Government of Canada

Representation

Canada is a DEMOCRATIC country. Citizens elect representatives to attend meetings, vote on issues, and make laws for them.

DEMOCRACY: Comes from the greek words demos “people”, and kratos “power” - In other words, PEOPLE HAVE THE POWER

The Purpose of Government

While individuals make many of the decisions that affect their lives, it would not be practical

for every person living in Canada to individually make all of the decision needed to manage our

community.

In Canada, the RESPONSIBILITIES to make the decisions falls on the Government

Question: What age are you able to vote in Canada?

THE 3 LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT IN

CANADA

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

PROVINCIAL/TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT

MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT

Federal Government

Provincial / Territorial Government

Municipal Government

Federal GovernmentThe Federal Government are in charge of:Typically anything that is common between the provinces and territories• Taxes• National defence• Foreign Policy• Regulates trade• Criminal Law• Citizenship and Immigration• Money and Banking• Patents and Copyrights• Indian Affairs• Postal Service

Federal Government

Questions:1. Who is the leader of the Federal Government?2. Who is the first ever Prime Minister of Canada?

Provincial / Territorial Government

• Provincial Taxation• Civil Law• Natural Resources and Environment• Hospitals• Provincial prisons• Social Services• Education• Energy

Provincial / Territorial Government

Question:1. Who is the Provincial Premier of

Saskatchewan? 2. What Political party does the Premier belong to?

Municipal Government

• Electricity• Water and sewage

• Garbage and recycling• Emergency Services

• Libraries• Public transit

• Land-use• Animal control

• Bylaws

Municipal Government

Question: 1. Who is the Mayor (“Reeve”) of Regina?

2. Where is the Mayor’s office: City Hall, Legislative Building, or T.C. Douglas Building?

Aboriginal Governance in Saskatchewan

Municipal Level: First Nations reserves are governed by Band Councils. Each band council is led by an elected Chief and councillors.

Provincial Level: Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN). They actually work with the Federal, Provincial, and Municipal Governments to achieve the goals of: protection of treaty rights, supporting economic development and education, and many more.

Federal Level: Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.

Queen Elizabeth & the Crown

Queen Elizabeth II is the Queen of England, but she is also the Queen of Canada. This is because long ago Canada was a colony belonging to England. As time passed, the Queen’s supreme power was lost or given up by the elected government. Today, the Queen’s role is merely CEREMONIAL, and she does not have much power over Canada. However, she is still considered the HEAD OF GOVERNMENT, and all laws are still passed in her name.

Governor General

Lord Stanley

The Queen elects a Governor General to be her representative.

David Johnston

Question: What team did the LA Kings beat in last year’s Lord Stanley Cup

Finals?

Prime Minister

Roles: • Leads the Federal

Government• Meets with leaders of

other countries on behalf of Canada

• Meets with Provincial Leaders

• Names people to important jobs in the Federal Government.

• Chooses the date for the next election (5 years)

Important:We don’t elect the Prime Minister. We

elect his party.

Question:1. What political party does our Prime Minister

belong to?

2. Has there ever been a female Prime Minister of Canada?