Review:
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The Legislative Branch
The House of Commons
This is the body where Members of Parliament (MP's) are elected by the general public during a federal election to sit on.
The country is split up into constituencies (total of 338 based on Canada's population size) and whichever candidate has the most votes wins the right to represent that constituency and take a "seat" in Parliament. When a particular political party wins the most "seats" in Parliament, they will take over and form government. The main parties in the Canadian political system include the Liberals, the Conservatives, the New Democratic Party, the Bloc Quebecois, and the Green Party. The leader of the political party that won will become the next Prime Minister of Canada. Every prime minister will have a large team of civil servants (normally the experts in that field) working for them. Only the ministers selected by the PM to Cabinet change during an election--not the civil servants/bureaucracy. The opposition is the political party with the second most seats in the House and their main job is to hold the government accountable for their decisions. This is a vital part of the Canadian political system as a strong opposition can ensure that controversial bills do not pass through as law. A government with a lot of seats in the House will be strong and able to pass most laws they want through Parliament. Conversely, a weak Government doesn't have the majority of the seats and has to rely on support from other parties to form an effective government. |
The Senate
The Senate is made up of 105 senators who are appointed by the Governor General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.
These senators are men and women from all of the provinces and from a wide variety of backgrounds. A senator is allowed to serve on the Senate until the age of 75 and has to be a Canadian citizen over age 30, own $4000 of equity in land in their home province, have over $4000 as personal net worth, and live in the province represented. Each province or territory has a set number of Senators--24 from the Maritimes, Quebec, and Ontario, 6 each from Alberta, BC, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, 6 from Newfoundland and Labrador, and a further 1 each from the three territories. The main role of the Senate is to read over and examine "bills" passed from the House of Commons. However, they can also initiate bills. This process ensures that no rogue bills will become law. Rarely will the Senate reject a bill--sending it back to the House for amendment. Senate amendments are usually accepted by the House of Commons. Bills are subjected to the full legislative process and if passed will be given to the Governor General for Royal Assent turning it into law. History: this body is called the "sober second thought" and has its origins from the old days where the wealthy and powerful who ran government before it became more democratic wanted to "slow down" the poor and lower-class from taking over. It also implies that the MP's in the House of Commons, who are ELECTED by the people, are drunk and irresponsible and cannot be trusted. Therefore, any decisions made by them need to be "looked after" by wealthier senators. |
Assignment: Review Workbook
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Taking Cornell Style Notes: |
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Vocabulary Terms:
Prime Minister
Governor General
Members of Parliament (MP's)
Speaker of the House
Party Whip
Cabinet
Cabinet Ministers
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--Leader of the party that gets the most seats in the House of Commons after an election
--most powerful person in Canada --the only official spokesperson for Canada --some major powers: leader of the military, can introduce a bill to Parliament that may become law, appoints judges, appoints senators, can call an election, selects cabinet ministers, etc. --The Queen's representative in Canada.
--selected by the Prime Minister and is then approved by the Queen --**the queen will not reject a person the PM endorses** --some major powers: signs bills into laws, dissolves Parliament upon the advice of PM to start an election process, opens Parliament and invites the new PM to form government, acts as an ambassador of Canada --elected officials that people have voted for to represent them in Parliament
--every MP represents one of 338 ridings in Canada --spends their time in offices taking phone calls or emails from their constituents/people they represent back home, going to caucus meetings, attending Parliament to hear debate on bills, voting, and attending fundraisers or dinners to raise money for election campaigns. --MP's must live in Ottawa for most of the year--paid for by taxpayers. (also gets free flights when they travel back and forth between their home areas and Ottawa) --an MP that has been selected to act as the "referee" of the House
--makes sure all rules are followed --can punish rulebreakers with fines or expulsion from the House --each party selects a person to be this role
--duties: "whip"/ persuade/pressure an MP to vote with the party's views --can threaten to kick the MP out of caucus --also in charge of reminding people to show up to vote!! --the PM's advisors
--Cabinet meets daily with the PM to discuss, ask questions, give advice, and help the PM come up with ideas for new laws. --will not hesitate to tell the PM if they are making a mistake on something. --Cabinet members are from the PM's party only --examples of ministries: Health, Finance, Defense, Arts & Culture, Fisheries, Immigration, Agriculture, Environment, Justice, First Nations & Northern Affairs, Transportation, Veteran Affairs, Public Safety. |
Case Study #1: Backbencher and Private Members' Bill
Backbencher
--all other MPs who don't have a portfolio to be responsible for. not much of a role but to cheer for your team and vote the way your party tells you to vote.
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Case Study #2: Question Period
Every afternoon when Parliament is in session, the Official Opposition gets to ask the government in power questions.
These questions are designed to put pressure on the government and make them look incompetent. TV cameras usually record these sessions because of the drama. The government will often be vague in their answers. |