The Canadian Government

Canada: Three Levels of Government

Canada has three levels of government

1. Federal Government (for all of Canada)2. Provincial or territorial government (for a province

or territory)3. Municipal or local government (for local

communities)

In Canada Aboriginal self-government occurs at different levels:

First Nations, Inuit and Metis people are able to govern their own communities.

Responsibilities of Federal Government

Federal Government makes decisions related to maters of nation wide importance. Ex: Foreign Trade and relations Currency Defense Immigration

Pay for it: Income taxes, the GST (Goods and Services tax)

Provincial and Territorial Governments

Responsible for:

Property and civil rights Marriage license Education Alcohol (LCBO) Driving

Taxes: sales tax, “sin taxes”= alcohol and tobacco.

Local Governments

Responsible for services that affect the daily lives of people living in their communities. Police/fire departments Streets/roads Transit Water/sewage Libraries Etc . . .

Branches of Government in Canada

Executive Branch Job is to carry out the business of government.

• HEAD OF GOVERNMENT

Stephen Harper

Prime Minister of Canada

Head of State

Canada is a constitutional monarchy meaning we have both a constitution and a monarchy.

So our official head of state is:

THE QUEEN: Elizabeth II

But the Queen doesn’t live inCanada so she has herRepresentative here who is?

The Governor General

Representative of the British Monarch in CDA. Gov. Gen is a figurehead meaning is symbolic

leader only.Yet still follows tradition and appoints the PM

and dissolves (closes) parliament Used to be British but now Canadian The PM selects the Governor General Governor General provides “royal assent” meaning signs

bills into laws. Welcomes dignitaries Reads the “speech from the throne” : the plans in a new

session of government.

David Johnston

Lieutenant Governor

lieutenant governor queen’s representative in each province.

Appointment by PM for a term of 5 years.

Duties include signing bills into law, reading the Speech from the Throne, and promoting the province.

The Prime Minister and Cabinet

PM and his/her cabinet hold the real power of the federal executive branch.

The PM is the leader of the political party with the most elected members of Parliament (MPs), in the House of Commons.

MP’s work in the House of Commons.

The cabinet is chosen by the PM following an election.

The Cabinet

The Cabinet cont . . .

The PM chooses member of his/her cabinet from their political parties.

Each cabinet member (MP) looks after their department also known as portfolios. Ex: Finance, Justice, Health, Defense. They would then be known as the Minister of Finance.

Backbenchers: MP’s in the governing party who are not in the cabinet but who sit behind them in parliament.