transportation

PROVINCIAL•Education

•Health care

•Natural Resources and Environment

•Property

FEDERAL•Trade and commerce

•Post office

•National Defense

•Banking

•Criminal Law

•Citizenship

•Relations with other countries

•Immigration

•Protecting rights of Quebec, French language and equal rights

•Our current Prime Minister, Stephen Harper is the leader of this party

•Concerned with money and taxes

•Spends money on social programs

•Gives support to minorities and immigrants

•Opposition

•Reduce poverty

•Equality for all

•Environmental awareness

•FIRST PAST THE POST

•THE ONE WITH THE MOST VOTES WINS

•WE DON’T VOTE DIRECTLY FOR OUR PRIME MINSITER

What is the House of Commons?

It is one of the three branches of Parliament.

Parliament consists of: QueenSenate House of Commons.

The QueenCanada is a constitutional monarchy. This means that the laws

government Canada recognize the Queen as the formal Head of State. All federal laws are made in the Queen’s name. She also

performs many important ceremonial duties when visiting Canada.

The Governor General

-presides over the swearing-in of the prime minister, the Chief Justice of Canada and cabinet ministers. One of the governor general’s most important responsibilities is to ensure that Canada always has a prime minister and a government in place. In the case of the death of a prime minister, it is the governor general’s responsibility to ensure the continuity of government.

The governor general has important parliamentary responsibilities. Canada’s Parliament consists of three parts: the House of Commons, the Senate and the governor general. It is the governor general who summons Parliament, sets out

the government’s program by reading the Speech from the Throne, and gives Royal Assent, which makes acts of

Parliament into law.

The 308 elected Members of Parliament make up the House of Commons. This number includes the Prime Minister and Cabinet

Ministers. Members of Parliament do many things:They are elected to represent Canadians in their riding and travel

regularly between their offices in Ottawa and at home. They introduce, debate and pass federal laws. They investigate and debate current concerns.

The House of Commons is one of the three parts of Parliament, along with the Senate and the Crown.

Who are MP’s They are Members of Parliament.

Members of Parliament are men and women from different regions, cultures and walks of life. They include farmers, lawyers, teachers,

doctors, business people and others elected to come to the house of Commons where they discuss, debate and vote on matters important to

the whole country.

MP’s also:

•Attend committee meeting;

•Do research;

•Help solve peoples problems;

•Make speeches;

•Answer questions from reporters;

•Take part in conferences, ceremonies and other events;

•Help constituents in their ridings;

•Represent Canada in other parts of the world.

What happens in the House of Commons?

The Parliament of Canada's job is to pass bills to make laws. All laws originate in the House of Commons, are approved by the

Senate, and are signed by the figurehead representative of the Queen, the Governor General.

Who’ s who in the House of Commons?Certain people have special jobs to make the whole system

run well.

Who is the Canada’s current Prime Minister?

The Prime Minister is the leader of

the party in power and head of the

Government.

The Prime Minister lives at 24 Sussex Drive,a home originally named Gorffwysfa,

Welsh for “a place of peace.”

The Leader of the Opposition is the leader

of the political party with the second largest number of MP’s in the

House.

Who is the current leader of the

opposition? Can you name the political party of the official

opposition?

Thomas Mulcair

The Leader of the Opposition lives in Stornoway House

The Speaker acts as a reference to make

sure everyone follows the rules and

traditions of the House.Who is the

current speaker of the

house?

Andrew Scheer

Cabinet Ministers are chosen by the

Prime Minister. Each Minister is in charge of a certain area, or

ministry, from fishing to framing to

finances.

Can anyone name a cabinet

minister?

Rona AmbroseHealth

Cabinet meets around this oval table.

The Senate consists of 105 Senators who remain in office from the time of their appointment until age 75

What do Senators do:

They are appointed to represent Canadians by regions and groups. They carefully study bills introduced in the Senate and in the House of

Commons and suggest changes before a bill passes as law. They research issues of concern to Canadians and make

recommendations.

How do you become a senator?•Be a Canadian citizen;•Be at 30 years of age;•Own $4,000 of equity in land in the home province or territory;•Have a personal net worth of $4,000; and•Live in the home province or territory

CANADA'S CHAMBERS OF PARLIAMENT

THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

THE SENATE

·308 elected Members of Parliament (MPs). ·104 Senators

·Lower House, first step in approving laws.·Upper House, final step in approving laws.

·All MP elections held simultaneously when the Prime Minister calls an election.

·Directly appointed by the Prime Minister (No elections).

·No term limits ·Senators serve until age 75.

Current Party Standings:Current Party Standings (as of

2006):

Conservative Party- 162 Seats(Governing Party)

New Democratic Party -97 Seats(Opposition Party)

Liberal Party- 37 Seats Bloc Quebecois- 2 Seats

Green Party - 2Independant- 7

Vacant – 1TOTAL = 308

Liberal Party of Canada- 58 Seats

Conservative Party- 20 Seats

Progressive Conservative Party- 3 Seats

Independents- 5 Seats

Empty Seats- 18

First ReadingFirst ReadingThe bill is considered read for the 1st time and is printed.

Second Reading Second Reading Members debate the bill’s principle.

Committee StageCommittee StageCommittee members study the bill clause by clause.

Report StageReport StageMembers can make other amendments.

Third ReadingThird ReadingMembers debate and vote on the bill.

SenateSenateThe bill follows a similar process.

Royal AssentRoyal Assent The bill receives Royal Assent after being passed by both Houses.