Canadian Democracy

Vocabulary

Self relianceCompassion and Collective ResponsibilityEducationDemocracyFreedom and ToleranceEqualityFiscal Responsibility

NDP

Proponents of Social Democracy, believing that society is collectively organize by the state for the general good.

Desire comprehensive social welfare system with government regulation.

Supported by intellectuals, working poor and unionized labour.

Bloc Quebecois

Formed in 1990Sovereignty of

Quebec primary purpose of the party

Proponents of social welfare

 Advocate for Quebec within the Federal government

Liberals

Purpose of government is to assist the poor and disadvantaged group in society

Desire to develop the social welfare system

Proponents of less government regulation

larger role for the Federal government in promoting national unity

call for greater self-reliance by individuals

Conservatives

promote a social welfare system based on the individuals right to freedom of choice – MEANING?

reduce government involvement in all aspects of society

call for greater self-reliance of Canadians, being more competitive and individualistic

call for balanced budgets, eliminating the debt, equality of all the provinces – CURRENTLY?

Executive Branch -power to enforce and administer laws

Canada is a constitutional monarchyExecutive power officially lies in the British Monarchy

represented by the Governor General in Canada as the Head of State (symbolic power, figurehead). The Privy Council is the official term for those members of parliament who hold the executive power in the Canadian Government, the Prime Minister and his Cabinet. They are “appointed” by the Governor General (unwritten practice).

The Prime Minister and his Cabinet (Selection process)bear the responsibility of proposing and putting into practice the policies that guide our nation

The Prime Minister

Legislative Branch – power to make laws

The power to make laws rests in parliament which consists of the Senate and the house of Commons (the Governor General is also included but only due the royal assent he/she gives to bills).

Senate

Senate (Upper House) – acts as sober second thought for the House of Commons. Members are appointed by the Prime Minister.

Senators must be 30 years of age and serve until 75 generally without being subject to review (always?). Representation in the Senate is according to region.

Senate

“Triple E” Senate has been suggested as well as the abolition of the Senate.

ElectedEffective Equal

House of Commons

House of Commons (Lower House) Elected members of Parliament (MPs) in the House of Commons are responsible for the legislation introduced in parliament. Representation by population allows for each MP to represent roughly 100,000 Canadians. Power in the House of Commons is a result of the party system in Canada. Members of Parliament represent political parties and the party with the greatest number of seats has the right to form the government. If this party has over 50% of the seats in the house it forms a majority government. A minority government exists when the government has less than 50% of the seats and must therefore recruit the support of other parties in the house to pass legislation.

 Strong party discipline

Members of Parliament

How do you become a Member of Parliament?

Judicial Branch – power to interpret laws

The fundamental principle of the role of the judiciary is independence from the executive and legislative branches of government.

Supreme Court Judges are appointed by the Prime Minister but are subject to review and can be removed

CONTROVERSY – role?