Politics

Chapter 9

What is politics?

Politics The way we organize ourselves so

that the members of our society can live together in peace and security. It’s the way we try to work out a balance among the interests of different groups.

Government in Our Lives

DemocracyThe government is

elected and controlled by the people who live in that country. People have the right to participate in the way they are governed.

Remember, not all countries have democratic governments like we do! Some countries are still run by non-elected monarchs, military, or religious leaders.

Three Levels of Government

There are three levels of government: federal, provincial and municipal. Each level is responsible for different things.

Federal Government

The federal government deals with the concerns of the nation as a whole. It is based in Ottawa.

It is represented by the Prime Minister and Members of Parliament (MPs).

 

Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper

Responsibilities:• Defense• International trade• Banking• Natural Resources• Radio and television• Provincial/ Territorial

governments

Provincial Governments

Provincial governments are located in the capital city of each province or territory and deal with issues within that province or territory.

Provincial governments are represented by the province’s Premier and MLA’s (Members of Legislative Assembly).

Premier of NB, Shawn Graham

Responsibilities:• Education• Hospitals• Health-care system• Natural Resources• Municipal

governments

Homework

Using a phone book, find 10 services provided by the federal government, 10 different services provided by the provincial government and, and 4 services offered by the municipal government.

(The first two are found in the BLUE pages, and the last one under the Town of Sussex in the white pages)

Municipal Government

Municipal governments are local governments in each community. There is one in Sussex, Sussex Corner, Norton, Hampton, etc.

Municipal governments are represented by the mayor and council members.

Mayor of Sussex, Ralph Carr

Responsibilities:• Fire stations• Garbage collection• Street maintenance• Building permits• Property tax

Homework

Using a phone book, find 10 services provided by the federal government, 10 different services provided by the provincial government and 4 services offered by the municipal government.

(The first two are fond in the BLUE pages, and the last under the Town of Sussex in the white pages.)

• http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/midlsoc/gr8/82overview.html

The Power of the Vote