Socials Unit 1 Midterms: Governance

Unit 1: Governance 

Political Ideology 

What are political ideologies?

The word ideology came about during the French Revolution and is essentially the science of ideas. 

Aside from being the political science of ideas, political ideologies are also defined as: 

• A system of beliefs about politics 

• A view of the world held by a social class or group of people 

• Political ideas that embody or articulate class or social interests 

• A political doctrine that asserts a monopoly of truth 

Doctrine: A belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a church, political party, or other group.

Monopoly: Exclusive possession or control of the supply or trade in a commodity or service

Democracy 

Democracy = demos (people) and kratos (rule) “rule by the people” 

• In its purest form, a kind of government where people rule themselves 

• It is an ideal/an attempt to achieve perfection 

• “Everyone has a voice”

Elements of Democracy

• Constitution (set of rules= ideas and values)

• Human rights are enshrined (protected)

• Universal suffrage (right to vote)

• Regularly scheduled elections

• Basic freedoms (list to protect citizens from discrimination)

• Judicial and political separation (courts and government are separate)

• Several levels of government (Canada = Federal Union)

• Direct Democracy: Democratic form of government that operates by direct input of citizens rather than that by their elected representative

Communism JAN EXAM: Compare and contrast facism and communism 

• Extreme left-wing ideology based on the revolutionary teachings of Karl Marx (considered the father of communism) 

• He believed it was the duty of the state to develop economic equality so all people would share in the wealth generated in a country 

• Calls for the abolishment of private property, promotes collective ownership 

• Supports a planned economy and economic equality for all 

• Goods are owned in common and are available to all as needed 

• One political party is in control 

**Capitalist system must be overthrown 

**Violent revolution was necessary 

Current Communist Elements

• Government is tightly controlled by a small group (communist party)

• Censorship - doesn’t give the people a voice compared to what democracy promotes

• Economic equality can be achieved (education, medical care and housing), usually the rich (high-ranking party officials get richer as they might keep some of the “shared” wealth)... Even though this is what communism is intended to eliminate

• Individual liberty is sacrificed for the good of the state

Capitalism = Economic State 

• An economic system in which the trade and industry of the economy is owned and controlled by private individuals, to make profit

• Aim to make profit, disregarding the people who suffer 

• Canada is capitalist but technically aligns more with socialism (soft communism)

Facism

• A nationalistic, top-down system with rigid class roles that is ruled by an all-powerful dictator

• Extreme “right wing” ideology where the existing social order is “protected” by the forcible suppression of the working class

• No intellectual = freedom, limited economic freedom and strong government regulations

Political

Left vs. Right 

Different ideas about the role of government, the economy, and social issues and freedoms 

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms - Summary Sheet

All Canadians are entitled to receive equal treatment and protection under the law. It also protects individuals from unfair political or legal decisions. 

Some of the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Charter include: 

**refer to the student handouts with examples 

Fundamental Freedoms: including those pertaining to conscience, religion, thought, expression, peaceful assembly, and association 

Democratic Rights: the right to vote and be eligible to serve for the House of Commons and the legislative assembly, and the right to elections at least every five years.  

Mobility Rights: to enter, remain in, or leave Canada, and to move into and earn a living in any province. This is subject to certain limitations in order to provide for “affirmative action” programs for the socially or economically disadvantaged

Legal rights: includes such things as the right to a fair and reasonably prompt public trial by an impartial court 

Equality Rights: no discrimination on ground of race, national, or ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, or mental or physical disability 

Official Language Rights: makes English and French the official languages of Canada that must be represented in all government institutions 

Minority Language Education Rights: allows for French - or French-speaking minority groups to be educated in their own language 

Canada Can Be Described As A…

• Representative democracy: Elected officials represent a group of people.

• Constitutional monarchy: a form of monarch in which the monarch exercises their authority in accordance with a constitution. In Canada, the monarch is more ceremonial.

Canada as a Federal Union 

The 3 levels of Canadian Government 

Federal government 

Provincial government 

Municipal government 

So what is each level in charge of? 

Federal 

• foreign policy, immigration, taxation, and currency, criminal laws, transportation, national defense, employment insurance, and the postal system 

Provincial 

• Education, healthcare (the federal government pays a portion of the cost of healthcare and higher education), provincial taxation, provincial police, the management of natural resources, roads and bridges, workers’ compensation programs, and housing 

Municipal

• Libraries, local police, local schools, fire departments, public transport, building permits, parks and recreation, and garbage and recycling collection 

Shared 

• Agriculture and farming, pension plans, environmental protection (provinces manage natural resources), policing (no federal involvement in Ontario or Quebec)

3 Branches of Government:

Legislative branch: debates, makes and amends laws 

⇓

Executive Branch: make and apply government decisions

Judicial branch: interpreting laws and passing judgements

(remain separate = not bias)

