The Federal GovernmentSTRUCTURE OF A CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY

Roots of the Canadian GovernmentThe principal features of our democratic government is that it is both

A) Representative (not Direct)

B) A Constitutional Monarchy

Representative- Democracy literally means “rule by the people”

- Direct Democracy means that every eligible citizen participated directly by voting in all the decisions that affected society (Greeks)

- In a REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY citizens allow elected officials to act on their behalf

- Why?

Constitutional Monarchy- Recognition of the monarch (Queen Elizabeth II) as the Head of State, represented by the Governor General

- Not involved in everyday affairs (eg. Royal assent) BUT represents a safeguard for our democracy

- The Crown has ultimate power/authority to ensure that no one can ignore the law (not even the PM)

Governor General- Because the Queen has lots to do, she has an appointed representative to rule on her behalf in Canada.

- This person is called the Governor General. They are appointed by the Prime Minister.

GG. David Johnston

How our Government Runs: The Parliamentary System- Because our government is Democratic, we have a parliament that acts on behalf of the citizens

- The Parliament is made up of all the elected representatives from throughout Canada. They are known as Members of Parliament (MP’s)

- Canada’s Head of Government is the Prime Minister. He is the leader of the elected party.

How our Government is structured- Our Federal Government has three “Branches”

1) Executive Branch: has the power to administer and carry out laws, eg:

- setting the budget, making purchases for national defense, running the day to day operations of Canada etc.

2) Legislative Branch: has the power to make and amend laws

- setting employment insurance levels, creating taxes on carbon emissions

3) Judicial Branch: Has the power to decide who has broken those laws and how to set penalties

Executive Branch: PM

- Comprised of the Prime Minister, the Cabinet, and the Governor General

Legislative Branch: House of Commons- The House of Commons is where the elected MP’s meet to pass legislation and govern the country

- Heated debates between MP’s of different parties

Legislative Branch cont.: The Senate- The Senate overlooks Bills (pieces of legislation) that have been passed by the House of Commons. Very rarely do they refuse a bill that has been passed by the H.O.C.

- The Senate is not an elected body. Members of the Senate are appointed by the Prime Minister.

- Being chosen for the Senate is seen as a “reward” for public service. Senators can hold office (and collect their nice large salaries $$$) until they are 75. Some people think the senate should be abolished…

Judicial Branch- The Judiciary is separate from the other two branches to ensure that the government acts within the boundaries of the Constitution and the law.

- Judges act as "referees" of private rights and interpreters of the Constitution

- Supreme Court, Federal Court, Provincial Court, Tax Court