The Structure of The Structure of CanadaCanada’’s Governments Government

Chapter 9Chapter 9 Mr. R. SmithMr. R. Smith

Representative Representative DemocracyDemocracy

Democracy = rule by the peopleDemocracy = rule by the peoplePracticed by the Greek city statesPracticed by the Greek city statesThere is direct democracy and then There is direct democracy and then there is representative democracy.there is representative democracy.

What is the difference?What is the difference?

Constitutional MonarchyConstitutional Monarchy

The powers of the Monarch The powers of the Monarch are subject to the laws set are subject to the laws set forth in the Canadian forth in the Canadian Constitution (1982)Constitution (1982)Queen Elizabeth II is Queen Elizabeth II is recognized as Canadarecognized as Canada’’s head s head of stateof stateThe Queen is not involved The Queen is not involved in Canadain Canada’’s days day--toto--day day businessbusinessThe Queen represents a The Queen represents a safeguard for Democracysafeguard for DemocracyHow?How?

Canadian ConstitutionCanadian Constitution

The Canadian constitution outlines the The Canadian constitution outlines the roles and responsibilities of Canadians roles and responsibilities of Canadians and their governmentsand their governmentsThe Canadian constitution is the The Canadian constitution is the supreme law of the landsupreme law of the landNo one is exempt from the No one is exempt from the constitution constitution -- not even the Queennot even the Queen

The Written ConstitutionThe Written Constitution

Confederation was achieved through the Confederation was achieved through the passage of the British North American Act passage of the British North American Act (BNA Act) by the British Parliament in 1867. (BNA Act) by the British Parliament in 1867. BNA Act also referred to as the Constitution BNA Act also referred to as the Constitution Act of 1867.Act of 1867.Amended in 1982 to become the Canada Amended in 1982 to become the Canada Act of 1982.Act of 1982.The written constitution of 1982 has three The written constitution of 1982 has three main parts.main parts.

The Three ComponentsThe Three Components

A description of powers for provincial legislatures and A description of powers for provincial legislatures and ParliamentParliamentThe Charter of Rights and Freedoms The Charter of Rights and Freedoms -- outlines basic outlines basic rights and responsibilities of all Canadiansrights and responsibilities of all CanadiansAn An ‘‘amending formulaamending formula’’ which sets out ways the which sets out ways the Constitution can be changed:Constitution can be changed:

Federal Government approval plus 7 of 10 Provinces.Federal Government approval plus 7 of 10 Provinces.

Note:Note:The seven Provinces must make up at least one half The seven Provinces must make up at least one half of the total population of Canadaof the total population of Canada

Unwritten ConstitutionUnwritten Constitution

Based upon British tradition.Based upon British tradition.The role of political parties is an The role of political parties is an example of the influence of British example of the influence of British tradition on the workings of parliament tradition on the workings of parliament in Canada. in Canada.

Federal SystemFederal System

The colonies of Canada East (which became The colonies of Canada East (which became Quebec) and Canada West (which became Quebec) and Canada West (which became Ontario), New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia Ontario), New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia made a confederation in 1867.made a confederation in 1867.Why?Why?No colony wanted to give up autonomyNo colony wanted to give up autonomyWhat could be done?What could be done?Central (Federal) government and RegionalCentral (Federal) government and Regional(Provincial) governments unite under a (Provincial) governments unite under a federal system. federal system.

Power SharingPower Sharing

National policies handled by federal National policies handled by federal government.government.Local affairs = provincial jurisdictionLocal affairs = provincial jurisdictionNew areas of decisionNew areas of decision--making would making would be part of the federal governmentbe part of the federal government’’s s jurisdiction (jurisdiction (residual powersresidual powers).).What potential problems exist?What potential problems exist?

Municipal GovernmentsMunicipal Governments

Duties include essential servicesDuties include essential servicesGarbage collection and disposal, Garbage collection and disposal, building permits, dog catchers, building permits, dog catchers, sewage treatment, fire protection, sewage treatment, fire protection, water supply, and local police.water supply, and local police.Municipalities are controlled by Municipalities are controlled by provincial governments.provincial governments.

