How Canadians Govern

Themselves

May 15th, 2013

Canada’s System of Government

Federal State

Parliamentary Democracy

Constitutional Monarchy

5

4 3

Canada, 18671: Nova Scotia; 2: PEI3: New Brunswick4: Quebec ; 5: Ontario

The beginningsFirst Elected Assemblies:

Nova Scotia – 1758 PEI – 1773 New Brunswick – 1785 Quebec – 1793

British North America Act or Constitution Act – 1867

Constitution Act; Charter of Rights and Freedoms – 1982

1

Map of Canada in 1867

2

Canada, 2013

Queen Elizabeth IIRepresented in Canada by the Governor

General David Johnston

Senate105 Senators appointed on the Prime

Minister’s recommendation. Serve until retirement or age 75. Cannot be fired.

House of Commons308 members elected by Canadian citizens every 4 years, no term limits if re-elected.

Includes government and opposition members

Prime Minister Stephen Harper

and Cabinet (36 Ministries)

Executive Branch

LegislativeBranch

Parliamentary Democracy

Federal Court of Appeal

Federal Court of Canada

Tax Court of Canada

Provincial & Territorial Superior

Courts

Provincial Courts

Provincial Courts of Appeal

Supreme Court of CanadaNine judges appointed by the Governor

General

Judiciary Branch

The 3 Branches of Canada’s Government

Queen

Senate

House of Commons

Prime Minister and Cabinet (36 Ministries)

Executive Branch

LegislativeBranch

Judicial Branch

Federal Court

Supreme Court of Canada

Provincial Courts

How do the 3 branches of government relate to each other?

The House of Commons308 MPs for 34.8 million people (about 1MP per 100,000)

106

75 36

28

14

14

11107

4111

Ontario

Quebec

BC

Alberta

Manitoba

Saskatchewan

Nova Scotia

New Brunswick

Newfoundland & Labrador

Prince Edward Island

Northwest Territories

Nunavut.

Yukon Territory

The House of CommonsNumber of Members of Parliament per Province and Territory

Do you know who is your MP?

Elizabeth MayCaucus: Green PartyConstituency: Saanich-Gulf Islands

Randall GarrisonCaucus: NDPConstituency: Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca

Murray RankinCaucus: NDPConstituency: Victoria

How a Bill becomes Law

Constitutional Monarchy

The Queen

The Governor General

The LieutenantGovernors

“Does it Work?”

Legislative Assembly of British Columbia

BC MLA Seats per Party

Party before 2013

elections

after 2013

elections

Liberal 45 50

NDP 36 33

Independent

4 1

Green 0 1

Conservative

0 0

Total 85

Legislative Assembly of British Columbia

New MLAs in Greater Victoria - 2013

Name Caucus

Constituency

Maureen Karagianis

NDP Esquimalt-Royal Roads

Andrew Weaver Green Oak Bay-Gordon Head

Gary Holman NDP Saanich North & Gulf Islands

Lana Pophan NDP Saanich South

Carol James NDP Victoria-Beacon Hill

Rob Fleming NDP Victoria-Swan Lake

BC’s Political LandscapeE

con

om

ic L

eft

Eco

nom

ic Rig

ht

Social Liberalism

Social Conservatism

CON

NDP

GREEN

LIB

Source: adapted from Vote Compass

How does Canada’s System of Government Affects me?

How Canadians Govern

Themselves

May 15th, 2013

Thank you!