Lesson 1: Government in Newfoundland and

Labrador

History of government in Newfoundland• From 1855 to 1934, Newfoundland was a self-governing

British dominion and elected its own prime minister. At this time, Newfoundland had constitutional (legal) status equivalent to other dominions, like Canada, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.

• In 1934, the Dominion of Newfoundland reverted to crown colony status as a result of the Great Depression. Newfoundland was then governed by British appointees.

Canada’s 10th Province• Newfoundland became Canada’s tenth province in 1949 and

returned to responsible government.• Responsible government means that the Cabinet is

dependent on the support of an elected assembly, not the monarch.

• The leader of the provincial government was then called a premier, like the other Canadian provinces and territories.

• In the early 1990s, a movement began to change to name of the province to Newfoundland and Labrador to provide recognition of Labrador's importance as an critical partner within the province.

• In 2001, the province officially changed its name to Newfoundland and Labrador as the result of a constitutional amendment.

Recent Developments

Three Levels of Government• In order to support the needs of citizens, government in

Canada is structured into a three level system: federal, provincial/territorial and municipal.

• Each level has its own arrangement of elected and appointed officials, as well as a unique set of responsibilities.

Three Branches of Government

• Legislative Branch: Made up of elected representatives at the given level. Responsible for creating, debating and amending laws and regulations.

• Executive Branch: The Queen’s representative and cabinet ministers (appointed elected representatives by the premier). Responsible for government operations, and implementing and enforcing laws and regulations.

• Judicial Branch: The court system. Responsible for interpreting the law, protecting citizens’ rights, and determining the proper punishment for people who break the law.

Federal • The elected representative at the federal level is called a

Member of Parliament (MP).• There are 338 elected MPs across Canada and 7 MPs are from

Newfoundland and Labrador.• This legislative body is responsible for debating and passing

laws.• They meet in the House of Commons in Ottawa. • The leader of the government is called the prime minister.• The Queen is represented by the governor general.

Provincial• The elected representative at the provincial level is called a

Member of the House of Assembly (MHA).• Following the current election, the legislative body in

Newfoundland and Labrador will consist of 40 MHAs (eight fewer than the previous election).

• The House of Assembly meets at the Confederation Building in St. John’s.

• The leader of the government is called the premier.• The Queen is represented by the lieutenant governor.

Municipal• The elected representative at the municipal level is called a

councillor.• The head of the council is called a mayor.• The size and structure of the council differs, depending on the

population.

Division of Responsibilities• Federal: National defence, international trade, foreign

policy, money, public safety, immigration and citizenship.• Provincial/Territorial: Health care delivery/hospitals,

education, welfare, transportation and roads within the province, justice, energy and the environment.

• Municipal: Water and sewer, fire protection, recreation facilities and libraries.

Forming Government• The party that wins the most seats in the House of Assembly

usually forms the government, and its leader becomes the leader of the government (the premier).

• After the 2011 election, the Progressive Conservatives won the most seats and formed government. The leader of the party at the time was Kathy Dunderdale.

• Dunderdale stepped down as premier in 2014 and the PC Party elected Paul Davis as leader and he became premier of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Final Thoughts

• Is government important? Why or why not?

• How does government affect your life?

• Why is it important to know who is your elected representative?

• Do you think it is fair for the governing party to change their leader and the premier without an election?