Branches of Government: Overview of the Three Branches

•Legislative

ExecutiveJudicial

Need to Know

1. The role of each branch2. The positions in each branch

3. Who decides who will be in each position? And how do they decide?

4. The work of each branch

Legislative branch

1.Role: To create laws2.Positions in this branch:

A. House of Commons (H of C)B. SenateC. The Monarch: King/Queen

Governor General (GG) Lieutenant Governor (LG)

Peter Stokes

New B.C. Lieutenant Governor

Legislative Branch Continued

3. Who selects and how?A. H of C: People by votingB. Senate: PM by appointmentC. GG PM and appointment

by the Queen

Legislative Branch (Cont’d)

4. The work of this branchTo pass laws (from bills)This involves the H of C and Senate

CommitteesOrigins of Bills: Cabinet

Private Members BillGG provides Royal Assent

Executive Branch

1.RolesA.Carries out (implements) the

country’s laws

B. Operates the administration of government

Parliament

Executive Branch (cont’d)

2. Positions in this branch: A. The MonarchGGLG B. Prime Minister (PM) C. Cabinet D. Bureaucracy Departments/ ministries Crown corporations Regulatory agencies Advisory bodies

Stephen Harper

Queen Elizabeth 2

David Johnston

Executive Branch (Cont’d)

3. Who selects and how:A. GG: PM with appointment by the Queen

B. PM: chosen by the political party

C. Cabinet: Appointed by Pm

D. Bureaucracy: Appointed by Gov’t and hired

Executive Branch (cont’d)

4. The work of this branch:A. GG: ceremonialB. PM:

I. Selects GG, Cabinet II. Management of Political Party III.Power of Organizing the

Government: Departments, PMOC. Power of Dissolution

Executive Branch (cont’d)

. Cabinet: Operates by Order-in-CouncilOverseas Gov’t Departments

A. Ministers of permanent departments

B. Ministers of State: small subordinated departments

C. Ministers without portfolio

Executive Branch (cont’d)

4. Bureaucracy and Gov’t Dept’s To administer Gov’tTo provide Gov’t services

A. Departments B. Crown Corporations C. Regulatory Agencies: set rules for

business Ex. CRTC

D. Advisory Bodies Royal commissions Tax forces

Judicial Branch

1. Role: Interprets the lawAdjudicates legal disputes2. Positions in this branch:

A. Judges B. Courts

Supreme Court of Canada

Judicial Branch Cont’d

3. Who selects and how:A. Superior Court Judges:

Appointed by PM

B. Provincial Court Judges:Appointed by provincial Government

Provincial Judge Carol Baird

Judicial Branch Cont’d

4. The work of this branch

JudgesInterpret the lawAdjudicated disputes over rights

Chief Judge Ernie Waltera

That’s It !!!

DO YOUR NOTES!!DO YOUR NOTES!!