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Our Canadian Government

How does the Canadian Government work?

What is a constitution?

Supreme law of the landOutlines the government structure for a

nationDefines and limits government power

Canada’s Constitution

British North America (BNA) Act, 1867 set out the powers of the federal and provincial

governments Ontario, Quebec, Novia Scotia and New Brunswick

Several individual acts between 1867 and 1982

Constitution Act, 1982 “Patriated” the constitution (brought it home from

Britain) Included the Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Summary of all of the acts: http://www.kidzone.ws/geography/constitution.htm

Why Federal System?

BNA Act split up powers over Federal and Provincial government

Provinces given certain powers because

Canada was big and different issues affected different areasJurisdiction: the authority to make and carry

out lawsResidual Powers: areas not listed in the

Constitution are in the power of the federal government

Who Does What?

Who does what?

Federal Provincial Municipal

Area

Responsibilities

Constitutional Monarchy

Canada is a consitutional monarchy The Queen of England is the head of state Given very limited power, part of tradition Governor General represents the Queen in Canada

Canada’s head of state is:

Canada’s Governor General is:

Direct vs Representative Democracy

Direct Democracy Representative Democracy

• Every citizen participates directly in decisions of the government• Examples: ancient Greece,

• Citizens vote for representatives• The representatives come from Electoral Districts (aka ridings)• They make decisions on behalf of citizens

Representatives

Federal Provincial Municipal

Name for Representatives

Name for Leader

Who currently holds that position?

Factors affecting government

Diverse cultural historyGeographyValues, Beliefs, IdeologiesEconomicsTechnology and industryInternational influences

Common Good

Greatest good for the greatest number of people

Our government attempts to work for the common good of it’s citizens

We can challenge decisions thanks to freedom of expression and association

Social Movement: organized campaign by large groups lobbying the government

Assignment: What’s News?

Grab a newspaper (Remember that the Metro is available free at subways)

Find 3 articles connected to the government: One for Federal One for Provincial One for Municipal

For each article, write down the title of the article and answer the questions: What is the article about? Who is involved? What level of government is responsible? What difficulties might the government face in making a

decision on the issue?Due: Thursday, February 27