Foundation of Government
• British roots
• Representative Democracy– elected representatives make
decisions on our behalf
• Constitutional Monarchy– monarch has only the powers laid
out in the nation’s constitution and laws
Division of Power
•Federal Responsibilities
•Provincial Responsibilities
•Shared Responsibilities•See p. 224
•Residual Powers•areas that did not exist or were not
listed in 1867 are assigned to the federal government
Municipal Government
• Responsibilities– Garbage collection, sewage
treatment, fire protection, water supply and the establishment of schools
• Powers given and taken away by Province
Branches of Government
Executive Branchmake decisions and administer them (through the civil service)
Legislative Branchmake laws
Judicial Branchinterpret and administer the law
Executive Branch
• Makes decisions and administers them (through the civil service)
• Federal– Governor General, Prime Minister,
Cabinet, Civil/Public Service
• Governor General – mostly ceremonial, Royal Assent
• Prime Minister – head of government, nation, political party
Executive Branch
• Cabinet – MPs chosen by PM to lead government ministries– Cabinet shuffle– Cabinet solidarity– Party whip
• Public Service– employees who perform the on-
going business of government
Legislative Branch
• Makes laws• Federal
– Governor General, House of Commons, Senate
• House of Commons – 308 MPs– Constituency– Caucus– Speaker of the House– Free Vote
Legislative Branch
• Senate– Appointed by GG on PM’s
recommendation• Patronage• Selected regionally
– “sober second thought”
Provincial Government
Federal British Columbia
Governor General Lieutenant Governor
Prime Minister Premier
Cabinet Cabinet
House of Commons Legislative Assembly
Member of Parliament (MP)
Member of Legislative Assembly
(MLA)
Senate No Equivalent
How a Bill Becomes a Law• See p. 237
• Bill Drafted – by MP or Senator, but usually Cabinet
• First Reading - bill is introduced
• Second Reading - bill is debated and possibly changed• multi-party committee studies bill
(Committee Stage)
• Third Reading - bill is accepted or rejected (vote)
• Senate – may suggest changes
• Royal Assent – GG signs it; bill is now law
Elections
• Eligibility Requirements– 18 years old and a Canadian citizen
• Three Stages: Campaigning, Voting, and Tabulating
• PM asks GG to call an election– At least once every five years– Reasons: government is popular, test for
support, catch the opposition at a bad time, vote of non-confidence, or budget defeated
Elections
• First Past the Post – whoever has the most votes wins– Pros: simple, easy to understand– Cons: all or nothing, fewer people may have
voted for winner than others
• Proportional Representation– % of votes = % of seats– Pros: more representation from other parties– Cons: little local representation, minority
governments