Chapter 9 Flashcards
Government
a decision-making system
traditions
established rules and practices
Democracy
- means “rule by the people”
- first practiced by ancient greeks
direct democracy
when every eligible citizen participates directly by voting on all decisions that affect society
representative democracies
ex. Canada
- allow elected representatives to make decisions on their behalf
constitutional monarchy
the recgonition of a monarch as head of state
What is the constitution?
a legal document that outlines who should have the power to make various decisions
- everyone (including monarchy) must follow laws
3 main parts of the constitution
- description of the powers and authority of of provincial legislatures and Parliment
- a Charter of Rights and Freedoms (outline basic rights and responsibilites of Canadians)
- an amending formula that shows how the Constitution may be changed or altered (7/10 provinces must agree)
federal system
an organization of regional governments (provinces) each acting on behalf of its own residents with a central government in Ottawa
- sometimes reffered to federalism
residual powers
- leftover powers
- powers that the federal government takes care of that wasnt listed in/didnt exist when the confederation was made
ex. cable tv, computers, modems, faxes
Federal responsibilites
- national defense
- foreign policy
- postal services
- banking system
- marriage & divorce law
- criminal law
- federal prisions
federal and provincial responsibilites
- immigration
- agriculture
- health care
- natural resources
- environmental issues
provincial responsibilites
- education
- charities
- health services & hospitals
- licences
- highways
- provincial court system
- provincial police & prisions
branches of government (canada)
executive power, legislative power, judicial power
executive power
- power to make decisions and administer them (through civil service)
ex. municipal: inspect businesses,
ex. provincial: # exams a student needs to write
ex. federal: decide to purchase helicopter for defense
legislative power
- power to make laws
- all levels have power to make and amend laws
judicial power
- power to interpret and adminster the law
- this branch is seperate from goverment
- power rests w/ courts and judges
Legislative branch
House of commons, GG, senate
House of Commons
- only part w/ elected members
- elections must occur every 5 yrs
- canada is divided into ridings which elect 1 candidate to represent them
- MP’s (member’s of parliment)
- number of seats is determined by population
- legislative branch
speaker of the house
an elected MP
- has a range of duties
- oversees the impartial operation of the Parliament (including PM)
the offical opposition
- scrutinize the actions of the government
- helps ensures all Canadian views are heard
offical leader of the opposition
the leader of the second largest party
caucus
- private meetings by the political parties
- explain propositions, concerns, actions, policies
- MP’s allowed to express their opinion
- however in the House of Commons they are expected to vote with their party
free vote
allows members of the legislature to vote accodring to what they believe instead of following their party
- rarely happens
- usally moral issues
senate
- appoints its own speaker/ runs own affairs
- GG appoints senate on PM reccomandation
- must be 30+ yrs, live where they represent, own property
- can introduce bills, debate, pass them/send to commons
- # senates depend on population of region
- legislative branch
patronage
- reward
- senate position is often a form of patronage for their loyalty/support of PM
executive branch
GG, PM, cabinet, public service
GG
- monarch’s representative
- gives formal assent (agreement) to a bill before it becomes a law
- performs ceremonial functions
- acts as an adviser to government
PM
- leader of the political party w/ most elected representatives
- has jobs to do as head of government, national leader and party leader
political party
an organization of individuals who support a set of common goals and beliefs
PM jobs - head of government
- asks GG to name new judges & senators
- decides on best time for election
- has the final say in creating the policies of government in party
PM jobs - national leader
- address Canadians on issues of concern
- explains his party’s goals
- represents canada on trips/ meetings
PM jobs - party leader
- acts as spokesperosn
- rewards loyal supporters
- government ops - businesses
- leads other party members in parliment
cabinet
- made up of elected PM’s chosen by PM
- usually each member is responsible for a department
party whip
- ensures that members are present in Parliment/support party bills and vote
public service
AKA civil service/ bureaucracy
- group of permanent emplyees who perfrom the ongoing businesses of gov.
- jobs have a lrg. range ex. statistics, details for new laws, collect taxes, deliver mail
private member’s bill
a bill that was introduced by a member of the house of commons that is not a member of the cabinet
14 steps from bill to law
Cabinet Minister has idea for bill 1. Idea explained to cabinet 2. Cabinet approves idea 3. Lawyers draft bill 4. Cabinet committee examines bill 5. Cabinet and caucus approve bill 6. Bill introduced to House of Commons or Senate for first reading 7. Second reading 8. House debates and votes on principle of bill 9. Parliamentary committee examines bill 10. House amends bill 11. Third reading, debate and vote 12. Bill passes house 13. Senate (or HC) examines, debates and amends bill 14. Bill passes senate GG gives formal assent; bill is now law
Where do citizens have say in lawmaking process?
after the second reading
- multi-party standing committee is assigned to study the bill - who often let public have say
Federal vs Provincial
GG : Lieutenant-Governor PM : Premier Cabinet: Cabinet House of Commons :Legislative/National Assembly Senate : NA Public Service : Public Service
name of leader of city council
mayor / reeve / chairperson / overseer/ warden
Mayor’s jobs/duties
- head of city council
- acts as spokesperson for whole community
- in charge of day to day ops of departments
city council duty
approves budgets of departments
city departments duty
enforce by-laws passed by council
voters
- elect councillors, one from each ward
- elect mayor
- pay fees to departments (recieve service back)
Aboriginal self-government
- use bands councils /elders
- leader is a chief
- deal w/ premier and federal ministers (more than a mayor)
- chief negotiates w/ government issues (licences highway access, education)
- negotiate increaded powers/control governing their own affairs
1867
BNA act
Constitution created
1982
Constitution amended
List for areas for which provincial governments are responsible
Education
Health and social welfare
Environment
Transportation
