Our GovernmentOur Government

The Basics

Canada has 3 Levels of Government

FEDERAL – based in Ottawa

PROVINCIAL/ TERRITORIAL – based in the capital city of each province/territory

MUNICIPAL – based in each municipality

The 3 Branches of the Federal Government

Go There!

Go There!

How Does It All Work?

1. Rick Mercer Explains

2. An Educational Video Explains

How is Parliament Formed?

Canada is divided into 308 ridings (or electoral districts).

During an election people in each riding campaign to try to get elected as the Member of Parliament for their riding.

Most people running to become MP represent a political party (Conservative, Liberal, NDP, Green, etc…)

How is Parliament Formed?

During the election, citizen over 18 yrs. vote for the person they want to be the Member of Parliament for their riding.

The person with the most votes in the riding goes to parliament to represent the riding as the MP.

The political party that has the most Members of Parliament becomes the governing party (the most seats in the House of Commons).

How is Parliament Formed?

The leader (which was decided before the election) of the governing party becomes the Prime Minister of Canada.

The Prime Minister selects his/her cabinet ministers. (List of Ministries)

Majority Government = the governing party has more than half the seats in the House of Commons.

Minority Government = the governing party has less than half the seats in the House of Commons.

Let’s Try It!

Liberals 79Conservatives184Green 11NDP 30Independent 4

What do these numbers add to?

Why?

• Who will form the governing party?

• Who will be the Prime Minister?

• Who will form the official opposition?

• Who will form the opposition?

• Would this be a majority or a

minority gov’t?

What would the outcome of this election be?

Let’s Try It Again!

Liberals 63Conservatives76Green 40NDP 127Independent 2

• Who will form the governing party?

• Who will be the Prime Minister?

• Who will form the official opposition?

• Who will form the opposition?

• Would this be a majority or a minority?

What would the outcome of this election be?

The House of Commons

There are 308 seats in the House of Commons. (Guess why?!)

The Prime Minister and all the Cabinet Ministers have a seat in the House of Commons because they are also MPs who have been elected by the citizens of their riding to represent the riding in parliament.

Return to the Diagram of the Government

The SenateThe Senate is made up of people with many

different backgrounds.

The Prime Minister recommends the names of senators to be appointed by the Governor General.

• There are usually 105 members of the Senate. Return to the Diagram of the Government

There are many requirements to become a senator. For example, you must:

•Be a Canadian citizen•Be at least 30 years old•Own property in your province or territory•Live in the province or territory that you will represent as a senator.

The Creation of LawsThe Creation of Laws

Things to Know

1. Before a law is passed it is called a BILL.

2. Bills can be introduced by someone in the House of Commons or the Senate.

3. Bills that involve the raising or spending of public money cannot be introduced in the senate.

4. A bill becomes a law only when it has been approved by the House of Commons and the Senate AND when it has been signed by the Governor General.

How a Bill Becomes a Law

• As Explained on YouTube!

How a Bill Becomes a Law

Bill Introduced

First Reading

Second Reading

Looked at by a Committee

Third Reading

Vote

If the bill is voted to pass, then it is sent to the other house to repeat the process.

If BOTH houses vote to pass the bill then it is given Royal Assent by the G.G. – it is now a new law!

In Your Textbook

• Read “Passing a Law” page 78-80 (new text)

OR

• Read “Enacting a Statute” page 64-66 (old book)

For Consideration

• What difference would having a majority government vs. a minority government make when passing new laws?

• What obstacles might be encountered in the law making process?

• Why do we need new laws?

Check Your Understanding!

Complete the following questions:

NEW BOOKp. 83 # 3, 4, 5, 6p. 86 # 7

OLD BOOKp. 68 # 3, 4, 5, 6, 7p. 70 # 9

The Assessment! Create a board game that accurately shows

how laws are made in Canada.

You may work in small groups, but you will need to be able to show me your contribution to the final product.

Your game needs to be sufficiently complex as to demonstrate an understanding of the different scenarios that could play out as a bill is being considered.

See your HANDOUT for more details!See your HANDOUT for more details!