Canadian Government Systems
Levels of Government
Municipal Government – This is a local council (and mayor) with authority that provides local services, facilities, safety and infrastructure for communities. (Mayor of Surrey – Linda Hepner)
|
Provincial Government - The ten provincial and the three territorial governments put the thoughts of their people in their area first. They take care of public schooling, health and social services, highways (major roads), the administration of justice, and meet with their local governments. (Premier of British Columbia- Christy Clark)
|
Federal Government- The federal government is the national government of Canada, centered in Ottawa. The federal government plays a huge role in Canadians' lives — from the determining of what taxes should be placed, to the nation’s social services, and from the control of international trade, to the protection of national security. (Prime Minister of Canada- Justin Trudeau)
|
Different Positions in Canadian Government
Mayor This position of power is directly elected or appointed by an elected city council. The city council is an elected body of legislators who govern the municipality. The mayor is the highest position in a municipality government and is responsible for the city’s local services, facilities, safety and infrastructure (etc.) Premier A premier is the highest minister of a provincial government. Under Canada's system of provincial government, the premier is both a member of the provincial legislative assembly and the head of the executive. The premier normally holds a seat in the legislative assembly, being elected one of the head people responsible for a province/territory. In addition, they also advise the lieutenant governor on whom to appoint to the cabinet and they guide legislation through the legislature. Premiers exercise power within the Canadian federal government as well Prime Minister The prime minister is not directly elected. Instead after the public vote for a single M.P. (Member of Parliament), a representative from their constituency, has majority in the Commons then the leader of that party will be appointed the role of Prime Minister. Being head of the federal government, the prime minister plays a huge role in Canadians' lives, from the collection of taxes to the delivery of social services, and from the supervision of international trade to the safeguarding of national security. |
(Left) Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau and (Right) Premier of British Columbia, Christy Clark
Canadian Cabinet
|
The Cabinet
The Cabinet members, part of the executive branch, reflect cultural, linguistic and social diversity of the nation. The cabinet's main job is to initiate, purpose and prepare laws (they submit bills to become laws). They are appointed by the Prime Minister and are also in the parliament to give full support to the Prime Minister (express Cabinet Solidarity).
The Governor General
The Governor General (David Johnston) is the Monarch's representative (the Queen). Their power is purely ceremonial and ritualistic. The Governor General's main job is to help the Prime Minister to pick senates, cabinet members, give the royal assent when passing a bill to become into law and to call elections.
The Lieutenant-Governor
Each province and territory in Canada has their own lieutenant-governor. This position also represents the Queen, but at a provincial/territorial level and is appointed by the governor general, with some advice from the Prime Minister of course.
Senators (Members of the Senate)
The senators (part of the legislative branch) must be Canadian citizens, at least 30 years of age, living in the province or territory they represent, and must own at least $4000 worth of property. The senate is responsible for the final check on the legislation passed to the House of Commons. Senators are appointed by the Governor General on recommendations by the Prime Minister.
Judges
The judges (judicial branch) are appointed by the Governor General. They are there to decide who has broken the law and are there to make penalties to whom that do so.
Member of the Legislative Assembly (M.L.A.)
These members are part of the provincial/territorial government and are elected into their positions.
Member of Parliament (M.P.)
The members of parliament are part of the legislative branch in the federal government. M.P.'s are elected representatives that sit in the Lower House.
The Cabinet members, part of the executive branch, reflect cultural, linguistic and social diversity of the nation. The cabinet's main job is to initiate, purpose and prepare laws (they submit bills to become laws). They are appointed by the Prime Minister and are also in the parliament to give full support to the Prime Minister (express Cabinet Solidarity).
The Governor General
The Governor General (David Johnston) is the Monarch's representative (the Queen). Their power is purely ceremonial and ritualistic. The Governor General's main job is to help the Prime Minister to pick senates, cabinet members, give the royal assent when passing a bill to become into law and to call elections.
The Lieutenant-Governor
Each province and territory in Canada has their own lieutenant-governor. This position also represents the Queen, but at a provincial/territorial level and is appointed by the governor general, with some advice from the Prime Minister of course.
Senators (Members of the Senate)
The senators (part of the legislative branch) must be Canadian citizens, at least 30 years of age, living in the province or territory they represent, and must own at least $4000 worth of property. The senate is responsible for the final check on the legislation passed to the House of Commons. Senators are appointed by the Governor General on recommendations by the Prime Minister.
Judges
The judges (judicial branch) are appointed by the Governor General. They are there to decide who has broken the law and are there to make penalties to whom that do so.
Member of the Legislative Assembly (M.L.A.)
These members are part of the provincial/territorial government and are elected into their positions.
Member of Parliament (M.P.)
The members of parliament are part of the legislative branch in the federal government. M.P.'s are elected representatives that sit in the Lower House.
Different Branches of Government
Executive Branch - This branch in the Canadian government has the power to administer and carry out laws. Its main job is to make decisions in the government and set policies. It is composed of the Prime minister, the Governor General (Monarch’s Representative) and the Cabinet.
|
Legislative Branch - This branch in the Canadian government has the power to make, repel, change, and amend laws. It is composed of the Governor General, the House of Commons, and the Senate.
|
Judicial Branch - this branch in the Canadian government has the power to decide and administer who has broken the laws and set penalties to whom that do so. Judges are public officers are appointed to preside and administer the law in a court of justice. Basically, they are the supreme supervisors of the political playground.
|
Article
“Minister Dion to Attend Ministerial Conference on Peacekeeping in Francophone Environments October 27, 2016 Global News- The Canadian Press
In the above-mentioned article, published by the news of Global Affairs, Canadian citizens hear Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs, gave his announcement about attending a ministerial conference on peacekeeping in francophone environments. The conference took place in Paris, France, on October 27, 2016. The article mentioned above stated that Canada will co-chair the conference with countries such as, Senegal, Bangladesh and Germany. During the conference, Canada (Prime Minister Justin Trudeau) specified that they will re-engage in United Nations Peacekeeping operations and keep on pursuing to build a world that is better for all people to live in. This ministerial conference shows how the government system works in Canada because it displays how the federal level’s executive branch deals with its responsibilities involving Canada's foreign affairs, in an organized and effective manner. http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do;jsessionid=a2f5af7c71a16b2948eec8eb5c276b6f5828fa7d4a1a58debfd46d3eb71389c1.e38RbhaLb3qNe3eMaxb0?mthd=tp&crtr.page=1&nid=1143449&crtr.tp1D=1 |
“As a committed architect of peace, Canada will do its part to build a safer world. During the conference, I will discuss Canada’s contribution to these operations in the world and reaffirm our commitment to the UN.” |