HOW EFFECTIVELY DOES CANADAS POLITICAL SYSTEM GOVERN CANADA

HOW EFFECTIVELY DOES CANADA’S POLITICAL SYSTEM GOVERN CANADA FOR ALL CANADIANS? What is the structure of Canada’s federal political system? How do laws become laws? What do lobbyists do? How do the media connect Canadians to their government? Think throughout: Do individual and collective groups have opportunities to participate in gov’t decision making? Are Canada’s diverse groups and minorities properly represented? Are gov’t members accountable to citizens? Are citizens from all regions equally represented?

Brainstorm What do you already know about the of the federal government of Canada? What do you know about its structure?

Challenge Time! • Try and be the first “group” (2 -3 max. ) to accurately complete the Branches of Gov’t Chart • You must correctly label the Branches of Government, as well as place the roles in the correct places • DO NOT glue or tape anything into place until Ms. Wells has given you the okay

A Federal System

EXECUTIVE BRANCH LEGISLATIVE THE CONSTITUTION OF CANADA (p. 22) JUDICIARY BRANCH BRITISH MONARCH COURTS (FEDERAL, PROVINCIAL & TAX) HOUSE OF COMMONS GOVERNOR-GENERAL SENATE PRIME MINISTER CABINET Public Service

Separation of Power EXECUTIVE BRANCH • Essentially made up of the PM, his/her cabinet and the public service. • Is responsible for the dayto-day government of Canada. LEGISLATIVE BRANCH JUDICIAL BRANCH (JUDICIARY) • Applies Laws • Makes Laws • Interprets laws • Represents The Interests and rights of Canada’s Regions • IS a check on the power of the Gov’t and keeps it accountable Why are the powers of these three branches of government kept separate?

THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH

THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF THE CANADIAN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

The Executive Branch • Essentially made up of the PM, his/her cabinet, and the public service (police, fire, teachers. . etc). • This branch of government proposes ideas that become can laws • It puts laws into action • It is responsible for the day-to-day governing of Canada.

The Executive Branch • The cabinet includes people with responsibilities for running different gov’t departments & agencies • Ex: Health, Finance, Defence • They are called Cabinet Ministers • The PM decides what departments, or portfolios, to include in the cabinet, AND the cabinet Ministers

The Cabinet P. 25

WHO WANTS TO BE A CABINET MINISTER? ? • What qualities do you think someone should have in order to be a cabinet minister? • Now choose 5 of the qualities we brainstormed. Which 5 are the most important to you? Rank them in order of importance 1 st to last. • Based on the qualities you’ve chosen, create a short Job Placement Ad for a Cabinet Minister position of your choosing. • AKA Minister of Finance, Minister of Defense, Minister of Fisheries, etc.

THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

What Is The Legislature? • In Canada, the Legislative Branch is composed of the House of Commons, the Senate and the governor general. (AKA: Parliament) and is mostly responsible for making laws (legislative) • While both the H. O. C & Senate are both apart of the law making process, the majority of the legislative power rests in the House of Commons.

How Parliament Works • https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Aealt-et. GVs

House of Commons vs Senate • In partners, use p. 27 -33 to complete the H. o. C vs Senate comparative chart

The Senate…Is it necessary? • In recent years the importance of the Senate has been widely debated, with many Canadians calling for it’s complete abolishment • Why so much hate for the Senate?

Senate Scandals

Senate Scandals • https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Xfp. WZRTd 0 ik

Over to you… So, should we just get rid of the Senate all together?

How Does a Bill Become a Law?

Majority vs Minority Government

THE JUDICIAL BRANCH

THE JUDICIAL BRANCH The Judicial Branch of Government does two things: It interprets laws. It performs these two functions by making legal judgements. It applies laws.

Although it lacks legislative power, the judicial branch is an essential part of a democratic political system. • • It is charged with the responsibility of interpreting laws in a fair and impartial manner. All laws apply equally to all citizens • • Citizens and governments alike must comply with the law. This is referred to as the rule of law, and it is fundamental to democracy

Canada Supreme Court of Canada (created by Federal Statute; Federal Court Judges federally appointed) Provincial Superior Courts • Appellate division • Trial division Provincial Courts • Family court • Juvenile court • Small claims court

Judiciary and the Political System • The political power exercised by the judicial branch is significant. • Both in Canada and the United States use the process of Judicial review typical of most federal systems. • The courts, especially the Supreme Courts, rule on the constitutionality of legislation

That was confusing… • This means that if legislation is found not to conform with the spirit of the constitution - interpreted by the court then that legislation does not take effect. • Such enormous power is granted to the judicial branch to enable it to check the power of the executive and legislative branches.

No connections • The judiciary must be free of political pressures. • The judicial branch checks the power of the others, rather than serving it. • • • Judges, then need to be independent of the politcal system To achieve this, judges are appointed These are “lifetime” appointments made by the executive.