Canadian GovernmentCanadian Government

IntroductionIntroduction

What is a Government?What is a Government?

One of the oldest and most important One of the oldest and most important institutions since the dawn of civilization is institutions since the dawn of civilization is

government. government. The term government means a The term government means a group which exercises power.group which exercises power. Every society Every society needs people to make decisions and enforce needs people to make decisions and enforce

decisions that affect the conduct of the group.decisions that affect the conduct of the group.

Elements of GovernmentsElements of Governments

There are a number of common elements found in all There are a number of common elements found in all governments. They are:governments. They are:

Rules of Conduct:Rules of Conduct: Rules to govern the lives of its members. Rules to govern the lives of its members.

Authority:Authority: The people are governed by a supreme power or The people are governed by a supreme power or authority.authority.

Acceptance:Acceptance: The people give the government the right to exercise The people give the government the right to exercise power.power.

Jurisdiction:Jurisdiction: The area over which the government had the right or The area over which the government had the right or power to enforce rules or laws.power to enforce rules or laws.

Law Enforcement:Law Enforcement: The power and ability to impose the The power and ability to impose the government’s rules and laws. government’s rules and laws.

Types of GovernmentTypes of Government

Anarchism:Anarchism: The absence of government. The people believe The absence of government. The people believe that the government conflicts with personal liberty and are that the government conflicts with personal liberty and are unnecessary. unnecessary.

They would get rid of all public governments and lets only They would get rid of all public governments and lets only individuals and private groups govern the activities of a individuals and private groups govern the activities of a country.country.

Just as many people view this type of Just as many people view this type of government as Chaos as those who see it as government as Chaos as those who see it as Utopia. Either way, this type of government has Utopia. Either way, this type of government has proved ineffective for growth and developmentproved ineffective for growth and development

Dictatorship:Dictatorship: When a ruler or rulers have no When a ruler or rulers have no restrictions on their power. They have exclusive restrictions on their power. They have exclusive control over the government and the people have control over the government and the people have little to no say in the running of the country. A little to no say in the running of the country. A dictator usually obtains and maintains their dictator usually obtains and maintains their power through violence and trickery. power through violence and trickery.

Totalitarianism:Totalitarianism: An extreme version of An extreme version of dictatorship when the government not only dictatorship when the government not only controls the running of the country, but also controls the running of the country, but also the daily lives of it’s citizens. They destroy the daily lives of it’s citizens. They destroy institutions like churches, unions, and institutions like churches, unions, and corporations and demand total loyalty to the corporations and demand total loyalty to the government. They use force and terrorism government. They use force and terrorism to enforce their rule.to enforce their rule.

Communism:Communism: The government is tightly controlled by one, and the The government is tightly controlled by one, and the only, political party. There is no freedom of choice for the leaders only, political party. There is no freedom of choice for the leaders and the people have little to no say in the running of the and the people have little to no say in the running of the government. The Communist Party’s job is to run the businesses, government. The Communist Party’s job is to run the businesses, pool resources, and decide who gets what. There pool resources, and decide who gets what. There

are no private enterprises and many restrictions on are no private enterprises and many restrictions on

what citizens can own, what groups they can what citizens can own, what groups they can

belong to, and what they can say and do.belong to, and what they can say and do. Monarchy:Monarchy: A form of government in which the head A form of government in which the head

of state inherits or is elected to the throne for a of state inherits or is elected to the throne for a lifetime. Monarchs have a variety on names such as lifetime. Monarchs have a variety on names such as queen, prince, emperor, ni a variety of governments. queen, prince, emperor, ni a variety of governments. Traditionally the monarch’s power is absolute and Traditionally the monarch’s power is absolute and was responsible only to God. Today many remaining was responsible only to God. Today many remaining monarchs’ power is symbolic, leaving the running of monarchs’ power is symbolic, leaving the running of their countries to the various governing bodies.their countries to the various governing bodies.

Democracy:Democracy: In a direct democracy, the people govern In a direct democracy, the people govern themselves. They make laws for theitr community together. themselves. They make laws for theitr community together. However this only works in small communities where However this only works in small communities where everyone has a direct voice in decisions made. everyone has a direct voice in decisions made.

Larger communities have indirect democracy. Larger communities have indirect democracy. Representatives are elected by communities to Representatives are elected by communities to represent them when decisions are made by therepresent them when decisions are made by the government. They are elected by a vote.government. They are elected by a vote.

