Canada Government Current Day Issues and Economics Canadas

Canada Government , Current Day Issues and Economics

Canada’s Independence n Mid 1860 s Dominion of Canada – Allowed areas to have their own parliament and prime minister – Not allowed to make treaties with other countries 1931 gained Independence from Great Britain n 1982 final links were broken n Canada gained their independence through peaceful means n

European Influence n Language – English and French both official languages n Religion – Catholic (mainly the French) – Protestants (Non-Catholic Christians) § Mainly the English

Canada Today –Quebec Separatists n People who believe that they cannot keep their French language and culture and remain an part of Canada. n Voted numerous times and have decided to remain a part of Canada n Still a push to become independent n Canada has made English and French the official language n Also encourages the preservation of one’s culture n

Pro Quebec Independence Official language is French n All documents, road signs, building signs are written in French n We are different from every other providence…we are FRENCH n Main religion is Roman Catholic n If English becomes the official language throughout Canada we will loose our heritage n

Anti Quebec Independence Already granted them n Very frustrating for their own unique the citizens of Canada language who live in English n Declared that Canada speaking providences has two official to drive through languages – English and Quebec French n All documents are written in French and English everywhere else…why not in Quebec n

Review Questions n What is the term for a person who wants Quebec to become an independent country? n What is the goal of the independence movement in Quebec?

Constitutional Monarchy Constitution describes how the government is organized n Monarch is head of state (king or queen) n Monarch selects a governor-general to represent them in Canada. . . ceremonial job with very little power n

Parliamentary Democracy n 3 branches of government: – Executive – enforces the laws (monarch, prime minister, and his cabinet) – Judicial-interprets the laws (courts) – Legislative-makes the laws (Parliament which is a Senate and House of Commons)

Parliamentary Democracy Citizens elect members n Parliament elects the of parliament prime minister and they can also replace (called MPs) the prime minister if he/she is not doing a n Parliament is made up good job of the House of Commons and Senate n Prime Minister heads the day to day activities of the government n

Federal Government Power is divided between the national and local governments n National capital is Ottawa n National government handles national defense and trade n Provincial government (10 provinces) handles local issues n Provinces can elect their own leaders and write their own laws n Each province elects a premier as their leader n

Citizen’s Rights Citizens 18 or older can vote n A level of personal freedom that is among the highest in the world n Property rights protected by laws n

Review Questions n What type of Government does Canada have? n What type of Governmental system determines how the political power is distributed in Canada?

NAFTA North American Free Trade Agreement Established 1994 n Between Mexico, USA and Canada n Created a free trade zone n n People feared… – that the businesses in the USA would move to Mexico – Also would be an increase in air pollution in Mexico and Southwest USA

Economy n Mixed Market Economy n Private Citizens and corporations own businesses and Farms

Economy n Private Citizens and corporations – Decide what to produce and how much – Decide how goods will be produced – How the goods will be distributed

Economy n Buyers and Sellers – Decide the prices for goods and services n It is very easy to start your own business in Canada – Only takes a few days!!!