Federal/Provincial Federal/Provincial ResponsibilitiesResponsibilitiesNational defenceNational defenceForeign policyForeign policyAboriginal affairsAboriginal affairsPostal servicesPostal servicesBanking systemBanking systemMarriage andMarriage anddivorce lawsdivorce lawsCriminal lawCriminal lawFederal prisonsFederal prisons

EducationEducationCharitiesCharitiesHealth Services & HospitalsHealth Services & HospitalsLicensesLicensesHighwaysHighwaysHealth servicesHealth servicesImmigrationImmigration * Shared* SharedAgriculture Agriculture * Shared* SharedHealth care Health care * Shared* SharedNatural resourcesNatural resources * Shared* SharedEnvironmental issuesEnvironmental issues * Shared* Shared

Parliamentary SystemParliamentary System

There are three branches of government.There are three branches of government.Executive power Executive power -- the ability to make decisions and the ability to make decisions and administer them through the civil service.administer them through the civil service.Legislative power Legislative power -- the ability to make laws the ability to make laws (*federal / provincial / municipal can all make (*federal / provincial / municipal can all make laws).laws).Judicial power Judicial power -- the ability to interpret and the ability to interpret and administer the law.administer the law.Which one is the most important? Why?Which one is the most important? Why?Judicial power is separate from the other branches Judicial power is separate from the other branches of government. Why?of government. Why?

Federal GovernmentFederal Government

Legislative BranchLegislative BranchMust meet once a year = sessionMust meet once a year = sessionPass new laws, amend or repeal Pass new laws, amend or repeal (removes) laws, have debates(removes) laws, have debatesQuestion period = opposition Question period = opposition challenges the governmentchallenges the government’’s actionss actionsMPMP’’s raise concerns from their s raise concerns from their constituentsconstituents

The House of CommonsThe House of Commons

aka the aka the ‘‘Lower HouseLower House’’Elections must occur every five yearsElections must occur every five yearsPM can call an earlier electionPM can call an earlier election100,000 citizens = 1 riding100,000 citizens = 1 ridingThese elected officials These elected officials -- Members of Members of Parliament Parliament -- make up the Lower Housemake up the Lower House

Number of SeatsNumber of Seats

Area Seats Area Seats 2003 2003 RedistributionRedistribution (no (no earlier than June 29, earlier than June 29, 2004)2004)Ontario 103106Ontario 103106Quebec 7575Quebec 7575British Columbia 3436British Columbia 3436Alberta 2628Alberta 2628Manitoba1414 Manitoba1414 Saskatchewan 1414Saskatchewan 1414

Nova Scotia 1111Nova Scotia 1111New Brunswick 1010New Brunswick 1010Newfoundland and Newfoundland and Labrador 77Labrador 77Prince Edward Island 44Prince Edward Island 44Northwest Territories 11Northwest Territories 11Nunavut 11 Nunavut 11 Yukon territory 11Yukon territory 11Total 301308Total 301308

The House of CommonsThe House of Commons

How do MPHow do MP’’s Votes Vote

Caucus meetingsCaucus meetingsRegional concerns are voicedRegional concerns are voicedParty leaders explain programs, Party leaders explain programs, policies, and actionspolicies, and actionsDissent is passed over for traditionDissent is passed over for tradition

The Senate of CanadaThe Senate of Canada

Upper ParliamentUpper ParliamentIndependent of the House of Independent of the House of CommonsCommonsMust be a Canadian citizen, 30 years Must be a Canadian citizen, 30 years of age, live in the province they of age, live in the province they represent, and own $4000 in propertyrepresent, and own $4000 in propertyMay serve until 75 years youngMay serve until 75 years young

SenateSenate’’s Jobs Job

Final check on legislationFinal check on legislationMay introduce, debate, pass, and send bills May introduce, debate, pass, and send bills (proposed laws) to the Commons(proposed laws) to the CommonsA sober second thoughtA sober second thoughtProvide regional representationProvide regional representationInvestigates or undertakes issues the HC is Investigates or undertakes issues the HC is unwilling to undertakeunwilling to undertakeAppointed by the Governor General on the Appointed by the Governor General on the recommendation of the PMrecommendation of the PMWhy is this a problem?Why is this a problem?

Problems with the SenateProblems with the Senate

Maritimes 24 Maritimes 24 Ontario 24Ontario 24Quebec 24 Quebec 24 Western Canada 24 Western Canada 24 Newfoundland and Labrador 6Newfoundland and Labrador 6Northwest Territories 1 Northwest Territories 1 Yukon Territory 1Yukon Territory 1Nunavut 1 Nunavut 1

More Problems with the More Problems with the SenateSenate

Liberals 63 Liberals 63 Progressive Conservative 30 Progressive Conservative 30 Independent 4 Independent 4 Canadian Alliance 1Canadian Alliance 1What are some other possible What are some other possible problems? Use your imagination! problems? Use your imagination!