Social Chapter 1 Canada's Federal Political System

ALL Canada's Courts of Law

(Supreme and Provincial/Territorial Courts)

Judicial Branch Includes

- ALL Canada's Courts of Law (Supreme and Provincial/Territorial Courts) - The Supreme Court

Senators Role and Responsibilities

- Examine and revise the legislation, provide a "sober, second thought", review federal legislation clause by clause, have the power to introduce bills - Investigate national Canadian issues, contribute to in-depth studies on public issues - Represent regional, provincial and minority interests

The legislative Branch includes

- House of Commons - Made up of elected MP's - Senate - Governor General

Canada's Constitution:

- Is the written law that describes all governance in Canada - It sets out the role of the governor general and the different roles of the three branches of government: - Executive - Legislative - Judicial - Also sets out other important institutions in Canada

Selection Process and Qualifications of MP's

- MP's are elected in a general election

How a Bill Becomes a Law

- Members of Parliament introduce bills in the House of Commons or Senate. - There is a First reading which introduces the bill. - The Second reading prompts a debate which leads to a Committee Discussion. - Next, there is a Third reading, followed by a vote. - The bill is then sent to the Senate for further debate and another vote. If all votes are in favour, the bill becomes a law and - sent to the Governor General to be signed.

Senators Selection Process and Qualifications

- Senators are not elected. They are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. - Senators must be at least 30 years old and retire by the age of 75.

Executive Branch includes

- The Prime Minister (PM) - The Cabinet

Roles and Responsibilities of MP's

-Representing constituents in Parliament (the 'people's' representatives in the House of Commons) - Making Laws

three branches of government:

Executive Legislative Judicial

Legislative Branch Role

Role: Makes laws Represents the interests and rights of Canada's regions (voters)

Executive Branch Roles

Role: Proposes most laws Puts laws into action Runs the day-to-day business of government

Judicial Branch Roles

Role: To interpret and enforce laws To make arrests and hear trials and protect constitutional rights

The Executive Branch

THE PART OF GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBLE FOR PUTTING LAWS INTO ACTION

The Judicial Branch

THE PART OF GOVERNMENT THAT INTERPRETS AND APPLIES THE LAW BY MAKING LEGAL JUDGEMENTS

The Legislative Branch AKA - Canada's Parliament

THE PART OF GOVERNMENT THAT MAKES LAWS

House of Commons

The major law making body. They debate, study and vote on laws called BILLS. Made up of elected MP's (Members of Parliament)

Prime Minister (PM)

head of Canada's government

The Supreme Court

is the highest (most powerful) - it has the final word on all legal questions in the country.

The Cabinet

made up of leaders of different government departments or agencies (also called portfolios) - They are MP's or Senators that are chosen by the Prime Minister

Senate

represent the interests and rights of Canada's regions, and especially Canada's minorities. The Senate's job is to give "second thought" to a bill. They pretty much do what the House of Commons does all over again.

Governor General

represents Britain's Monarch in Canada

Majority Government

the political party in power wins the majority of seats in the House of Commons (More than 50%)

Minority Government

the political party in power wins the most seats in the House of Commons, but not the majority of the seats. In this case, they will need to rely on the support of at least one other party to ensure that more than 50 percent of MP's will vote for the government's proposals. Our current government is a Minority government.