+

Levels of Government

+Executive Branch (pg. 62)

Federal level – Prime Minister, Cabinet (elected by the PM), and Public/Civil Service Cabinet – the administrative branch that sets policy,

administers laws and controls government spending.

Provincial Level – Permier, Cabinet (elected by the premier), and Public/Civil Service

+Legislative Branch – pg. 63

Federal Level (A.K.A. Parliament) – House of Commons and the Senate. The level that actually passes statute laws.

The Senate, which is the upper house of parliament, is made up of members appointed by the Governor General. They retain their position until they are 75, unless they die or resign. The Senate has a great deal of power and can defeat

legislation that has passed through the House of Commons.

Provincial Level (A.K.A. Legislature) – The same as the federal level but do not have senates.

+The Judiciary A part of government independent of the executive and

legislative branches.

Made up of justices (judges) who adjudicate disputes, interprets the law, and decide on punishments in Canada’s court system.

Positions are based on merit, not political affiliation.

The Supreme Court of Canada

At a provincial level, the Provincial Court of Appeal, the Superior Court (for serious offenses), the Provincial Court (for less serious matters). Court of Appeal and Superior Court are federal

appointments.

+Bill – Proposed Legislation

Federal Level and is usually introduced by the Cabinet minister of the department most affected by the bill. This bill is then called a government or public bill.

Government bills are rarely defeated if the government holds the majority of seats in the house of commons.

Public member’s bill – a bill that is introduced by an MP. It goes through the House of Commons the same way but it is more difficult to pass where it did not start out with Cabinet support.

See chart on page 65