Download - Foundations Of Government
Government and Politics
Foundations of Government
Why study government?
Aboriginal decision making
• Aboriginal peoples relied on participation by members of the community
• Hereditary leaders handed down positions through a clan or family
• Consensus from open community discussions
• Traditions passed down through oral tradition
Canada’s method of decision making has
roots in the British parliamentary tradition
“Rule By The People”
Democracy
Constitutional Monarchy
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada
ConstitutionBritish North America (BNA) Act, 1867
Amended in 1982, the Canadian Constitution has three main parts:
Division of Powers
Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Amending formula
The Federal System
• At the time of Confederation, the colonies that later became Canada agreed to pool their resources for defence, trade, and other common goals
• However, they were unwilling to give up completely their individual autonomy
Federalism: an organization of regional governments (provinces) each acting on behalf of its own residents, and a central government, with divided and shared responsibilities between the two
The Federal System
Residual Powers
All areas of decision making that did not exist or were not listed in 1867 are by default allocated to the federal government.
Federal Responsibility
Provincial Responsibility
Municipal Responsibility