In a democratic country, people have almost In a democratic country, people have almost unlimited opportunities to make the government unlimited opportunities to make the government truly representative. Many people take part in the truly representative. Many people take part in the process of their government by supporting a process of their government by supporting a political party. Political parties run against each political party. Political parties run against each other. The party who gets the most votes by the other. The party who gets the most votes by the citizens generally create the government. citizens generally create the government.

A democratic government with a capitalist or mixed economy A democratic government with a capitalist or mixed economy has provided greater prosperity for more people without major has provided greater prosperity for more people without major sacrifices of personal liberty than any other system of sacrifices of personal liberty than any other system of government.government.

Pluralism:Pluralism: is found in countries where public is found in countries where public and private groups have acceptance and can and private groups have acceptance and can affect the way a country is run. Groups affect the way a country is run. Groups representing business, farming, labour, ethnic, representing business, farming, labour, ethnic, or racial groups can affect the way a country or racial groups can affect the way a country is run.is run.

Constitutional and ParliamentaryConstitutional and Parliamentary: Most : Most major countries have some sort of constitution major countries have some sort of constitution in place. It is a basic set of laws by which the in place. It is a basic set of laws by which the people are governed. Parliamentary or cabinet people are governed. Parliamentary or cabinet governments means the country is governed by governments means the country is governed by a representative group. In Canada, the Prime a representative group. In Canada, the Prime Minister and Cabinet are the top executives but Minister and Cabinet are the top executives but and also members of parliament- they are under and also members of parliament- they are under its direct control and are responsible to it. A its direct control and are responsible to it. A country can be run under a parliamentary country can be run under a parliamentary government that abides by a constitution. government that abides by a constitution.

QuestionsQuestions

Why does Canada need a gov’t system?Why does Canada need a gov’t system?

What are the pros and cons of the What are the pros and cons of the Canadian gov’t system?Canadian gov’t system?

If you had to change our gov’t to a If you had to change our gov’t to a different system, which system would different system, which system would you choose and why?you choose and why?

Function of GovernmentFunction of Government

A government is the machinery set up by individuals A government is the machinery set up by individuals to enable them to do what other cannot do on their to enable them to do what other cannot do on their own. Without some form of government there would own. Without some form of government there would be no order or protection for people and their be no order or protection for people and their property. A government’s basic task is to make a set property. A government’s basic task is to make a set of laws to allow people in a society to live together in of laws to allow people in a society to live together in peace and security. A government also makes sure peace and security. A government also makes sure laws are obeyed and sets up punishment or penalties laws are obeyed and sets up punishment or penalties that protect the interests of the people as a whole that protect the interests of the people as a whole against the greed or ambition of any one person or against the greed or ambition of any one person or group.group.

TasksTasks

There are many different kings of governments There are many different kings of governments but they all carry out three main tasks or but they all carry out three main tasks or functions. They are legislative, executive, and functions. They are legislative, executive, and judicial. The legislative function is the making judicial. The legislative function is the making of laws or the passing of legislation. The of laws or the passing of legislation. The executive function is putting the laws into executive function is putting the laws into effect on a daily basis. The judicial function is effect on a daily basis. The judicial function is to decide if an individual has broken societal to decide if an individual has broken societal laws and to bring justice.laws and to bring justice.

Canada’s GovernmentCanada’s Government

The government of Canada has been described The government of Canada has been described as a democracy, a monarchy, a parliamentary as a democracy, a monarchy, a parliamentary system, a cabinet government, and a federal system, a cabinet government, and a federal

government.government.

Canada is considered a democracy because we Canada is considered a democracy because we use a system where the citizens of the country use a system where the citizens of the country freely choose the people who will govern freely choose the people who will govern them. We elect others to represent us in them. We elect others to represent us in governing the country by voting.governing the country by voting.

Canada’s government has also been described Canada’s government has also been described as a monarchy.as a monarchy.

We are still part of the British Commonwealth; We are still part of the British Commonwealth; therefore, Queen Elisabeth II of England is therefore, Queen Elisabeth II of England is also the queen of Canada. also the queen of Canada.

