A LOOK AT OUR GOVERNMENT

1
A LOOK AT OUR GOVERNMENT
2
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Executive Branch
QUEEN
Formal Executive
GOVERNOR GENERAL
Judicial Branch
PRIME MINISTER
SUPREME COURT OF CANADA
Legislative Branch
HOUSE OF COMMONS
SENATE
Political Executive
FEDERAL COURT
CABINET
3
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT
Executive Branch
QUEEN
Formal Executive
LIEUTENANTGOVERNOR
Judicial Branch
PREMIER
SUPREME COURT OF PROVINCE
Legislative Branch
LEGISLATURE
Political Executive
PROVINCIAL COURTS
CABINET
4
EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT

• The Executive Branch carries out the plans and
  policies of the government.
• At the Federal Level of government, the Executive
  branch is made up of the Prime Minister, the
  Cabinet, and the public service.
• At the Provincial Level it is made up of the
  Premier, the Provincial cabinet and the
  provincial public service.
• Canadas constitution declares that all laws are
  made in the name of the Queen, represented by the
  Governor General at the Federal Level, and the
  Lieutenant Governor at the Provincial Level.
• The daily running of the government is done by
  the Prime Minister and Cabinet at the Federal
  Level and the Premier and Cabinet at the
  Provincial Level.

5
MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE
GOVERNOR GENERAL The Governor General is the
representative of Queen Elizabeth in Canada and
performs the duties that the Queen would do if
she were here. The Governor General gives royal
assent to Laws, greets foreign dignitaries,
appoints senators and Supreme Court Judges, and
begins sessions of Parliament. The Lieutenant
Governor does the same duties in the
Province. PRIME MINISTER Is the leader of the
Canada and head of the Federal Government. He
speaks on behalf of all Canadians at national and
international meetings. He addresses citizens on
issues of the nation, and represents Canada on
trips abroad. The Prime Minister also recommends
new judges and senators for appointment. And, as
head of his political party, he also acts as
spokesperson for that party. CABINET Is the
group of ministers that decides what the
government policy should be. Cabinet Members are
chosen by the Prime Minister and have
responsibility for particular departments of
government, such as Foreign Affairs, Defence, and
Justice. Members of the Cabinet are called
Ministers, and the Prime Minister leads the
Cabinet.
6
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT

• HOUSE OF COMMONS
• The Legislative Branch of Government, also called
  Parliament, is the branch that has the power to
  make, change and cancel laws.
• The most powerful part of the Legislative Branch
  at the federal level is the House of Commons in
  Ottawa. Elected representatives meet to discuss
  and vote on public issues in the House of
  Commons. Representatives at the federal level
  are called Members of Parliament or MPs.
• MPs and regularly discuss and debate issues and
  government policies. These debates are
  controlled by the Speaker of the House (also an
  MP).
• The legislature in the Province models the House
  of Commons and the representatives at the
  provincial level are called Members of Provincial
  Parliament or MPPs.

7

• SENATE
• The Senate is referred to as the upper house of
  Parliament.
• The Senate may propose bills, or ammend and
  repeal bills passed by the House of Commons.
• The Senate was established to reflect the British
  Parliament. The theory was that the Senate would
  serve as a reasonable check on the House of
  Commons.
• Senators are not elected. They are appointed by
  the Governor General on the recommendation of the
  Prime Minister. They may serve until they are 75
  years of age.
• In practice, the Senate acts as a rubber stamp
  for the House of Commons.
• The Provincial Government does not have a Senate.

8
JUDICIAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT

• The Judicial Branch is the part of government
  that deals with the law.
• In Canada, this branch is separate from the other
  two branches. This ensures that Parliament and
  its members are not above the law.
• The Judicial Branch is made up of the courts and
  the judges.
• They determine if people charged with crimes are
  guilty or innocent and decide on punishments for
  those found guilty.
• They also interpret laws when disputes arise
  between individuals, groups, or even different
  levels of government.