GOVERNING CANADA

DIFFICULTIES GOVERNING CANADA

Diverse Cultural History

Geography

Values, Beliefs and Ideologies

Economics

Technology and Industry

Global Forces

DIVERSE CULTURAL HISTORY

The first European settlers were the French and British

Many Natives inhabited Canada before European settlers came

Waves of Immigration have reshaped Canada ethnically

The challenge is involving each culture in the decision making process

• Canada has a very diverse landscape ranging from mountains to plains to ocean coastline

• Inhabitants of the many different geographical areas face different issues; the government has to deal with these challenges

VALUES, BELIEFS, AND IDEOLOGIES

Many Canadians have different views on the social, political and economic issues facing Canada

The government must take these different views into account when making decisions

E.g. There a wide range of views on issues such as health care, poverty, same-sex “marriage,” military involvement etc.

ECONOMICS

In Canada we have a free market, but the government is still involved in our economy (e.g. Health care, education system, transportation)

Canada also has a very diverse economy: forestry, manufacturing, fisheries etc.

The government needs to consider the diversity of our economy when establishing trade relations with countries around the world

TECHNOLOGY AND INDUSTRY

Canada is an industrialized and technologically developed country

This creates resources for the entire country which the government must then decide how to use

Which social programs should be established? What should tax rates be?

GLOBAL FORCES

• The world is a much smaller place and events around the world impact Canada

• The United States is our closest ally and greatest cultural and economic influence

• Government has many influences when forming foreign policy

• E.g. Terrorism, War in Iraq, world poverty

Each of the factors that we have discussed are challenges in governing Canada

Our leaders do not have an easy job when we consider the many factors that they must deal with

FEDERAL SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT

Federalism

Federal GovernmentProvincial GovernmentMunicipal Government

(created by Provincial Governments afterConfederation)

Definition of Federalism- the division of power between the Federal and Provincial levels of government

Régis Labeaume, Quebec City

Stephen Mandel, Edmonton

DIVISIONS OF POWER

The Federal and Provincial levels of government were each given different jurisdictions- the authority to make and carry out laws in certain areas

The Federal government would take care of issues that involved the whole nation, while Provincial Governments would look after regional issues

DIVISIONS OF POWER (JURISDICTIONS)

Federal

National Defense

Criminal Law

Foreign Affair

R.C.M.P.

Agriculture

Copyright

Correctional Facilities

Labour

Provincial

Education

Highways

Provincial Police

Hospitals

Liqour Licenses

Marriage Permits

• Municipal (cities)▫ Public Transit▫ Garbage Collection▫ Snow Removal▫ Zoning of Land▫ (Note: Municipal

level created by Provinces)

SHARED POWERS AND RESIDUAL POWERS

Shared Powers- the Federal and Provincial governments share power in the areas of agriculture, immigration and some aspects of natural resources

Residual Powers- Areas not specifically listed are given to the Federal government (eg. New technologies- internet)

Overall, the federal government was granted broader power

Federalism allows Canada to be governed more effectively- responsibility is shared among the different levels of government