She is represented by the governor general. She is represented by the governor general. Even though they are technically at the top of Even though they are technically at the top of the governmental hierarchy, neither the Queen the governmental hierarchy, neither the Queen nor the Governor General play a major role in nor the Governor General play a major role in our government.our government.

Canada’s government has also been Canada’s government has also been described as a parliamentary described as a parliamentary government and a cabinet government. government and a cabinet government. Our parliament consists of the Our parliament consists of the Governor General, the Senate, and the Governor General, the Senate, and the House of Commons. House of Commons.

The Cabinet consists of members of the The Cabinet consists of members of the House of Commons or Senate who are House of Commons or Senate who are elected by the Prime Minister into the elected by the Prime Minister into the Cabinet in order to deal with the many Cabinet in order to deal with the many issues facing Canadians today. issues facing Canadians today.

Our government is also referred to as a federal system of Our government is also referred to as a federal system of government. This means our government has a system in government. This means our government has a system in which the power to make laws is shared between two levels of which the power to make laws is shared between two levels of government- a national or central government (federal) and government- a national or central government (federal) and provincial governments. Within the provinces, there are provincial governments. Within the provinces, there are municipal governments that look after towns and/or districts. municipal governments that look after towns and/or districts. All three work independently for the common good of all of All three work independently for the common good of all of Canada.Canada.

Canada’s GovernmentCanada’s Government

Questions:Questions:

What is overall the function of the What is overall the function of the government?government?

What is the function of the Governor What is the function of the Governor General?General?

What are the three levels of the What are the three levels of the Canadian government?Canadian government?

The Prime MinisterThe Prime Minister

The head or leader of Canada is called the Prime The head or leader of Canada is called the Prime Minister. He or she is also the leader of the majority Minister. He or she is also the leader of the majority party in the House of Commons and id directly party in the House of Commons and id directly elected by the people. The office of the Prime elected by the people. The office of the Prime Minister has no fixed term. However, general Minister has no fixed term. However, general elections are held every five years. The Prime elections are held every five years. The Prime Minister holds office only with the backing of the Minister holds office only with the backing of the majority. If a Prime Minister loses support through a majority. If a Prime Minister loses support through a vote of non confidence by the House of Commons, vote of non confidence by the House of Commons, he/she must resign to request the Governor General to he/she must resign to request the Governor General to call a new general election.call a new general election.

Well Known Prime Ministers of Well Known Prime Ministers of CanadaCanada

Sir John A Macdonald1867- 1873

Sir Wilfred Laurier1911- 1917

John G Diefenbaker1957-1963

Pierre Elloitt Trudeau

1968-19791980- 1984

John Chrétien1993- 2003

The Prime Minister is the most powerful person in The Prime Minister is the most powerful person in the government, He/she chooses the Ministers for the the government, He/she chooses the Ministers for the Cabinet and can also ask any one of them to resign. Cabinet and can also ask any one of them to resign. Cabinet decisions do not necessarily go by majority Cabinet decisions do not necessarily go by majority vote. A strong Prime Minister, after having listened vote. A strong Prime Minister, after having listened to everyone’s opinions and advice, simply announces to everyone’s opinions and advice, simply announces that his or her view is the policy of the government, that his or her view is the policy of the government, even if most of the Cabinet are opposed. The Cabinet even if most of the Cabinet are opposed. The Cabinet Ministers who are opposed either resign or accept the Ministers who are opposed either resign or accept the Prime Minister’s decision. Prime Minister’s decision.

The Prime Minister lives in an official residence in The Prime Minister lives in an official residence in Ottawa Ontario. The house is maintained by the Ottawa Ontario. The house is maintained by the Canadian Government. Canadian Government.

Prime Minister’s House in Ottawa, Prime Minister’s House in Ottawa, OntarioOntario

The CabinetThe Cabinet

The Prime Minister’s Cabinet is made up of approx. 30 The Prime Minister’s Cabinet is made up of approx. 30 ministers. These ministers are chosen by the Prime Minister ministers. These ministers are chosen by the Prime Minister from the majority party in the House of Commons.from the majority party in the House of Commons.

The Cabinet is a powerful part of the Canadian Government It The Cabinet is a powerful part of the Canadian Government It is important because it is the executive of the country. The is important because it is the executive of the country. The Cabinet and the Prime Minister decide the policies the Cabinet and the Prime Minister decide the policies the Government will follow. Government will follow.