Key Vocab 

• Backbencher 

• Cabinet 

• Caucus 

• Deputy Minister 

• Executive branch 

• Governor general 

• House of Commons 

• Judicial branch 

• Leader of the opposition

• Legislative branch

• Member of parliament 

• Official opposition

• Parliament 

• Party whip 

• Prime minister

• Public servants 

• Senate

• Shadow cabinet 

• Supreme court

King Charles - monarch (head of state) 

Mary Simon - Governor general 

Justin Trudeau - Head of Government (prime minister) 

Pierre Poilievre - Leader of Conservative party 

Leader of Opposition: leader of the party with the second-most votes (questions people currently in power, tries to better Canada even though they aren’t in charge)

Questions Period:

• This is a time when the opposition members can question government actions or raise issues of concern 

• They try to put the current government on the defensive in order to make them appear less effective

• Important because it puts the current government into defensive and questions them 

• Leader of the Opposition and other opposition party leaders are allowed to ask the first questions in the daily question period 

What is a shadow cabinet? 

• Focus their criticism and suggestions, each opposition party creates a shadow cabinet comprised of opposition MPs 

• Each member of a party’s shadow cabinet focuses on at least one (sometimes several) government departments 

• They then present questions, criticism, and suggestions to a department’s Cabinet minister 

• The party that didn’t win tries to find faults in the party that did win

Executive Branch: Cabinet

• Elected politicians drawn from the party holding the most seats in the House of Commons (or the provincial legislature) 

• Selected by Prime minister 

• They are confidential advisers, usually from among the members of the governing party 

• They are sworn in as ministers 

• They are known as the “Ministry” or cabinet 

• Committee of ministers that hold executive power

• Chaired by the Prime minister (or in the provinces, by the premier) 

• Traditionally strong, consensus-driven bodies 

• Some believe their influence is waning in the face of powerful prime ministers + their advisers

The cabinet is the key decision-making forum in the federal government, responsible for its administration and the establishment of its policy.

Prime minister:

• Head of the federal government 

• It is the most powerful position in Canadian politics

• Prime ministers are not specifically elected to the position; instead, the PM is typically the leader of the party that has the most seats in the House of Commons 

• Controls the governing party and speaks for it; names senators and senior judges for appointment; and appoints and dismisses all members of Cabinet 

• As chair of Cabinet, PM controls its agenda and greatly influences the activities and priorities of Parliament

• In recent years, a debate has emerged about the growing power of prime ministers, and whether this threatens other democratic institutions

Legislative branch

What is Canadian parliament:

Parliament: Canada’s legislature, the federal institution with the power to make laws, raise taxes and authorize government spending

In Canada, our parliament is “bicameral” (meaning two rooms or two chambers); the Senate and the House of Commons

The Senate: Upper Chamber 

• Composed of 105 senators 

• Appointed by the Governor-general on the advice of the Prime minister

• They represent Canada’s regions, provinces and territories (representation by region) 

• Once appointed they may serve until mandatory retirement at 75

• No confidence votes 

The House of Commons: Lower Chamber

• The elected assembly of Parliament

• They are elected by Canadians to represent electoral districts or constituencies (Known as ridings)

• Representation by population 

• There are currently 338 seats in the House of Commons 

• Has confidence votes 

** Majority vs. Coalition vs. Minority Government 

Parliament VS Government

• Parliament: The legislative branch of government. Its main function is to make laws and hold the government accountable. (Created by the Constitution Act of 1867)

• Government: (broader term with different meanings) inside the House of Commons, it usually refers to the PM. Cabinet and other members of the governing party. Outside the House, the term also includes government departments. 

Majority VS Minority VS Coalition

• Majority Government (The ultimate goal of a political party)

• Party holds more than half the seats in the House of Commons

• Minority Government

• The winner holds more seats than any other party, but not more than the others combined

• Cannot pass Bills into law without votes from the other parties - requires cooperation between parties to make progress

• If the remaining parties unite, they are able to unseat the governing party and force an election through a vote of non-confidence

• Coalition Government 

• A type of minority government where two parties join together temporarily to form a government. Cabinet is made up of members of both or all parties involved. 

Judicial Branch

• Made up of courts, administrative boards and tribunal at the federal, provincial and territorial levels

• The Supreme Court of Canada is the HIGHEST court in Canada and the final court of appeal.

•  This means they have the final say on important cases in private and public law

• They also answer questions of law referred to it by the Governor in Council (Cabinet)

Judicial branch → Supreme Court of Canada → Lower courts

• The Federal Court System: specifically deals in federal laws 

→ intellectual property, maritime law, tax assessments

• Lower courts (provincial and territorial): make up the majority of the courts in Canada - most criminal offenses, civil and family law and other matters

Backbenchers: 

• Members of the governing party who are not in the cabinet

• Support the party while still considering the wishes of the public 

Governor General 

• Representative of the United Kingdom’s monarch in Canada, chosen by the Prime Minister but appointed by the Monarch

Party Whip:

• Some parties elect an MP of their party in charge of disciplining their members if they speak out against the party

Public Servants:

• Employees of the federal government who represent the link between citizens and the government. Daily tasks of answering questions, gathering statistics, and delivering mail.

