Politics

Governement election, laws

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3 facts about Canada’s system of government
• A federal state • A parliamentary democracy • A constitutional monarchy
3 governments
• Federal • Provincial and Territorial • Municipal
Responsibilities of the federal government
National and international concern including • defence • foreign policy • interprovincial trade and communications • currency • navigation • criminal law • citizenship • jurisdiction over agriculture and immigration (shared with provincial governments)
Responsibilities of the provincial governments
• municipal government • education • health • natural resources • property and civil rights, • highways • jurisdiction over agriculture and immigration (shared with federal government)
Responsibilities of the local or municipal governments
• Urban or regional planning • Streets and roads snitation (such as garbage removal) • snow removal • firefighting • ambulance and other emergency services • recreation facilities • public transit • Social services
Federalism
Allows different provinces to adopt policies tailored to their own populations, and gives provinces the flexibility to experiment with new ideas and policies
Provincial Legislative Assembly
Every province has its own elected Legislative Assembly, like the House of Commons in Ottawa.
House of Commons
Made up of members of Parliament Elected by people every four years. Responsible for passing laws, approving and monitoring expenditures, and keeping the government accountable.
Cabinet ministers
Chosen by Prime Ministers from members of the House of Comms (mostly) Responsible for running the federal government departments.
Parliament
Consists of • The Sovereign (Queen or King) • The Senate • The House of Commons
Prime Minister
Selects the Cabinet ministers and is responsible for the operations and policy of the government.
Senators
Appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister and serve until age 75
Prodedure of Passing bills
1. Passed by House of Commons 2. Passed in the Senate 3. Receives royal assent (by Governor General on behalf of the Sovereign)
Constitutional monarchy
Canada’s Head of State is a hereditary Sovereign (Queen or King)
The Sovereign
• Queen or King • A part of Parliament • Head of the Commonwealth, links Canada to 53 other nations that cooperate to advance social, econimic and cultural progress • (federal) Represented by the Governor General appointed by the Sovereign on the advice of Prime Minister usually every five years • (provincial) Represented by the Lieutenant Governor General appointed by the Prime Minister usually every five years
His (or Her) Majesty
A guardian of constitutional freedoms, and a reflection of our history
Three branches of the government
The Executive, Legislative and Judicial which work together but also sometimes in creative tension, helps to secure the rights and freedoms of Canadians
Three branches of the government
The Executive, Legislative and Judicial which work together but also sometimes in creative tension, helps to secure the rights and freedoms of Canadians
Provincial and territorial elected legislature
Where laws are passed. The members of the legislature are called members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), members of the National Assembly (MNAs), members of the Provincial Parliament (MPPs) or members of the House of Assembly (MHAs), depending on the province or territory.
The Premier
In each province, the Premier has a role similar to that of the Prime Minister in the federal government
The Commissioner
In the three territories, the Commissioner represents the federal government and plays a ceremonial role.
Federal elections and MP (Member of Parliament)
Held on the third Monday in October every four years following the most recent general election. The Prime Minister may ask the Governor General to call an earlier election.
Electoral districts
Canada is divided into 308 electoral districts, also known as ridings or constituencies. An electoral district is a geographical area represented by a member of Parliament (MP). The people in each electoral district vote for the candidate and political party of their choice. The candidate who receives the most votes becomes the MP for that electoral district
Election candidates
Canada is divided into 308 electoral districts, also known as ridings or constituencies. An electoral district is a geographical area represented by a member of Parliament (MP).
Who can vote
If you are: • A Canadian citizen; and • At least 18 years old on voting day; and • On the voters’ list.
Voters' list
Produced from the National Register of Electors by a neutral agency of Parliament called Elections Canada.
How to vote
1. Get voter information card - has dates and locations 2. If I did not get a card - call local elections office 3. Advance poll and special ballot - If you cannot or do not wish to vote on election day, you can vote at the advance polls or by special ballot. 4. On election day - Go to your polling station 5. Marking the ballot - Mark an "X" in the circle next to the name of the candidate. 6. Your vote is secret - You will be invited to go behind the screen to mark your ballot. Once marked, fold it and present it to the poll officials 7. You will be invited to go behind the screen to mark your ballot. Once marked, fold it and present it to the poll officials 8. The election result - When the polls close, every ballot is counted and the results are made public
Secret Ballot
Canadian law secures the right to a secret ballot. This means that no one can watch you vote and no one should look at how you voted.
Who becomes the Prime Minister
The leader of the political party with the most seats in the House of Commons is invited by the Governor General to form the government After being appointed by the Governor General, the leader of this party becomes the Prime Minister
Majority government
The party in power holds at least half of the seats in the House of Commons
Minority government
the party in power holds less than half of the seats in the House of Commons
Confidence
TBA
The Cabinet
The Prime Minister and the Cabinet ministers are called the Cabinet and they make important decisions about how the country is governed
Opposition parties
The other parties that are not in power The role of opposition parties is to peacefully oppose or try to improve government proposals.
The Official Opposition
Also called "His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition" - The opposition party with the most members of the House of Commons
Three major political parties
• The Conservative Party • The New Democratic Party • The Liberal Part
Band chiefs and councillors
The First Nations have band chiefs and councillors who have major responsibilities on First Nations reserves, including housing, schools and other services.
The Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of Canada is our country’s highest court.
The Federal Court
The Federal Court of Canada deals with matters concerning the federal government
Courts in provinces
• An appeal court • A trial court (aka the Court of Queen’s Bench or the Supreme Court) • Courts for lesser offences • Family courts • Traffic courts • Small claims courts for civil cases involving small sums of money.
Police
• Enforce the law • You can ask the police for help in all kinds of situations • You can also question the police about their service or conduct if you feel you need to. • Provincial police forces in Ontario and Quebec • Municipal police departments in all provinces
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
• Enforce federal laws throughout Canada • Serve as the provincial police in all provinces and territories except Ontario and Quebec, as well as in some municipalities
Legal help at a low cost
If you cannot pay for a lawyer, in most communities there are legal aid services available free of charge or at a low cost