Each province must be represented by at least one minister. Each province must be represented by at least one minister. Each minister is given a portfolio which means that he or she Each minister is given a portfolio which means that he or she is responsible for a government department. Each minister is responsible for a government department. Each minister also has a deputy minister who is a permanent head of the also has a deputy minister who is a permanent head of the department. department.

BackbenchersBackbenchers

Members of the governing party who are not in the Members of the governing party who are not in the cabinet are called backbenchers because their seats in cabinet are called backbenchers because their seats in the House of Commons are behind those of the the House of Commons are behind those of the Cabinet Minister. Cabinet Ministers must convince Cabinet Minister. Cabinet Ministers must convince the other members of their party in the House of the other members of their party in the House of Commons that the policies proposed by the Cabinet Commons that the policies proposed by the Cabinet are the right ones. The backbenchers want to be able are the right ones. The backbenchers want to be able to support government or Cabinet policies but they do to support government or Cabinet policies but they do not want to see the party adopt policies that go not want to see the party adopt policies that go against the wishes of the people who have elected against the wishes of the people who have elected them. This is why the proposal of new bills and them. This is why the proposal of new bills and policies is a delicate operation.policies is a delicate operation.

ParliamentParliament On January 1, 1858, Queen Victoria declared Ottawa to be the On January 1, 1858, Queen Victoria declared Ottawa to be the

capital of Canada. Barracks Hill was chosen as the site of the capital of Canada. Barracks Hill was chosen as the site of the future government buildings because of its view of the Ottawa future government buildings because of its view of the Ottawa River. On September 1, 1860 the Prince of Wales laid the River. On September 1, 1860 the Prince of Wales laid the cornerstone.cornerstone.

The building is made up of several different sections including The building is made up of several different sections including The Parliament Centre Block that holds the House of The Parliament Centre Block that holds the House of Commons and the Senate, the Confederation Hall which is the Commons and the Senate, the Confederation Hall which is the most lavishly adorned, The Great Hall of Honour which holds most lavishly adorned, The Great Hall of Honour which holds marble carvings that commemorate events and distinguished marble carvings that commemorate events and distinguished Canadians, The Peace Tower which is revered as one of the Canadians, The Peace Tower which is revered as one of the finest gothic structures in the world. It holds 53 bells that finest gothic structures in the world. It holds 53 bells that honor the soldiers that lost their lives in WWI. There is also honor the soldiers that lost their lives in WWI. There is also the Memorial Chamber, and the gothic parliament library the Memorial Chamber, and the gothic parliament library which holds rare bibles, war documents, and thousands of which holds rare bibles, war documents, and thousands of books dating back to 1764.books dating back to 1764.

Parliament before the fire of 1916

Parliament and the Changing of the Guards

Parliament overlooking the Ottawa River

House of Commons

Senate Chambers

Above: Entrance HalBelow: Parliament Library

ParliamentParliament Parliament consists of the Queen represented Parliament consists of the Queen represented

by the Governor General, the Senate, and the by the Governor General, the Senate, and the House of Commons. House of Commons.

The upper house is called the Senate and the The upper house is called the Senate and the lower house is called the House of Commons. lower house is called the House of Commons.

Members of Parliament or of a Provincial Members of Parliament or of a Provincial Legislature are normally elected for no more Legislature are normally elected for no more than five years. than five years.

The House of CommonsThe House of Commons The House of Commons or Lower House has 308 The House of Commons or Lower House has 308

seats. Members of the house are elected by the seats. Members of the house are elected by the people during an election. Each member of the house people during an election. Each member of the house represents a constituency (district) of a province of represents a constituency (district) of a province of territory. territory.

Parliament sits about 27 weeks of the year. Sitting Parliament sits about 27 weeks of the year. Sitting starts in September and usually continues until June starts in September and usually continues until June which breaks to permit the house members to work in which breaks to permit the house members to work in their regions or ridings. their regions or ridings.

Parliament begins with a speech from the throne Parliament begins with a speech from the throne made by the Governor General and ends by being made by the Governor General and ends by being dissolved.dissolved.

Members of ParliamentMembers of Parliament An MP is a federal representative who represents people who An MP is a federal representative who represents people who

live in a voting area called a constituency. The number of live in a voting area called a constituency. The number of federal representatives is affected by the changes in federal representatives is affected by the changes in population.population.

