government?!

Canada's Government

Canada operates under a Constitutional Government. The Queen serves as a

figurehead with limited direct influence on governmental affairs. While she

possesses the authority to convene the Government and enact legislation, Canada

maintains its autonomy as an independent nation. The Monarchy is represented by

the Governor General.

Canada's Constitution

The Constitution of Canada establishes the framework for Canada's system of

government and guarantees the civil rights of all Canadian citizens through the

Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The Executive Branch

The Prime Minister leads the government, elected in the federal election.

The Prime Minister's party holds the most seats in the House of Commons.

The Prime Minister selects members of the Cabinet who manage portfolios as

ministers of departments.

The Executive Branch proposes bills to become laws and manages the day-to-

day operations of the government.

The Legislative Branch

Composed of:

The Prime Minister

The House of Commons (Lower House)

The Senate (Upper/Independent House)

The House of Commons

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Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected to represent individual ridings

(electoral districts) in Canada.

The Legislative Branch debates and votes on issues affecting Canadian

citizenship, identity, and quality of life, representing the interests of all

Canadians.

The Senate

Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the Prime Minister's

recommendation.

Senators can vote and discuss bills but cannot pass legislation involving

money/spending.

The Senate serves as a "Sober Second Thought" before bills become laws.

The Judicial Branch

Acts as a check on the power of the other two branches.

Consists of members from the legal profession.

Includes nine appointed Supreme Court Judges to prevent tie votes.

Applies the law to Canadian citizens.

Representation by Population

The number of seats in the House of Commons is determined by each province's

population, with each MP representing one riding (electoral district).

Electoral districts and ridings are the same thing!

Majority & Minority Governments

Type Description

Majority

Government

Minority

Government

Holds more than 50% of the total number of seats,

outnumbering other parties.

Holds the most seats but not more than 50%, not outnumbering

other parties.

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MPs from other political parties form the Opposition.

Media Bias

Media Bias: Occurs when the media presents opinion as fact, promoting a

single viewpoint instead of presenting facts for people to form their own

opinions.

The media should act as a watchdog, keeping Canadians informed, asking politicians

unrehearsed questions, and ensuring accountability.

Lobby Groups

Influence people (MPs and government officials) to support a cause.

Must register with a commission for transparency.

Voice views to raise awareness, promote change, or fundraise for a cause.

The Federal Accountability Act

Established to address government spending accountability, protect civil servants,

and regulate lobbyists.

YCJA

(Youth Criminal Justice Act)

Canada's justice system aims to be fair and equitable, applying rules universally

while considering individual circumstances. The Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA)

defines consequences for young people aged 12-17 who commit criminal offenses,

ensuring meaningful consequences tailored to their reduced maturity levels.

Objectives of the YCJA

Prevent crime

Rehabilitate and reintegrate young offenders

Impose meaningful consequences

Recognize young offenders' reduced maturity levels

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YCJA vs. CCC (Criminal Code of Canada)

Feature YCJA

(Youth) CCC (

Adult)

Consequences Counseling, repayment, community service Court, imprisonment

May result in a criminal

Criminal Record Usually no criminal record

record

Trial as Adult Privacy

Protection

Youth 14+ can be tried as adults for

serious/violent offenses

Protects privacy; identities cannot be

published

N/A

N/A

Four Factors for Consequences

1. Seriousness of the offense

2. History of the young person

3. Attitude of the young person

4. Circumstances of the young person

Advocacy Groups

Organizations that seek to address the underlying causes of crime.

Jury Duty

Offenders over 14 can have a jury trial.

Twelve jurors are selected, and their verdict must be unanimous.

Canadian citizens 18+ are eligible for jury duty, which is considered a civic duty.

Charter of Rights and Freedoms

A review of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which is part of Canada's

Constitution and sets the framework for how Canada is governed.

What is it?

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The Charter of Rights and Freedoms is part of Canada's Constitution, the highest law

in Canada, with which all other laws must be consistent.

Key Rights

Only citizens of Canada have the right to vote (Democratic).

Only citizens of Canada have the right to enter, stay in, and leave Canada

(Mobility).

Mobility Rights

The right to move anywhere within Canada and earn a living there.

The right to enter, stay in, or leave Canada.

Equality Rights

The right to be free of discrimination because of race, national or ethnic origin,

religion, gender, age, or mental or physical disability.