Deputy ministers:

• Most senior public servants. Big role in advising ministers and even helping in drafting new laws.

Caucus

A type of meeting 

• Provides a place/forum where members can debate their policy differences among themselves privately (does not compromise their unity as a party) 

• MPs from the same party together with their colleagues from the Senate 

Bill to Law 

What is a bill? 

A proposed law that may or may not be passed into an actual law 

• The function of the Legislative Branch is to debate, make and amend laws in parliament 

• This happens in the House of Commons (where Parliament is held) 

• Elected MPs (Members of Parliament) gather to review the proposed legislation 

Who proposes bills? 

Government bills are designed by the Cabinet

• Examined by the Minister of Justice to ensure it aligns with the constitution and charter 

• Then, approved by the Cabinet once more to be introduced into parliament 

• IF a government bill is defeated (not passed), it can result in a vote of non-confidence 

**A Private Member’s Bill is a bill introduced by a Member of Parliament who is NOT in the Cabinet (This may be an MP from the governing party or any of the opposing parties) 

Legislative Process

How is a bill turned into law? 

First Reading:

• The bill is “introduced” in the House of Commons 

• There is no discussion at this stage. The bill is printed and distributed to all members for consideration 

Second reading:

• Members of Parliament debate the bill’s principle - it’s main idea of scope 

• This does not yet involve criticism of specific points or clauses 

Committee Stage:

• Smaller groups of MPs study the bill clause by clause 

• The committee may hear from witnesses such as research officers or experts to consult on the bill when and if necessary 

• Amendments may be proposed and developed 

Report stage:

• Members of Parliament in the House of Commons suggest amendments to the text of the bill 

• Amendments are debated by members before being approved. 

Third Reading: 

• Third reading is called and members debate whether the bill should be passed by the House of Commons or not.

• There is a final vote called and if the motion is carried then the bill is “passed” by the House of Commons

So, here goes our final vote. Do we want to pass this bill into law? 

Legislative Process: The Senate:

• The Senate reviews the bill put forward by the House of Commons 

• Serves as a final check, almost always approves bills, but has the power to suggest amendments or send bills back.

• Not elected to positions 

• No specific qualifications for the job 

• Risk of patronage - chosen for party support 

• Mostly from central Canada; don’t represent the country collectively 

Royal Assent: 

• The governor general gives final approval to the bill based on the recommendations of the House of Commons. Tada! Our bill would now be a law 

Steps, Bill to Law: 

1. First Reading

2. Second Reading 

3. Committee Stage

4. Report Stage

5. Third Reading 

6. Senate

7. Royal Assent

Constitution:

• Compilations or mix of different statues - documents when we were a colony of GB (big mix and is what makes us a modern democracy) 

• What outlines and defines the power for our executive branch and provincial levels of government and municipal governing legal framework. 

• It defines the powers of the executive branches of government + legislatives at both the federal and provincial levels. 

• Canada’s Constitution is not one document, a complex mix of statues, orders. 

• British and Canada court decisions and generally accepted practices known as constitutional conventions. 

• In the words of the Supreme court of equal the total constitution of the country. The constitution provides Canada with the legal structure for a stable democratic government. 

Charter of rights and freedoms

• The charter of rights and freedoms or simply the charter, is the most visible and recognized part of Canada’s Constitution. The Charter guarantees the rights of individuals by enshrining those rights, and certain limits on them, in the highest law of the land. Since its enactment in 1982, the Charter has created a social and legal revolution in Canada. It has expanded the rights of minorities and criminal defendants, transformed the nature and cost of criminal investigations and prosecutions, and subjected the will of Parliament and the legislatures to judicial scrutiny - an ongoing source of controversy.

What are human rights?

• Rights to which all humans are entitled to 

-  Ex. The right to be treated with dignity and respect

• Human rights are based on morality (what we believe as a society is right or wrong and apply to all people)

“Rights considered basic to life in any human society”

**while basic rights have been deemed “universal” (everyone in the world should have this) they are not necessarily legally sanctioned (protected by law) in all countries 

What is the united nations 

An international organization founded on October 24th, 1945 as a response to the injustices/human rights violations of the second world war 

• Beginning with 51 members to present day 193 

The UN has 4 main purposes 

1. To keep peace throughout the world; 

2. To develop friendly relations among nations 

3. To help nations work together to improve the lives of poor people, to conquer hunger, disease and illiteracy, and to encourage respect for each other’s rights and freedoms; 

4. To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations to achieve these goals 

UN lacks the power to directly enforce the Universal Declaration BUT aids in the fight against injustices by drawing global attention to offending countries