The MPs from all over Canada form a group called the House The MPs from all over Canada form a group called the House of Commons. All the MPs meet in the Parliament Building in of Commons. All the MPs meet in the Parliament Building in Ottawa and talk about the country’s business and things that Ottawa and talk about the country’s business and things that affect the people. affect the people.

An good MP learns about Canada’s problems and how to An good MP learns about Canada’s problems and how to solve them. An MPs main job is to inform their constituents solve them. An MPs main job is to inform their constituents about new laws and policies and how they may affect them. about new laws and policies and how they may affect them. They report to their constituents through meetings, phone They report to their constituents through meetings, phone calls, letters, newsletters, and often an internet website. They calls, letters, newsletters, and often an internet website. They travel from Ottawa to their constituency several times a year. travel from Ottawa to their constituency several times a year.

Each sitting in Parliament has its own agenda. On the Each sitting in Parliament has its own agenda. On the agenda will be routine business, committee reports, agenda will be routine business, committee reports, Minister’s Statements, presentations of petitions, Minister’s Statements, presentations of petitions, introduction of bills and debating legislation.introduction of bills and debating legislation.

The best part of each day’s sitting is the Question The best part of each day’s sitting is the Question Period. Here the Members of the House can ask the Period. Here the Members of the House can ask the ministers all kids of question about their departments ministers all kids of question about their departments and policies.and policies.

Question Period can get rather heated. It is the Question Period can get rather heated. It is the Speaker of the House’s job to make sure the members Speaker of the House’s job to make sure the members of the House follow parliamentary rules and behave of the House follow parliamentary rules and behave themselves in the House.themselves in the House.

Canadian ConstituenciesCanadian ConstituenciesAreaArea SeatsSeats

OntarioOntario 106106

QuebecQuebec 7575

British ColumbiaBritish Columbia 3636

AlbertaAlberta 2828

ManitobaManitoba 1414

SaskatchewanSaskatchewan 1414

Nova ScotiaNova Scotia 1111

New BrunswickNew Brunswick 1010

NFLDNFLD 77

PEIPEI 44

Northwest TerritoriesNorthwest Territories 11

Yukon TerritoryYukon Territory 11

NunavutNunavut 11

TOTALTOTAL 308308

Question PeriodQuestion Period

The SenateThe Senate

The Senate or Upper House is made up of 104 men The Senate or Upper House is made up of 104 men and women. The members are appointed by the and women. The members are appointed by the Governor General on the recommendation of the Governor General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. Usually an appointment to the Prime Minister. Usually an appointment to the Senate is given as a reward for service to the country.Senate is given as a reward for service to the country.

Senators must be at least 30 to be appointed and must Senators must be at least 30 to be appointed and must retire at 75. They must reside in the province or retire at 75. They must reside in the province or territory for which they are appointed and own real territory for which they are appointed and own real estate worth $4000.estate worth $4000.

The Senate is made up of members who have specialized The Senate is made up of members who have specialized knowledge and long years of legal, business and/or knowledge and long years of legal, business and/or administrative experience. They may be ex-premiers, ex- administrative experience. They may be ex-premiers, ex- mayors, lawyers or experienced farmers. mayors, lawyers or experienced farmers.

The Senate can initiate bills, amend bills, or reject bills as The Senate can initiate bills, amend bills, or reject bills as often as they see fit. No bill can become law unless it has often as they see fit. No bill can become law unless it has been passed by the Senate. The Senate rarely rejects bills but been passed by the Senate. The Senate rarely rejects bills but often makes amendment to bills passed by the House of often makes amendment to bills passed by the House of Commons to simplify or clarify.Commons to simplify or clarify.

The Senate carefully examines each bill clause by clause. It The Senate carefully examines each bill clause by clause. It has also taken on the role investigating important public has also taken on the role investigating important public problems such as poverty, unemployment, inflation, the aged, problems such as poverty, unemployment, inflation, the aged, land use, science policies, aboriginal affairs, relations with the land use, science policies, aboriginal affairs, relations with the U.S, and the efficiency (or lack of it) of government U.S, and the efficiency (or lack of it) of government departments.departments.

The Senate Chamber

The throne and chair in the background are used by the queen and her consort,

or the governor general and his or her spouse, respectively, during the opening of Parliament.

The speaker of the Senate employs the chair in front.

Senators