Legal Rights

The right to be free of imprisonment, search, and seizure without reasons backed by

law and evidence; the right to a fair and quick public trial; and the presumption of

innocence until proven guilty.

Fundamental Freedoms

Express your opinions

Choose your own religion

Organize peaceful meetings and demonstrations

Associate with any person or group

Democratic Rights

The right to vote.

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Language Rights

The right to use either English or French.

Minority Language and Education Rights

Rights for citizens belonging to French and English-speaking communities to be

educated in their own language.

Collective Rights

Rights guaranteed to the founding peoples of Canada:

Anglophone

Francophone

Indigenous Peoples

The purpose of collective rights is to affirm the shared identity of distinct groups

within Canadian society.

Focus Question

Do immigrants have collective rights in Canada? Why or why not?

Collective Rights under the Charter

To recognize Anglophones and Francophones, Canada is bilingual. The British North

America Act in 1867 established Canada as a bicultural, bilingual country with rights

for Francophones and Anglophones, making French and English official languages of

Canada's parliament.

Language Rights in the CCRF

Sections 16 to 20 of the Charter establish French and English as official languages of

Canada. Section 23 concerns minority language education rights, mandating publicly

funded education for official languages.

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Language Rights BILL 101

Bill 101 limited English Language in Quebec but was changed to include English

Language Minority Rights to align with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Numbered Treaties and the Indian Act

The Numbered Treaties are historic agreements that affect the rights and identity of

some First Nations in Canada. In 1876, Canada's government introduced The Indian

Act, making laws for First Nations without consulting them, based on ethnocentrism,

the belief in the superiority of European cultures.

Ethnocentrism: the belief in the superiority of European cultures

The Indian Act

The act originally tried to assimilate First Nations peoples, defining how they had to

conduct their affairs, such as band elections, despite First Nations having their own

governance systems.

Perspectives: Treaties & The Indian Act

Canada's government believes First Nations gave up their land under the Treaties.

Many First Nations disagree, especially since their worldviews do not think of land as

something anyone can own or give up. First Nations recorded the Treaties in their oral

histories in their own languages. Canada's government recorded the Treaties in

writing in English. The oral and written records disagree on key aspects of the

Treaties.

Métis

Legislation in 1990 gave Métis more autonomy; they were recognized as self-

governing. Section 35 of Canada's constitution recognizes First Nations, Métis, and

Inuit peoples as Aboriginal peoples and recognizes their existing Treaty and

Aboriginal rights.

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Immigration

Emigration: Leaving one's country to settle permanently in another.

Immigration: Coming to live permanently in a foreign country.

Push & Pull Factors

People are pushed to leave their home country or pulled to enter another country due

to environmental, social, economic, and political factors.

Push Factors

Poverty, fear, disasters, unemployment.

Pull Factors

Safety, opportunity, stability, freedom.

The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (2002)

Establishes categories of who can immigrate to Canada, including refugees, economic

immigrants, family class, and other people accepted for compassionate reasons.

Refugees

Social, cultural, and economic benefits for all Canadians. Respect for language and

culture. Support for the development of minority official language communities in

Canada. Promote prosperous economy. Reunite families in Canada. Promote

integration.

The Point System

Applies only to economic immigrants (skilled workers and professionals) who earn

points for skill level, experience, education, background, and health. A minimum

amount is needed to enter Canada.

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Health can factor into qualifying as an immigrant if their health could put an

excessive demand on Canada's health services. These health requirements do not

apply to refugees or family-class immigrants, only to economic immigrants.

Aboriginal Impacts

As a result of collective rights, Aboriginal people have the reasonable expectation to

be consulted when the government of Canada makes decisions that fundamentally

shape the future of the country. Some Aboriginal peoples continue to face challenges

linked to poverty and the impacts of past policies and laws: health, education,

employment challenges.

Francophone Impacts

Canada-Quebec Accord: Quebec can nominate a percentage of immigrants to

Canada that corresponds to its population within Canada and require

immigrants to send children to French school and seek immigrants whose first

language is French.

Provincial Nomination Program: Provinces can nominate a percentage of

immigrants that Canada selects each year, allowing them to specify the skills

they need.

‍ Temporary Foreign Workers

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) allows Canadian employers to

hire foreign nationals to fill temporary labor and skill shortages when qualified

Canadian citizens or permanent residents are unavailable.