british columbia’s provincial government, structure and function: the three levels of government

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British Columbia’s provincial British Columbia’s provincial Government, Structure and Government, Structure and Function: The Three levels of Function: The Three levels of Government Government Our provincial Government is very Our provincial Government is very similar in structure and operation similar in structure and operation to the federal level of Government. to the federal level of Government. The provincial government has 3 The provincial government has 3 branches: legislative, executive and branches: legislative, executive and judicial judicial

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British Columbia’s provincial Government, Structure and Function: The Three levels of Government. Our provincial Government is very similar in structure and operation to the federal level of Government. The provincial government has 3 branches: legislative, executive and judicial. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: British Columbia’s provincial Government, Structure and Function: The Three levels of Government

British Columbia’s provincial British Columbia’s provincial Government, Structure and Function: Government, Structure and Function:

The Three levels of GovernmentThe Three levels of Government

Our provincial Government is very similar Our provincial Government is very similar in structure and operation to the federal in structure and operation to the federal level of Government. The provincial level of Government. The provincial government has 3 branches: legislative, government has 3 branches: legislative, executive and judicial executive and judicial

Page 2: British Columbia’s provincial Government, Structure and Function: The Three levels of Government
Page 3: British Columbia’s provincial Government, Structure and Function: The Three levels of Government

British Columbia’s Legislative BranchBritish Columbia’s Legislative Branch

The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia (aka the legislature or the house) is similar to the (aka the legislature or the house) is similar to the HOC. It is presided over by a speaker, who is HOC. It is presided over by a speaker, who is elected by the legislature from among the elected by the legislature from among the members at the first session of each Assembly. members at the first session of each Assembly. The speaker overseas the proceedings and The speaker overseas the proceedings and makes sure the parliamentary rules are followed.makes sure the parliamentary rules are followed.

Members of the Legislative Assembly are almost Members of the Legislative Assembly are almost always members of a political party (however always members of a political party (however they could be independently elected in their they could be independently elected in their riding) We are the first of all of the Provinces to riding) We are the first of all of the Provinces to institute a fixed election date. It is the second institute a fixed election date. It is the second Tuesday in May every 4 years. Tuesday in May every 4 years.

Page 4: British Columbia’s provincial Government, Structure and Function: The Three levels of Government

British Columbia’s Legislative BranchBritish Columbia’s Legislative Branch

After an election the Lieutenant After an election the Lieutenant Governor calls the leader of the Governor calls the leader of the political party with the most political party with the most seats in the Legislature to form seats in the Legislature to form a government and so become a government and so become Premier. The elected members Premier. The elected members of the largest non-government of the largest non-government party becomes the official party becomes the official oppositionopposition

BC Premier Gordon Campbell

Page 5: British Columbia’s provincial Government, Structure and Function: The Three levels of Government

British Columbia’s Legislative BranchBritish Columbia’s Legislative Branch A new session of the Legislature must be A new session of the Legislature must be

held at least once a year. The opening of held at least once a year. The opening of the Legislature begins with the Speech the Legislature begins with the Speech from the Throne. This is written by from the Throne. This is written by members of the Government party and members of the Government party and read by the LG, it outlines in general terms read by the LG, it outlines in general terms to programs that will be introduced during to programs that will be introduced during that session of the legislature. that session of the legislature.

On the first day of a new session, a five On the first day of a new session, a five person Select Committee is formed to person Select Committee is formed to determine the Membership of the 8 determine the Membership of the 8 Standing Committees. Standing Committees.

Page 6: British Columbia’s provincial Government, Structure and Function: The Three levels of Government

BC’s Legislative Branch: Passing LegislationBC’s Legislative Branch: Passing Legislation Cabinet reviews proposed law (often suggested by Cabinet reviews proposed law (often suggested by

a ministry) Once Cabinet has reviewed the law it a ministry) Once Cabinet has reviewed the law it chooses one of 3 options. chooses one of 3 options.

1.The Cabinet might adopt the proposal as a 1.The Cabinet might adopt the proposal as a government policy. Proposals adopted as policy government policy. Proposals adopted as policy affect only day to day internal government affect only day to day internal government operations.operations.

2. The Cabinet can pass an order-in-council, like 2. The Cabinet can pass an order-in-council, like federal ones these are usually made as a result of federal ones these are usually made as a result of powers granted in specific statutes, and have the powers granted in specific statutes, and have the force of lawforce of law

3. The third option is to try to make a proposal law 3. The third option is to try to make a proposal law by introducing a bill in the Legislature. A provincial by introducing a bill in the Legislature. A provincial bill, must go through the same stages as a Federal bill, must go through the same stages as a Federal bill to become a law. (first reading, bill is bill to become a law. (first reading, bill is introduced by the minister responsible.) If the introduced by the minister responsible.) If the motion is accepted it is put forward to another day motion is accepted it is put forward to another day for consideration. The MLA’s are ready to debate for consideration. The MLA’s are ready to debate the bill at the second reading. If the bill is approved the bill at the second reading. If the bill is approved at this stage all the MLA’s meet as the Committee at this stage all the MLA’s meet as the Committee of the Whole House, of the Whole House,

Page 7: British Columbia’s provincial Government, Structure and Function: The Three levels of Government

A Cabinet

Page 8: British Columbia’s provincial Government, Structure and Function: The Three levels of Government

BC’s Legislative BranchBC’s Legislative Branch

At the Committee of the Whole House, the At the Committee of the Whole House, the MLA’s consider each section of the bill in MLA’s consider each section of the bill in detail, passing, amending or rejecting each detail, passing, amending or rejecting each one separately. Any changes are one separately. Any changes are incorporated in a reprinting of the bill before it incorporated in a reprinting of the bill before it is read and voted on during third reading. is read and voted on during third reading. Finally if it is passed, the bill goes to the Finally if it is passed, the bill goes to the Lieutenant Governor for Royal Assent. Thus, Lieutenant Governor for Royal Assent. Thus, the bill has become either a new provincial the bill has become either a new provincial law, or an amendment to an existing law.law, or an amendment to an existing law.

Page 9: British Columbia’s provincial Government, Structure and Function: The Three levels of Government

Municipal Government

Mayor: elected heads municipal council: made up of Aldermen: who are electedThe municipal government controls things like daily water supply and garbage disposal This is regulated under two statutes the Municipal Act of British Columbia Which sets out the powers of municipal councils and regional districts (CRD is an example of one regional district) and the Vancouver Act which sets out the powers of the Vancouver City Council.

Page 10: British Columbia’s provincial Government, Structure and Function: The Three levels of Government

Include The Police Act, The Highway Act, The Schools Act, and the Fire Services Act.Generally Municipal governments do not have authority to take any measures except what the provincial legislation allows. If there is a conflict, Provincial law prevails.

Other Acts

Page 11: British Columbia’s provincial Government, Structure and Function: The Three levels of Government

Elected for a fixed term, unlike MP’s and MLA’s whose terms in office depend on election dates.Municipal council members are usually not affiliated with a traditional political party, they usually promote two or three campaign themes. Some municipalities have community groups which run groups of candidates with a certain political programs. These groups are called civic parties.

Mayors and Aldermen

Page 12: British Columbia’s provincial Government, Structure and Function: The Three levels of Government

Municipal GovernmentsMunicipal Governments

Like other law making bodies the by-laws passed by municipal governments usually go through a committee stage and then through three readings. These readings usually take place in the same sitting of a municipal council

Saanich Municipal Hall

Page 13: British Columbia’s provincial Government, Structure and Function: The Three levels of Government

Some areas of BC have low population density and some have high population density. Therefore without management local services could be duplicated in areas of high density and under-funded in low-density areas. To insure that this doesn’t happen 28 regional districts were created in the 1960’s

REGIONAL DISTRICTS

Page 14: British Columbia’s provincial Government, Structure and Function: The Three levels of Government

•School Districts: Boards are responsible for running the schools with the use of a provincially approved budget•Improvement Districts: Supply such services as water supply, fire protection, or garbage collection and disposal Improvement. districts: are administered by boards of trustees, consisting of locally elected people who are serving three-year terms.•Library Boards: either local or regional libraries, funded by the provincial government and by the member boards.  

OTHER LOCAL ATHORITIES

School District 61

Page 15: British Columbia’s provincial Government, Structure and Function: The Three levels of Government

End of Slideshow