Canadian Governance Notes

Canadian Governance: PAT Review Study Guide

Overview of the Structure of the Federal Government of Canada

  • Constitution
    • Canada's constitution is the most important set of laws.
    • It outlines how the country is to be governed.
    • It defines the roles of different government groups and their interactions in decision-making.
  • The Crown
    • Canada's head of state, referred to as "ruler."
    • Holds no real power or influence over Parliament.
  • The Governor General
    • Represents the Monarch.
    • Duties include:
      • Signing bills into law ("royal assent").
      • Approving appointments to the Senate and Supreme Court on behalf of the Prime Minister.
      • Inviting the election winner to become Prime Minister.
      • Dissolving Parliament to trigger an election.
  • Executive Branch
    • Comprises the Governor General, Prime Minister, and the Cabinet.
    • Proposes laws, implements them, and manages the daily operations of the government.
  • Legislative Branch
    • Includes the House of Commons and the Senate, also known as "Parliament."
    • Responsible for voting on and creating laws, and representing different regions' interests and rights.
  • Judicial Branch
    • Consists of Canada's courts of law (Supreme Court, provincial courts, territorial courts) and legal professionals.
    • Independent from other branches, serving as a check on their power.
    • Interprets and applies Canadian law, ensuring the rights of Canadians are respected.

Overview of the Executive Branch

  • Prime Minister (PM)
    • The head of Canada’s government.
    • Roles:
      • Selecting cabinet ministers and assigning their portfolios.
      • Recommending Supreme Court judges to the Governor General
      • Appointing Senators (recommendations to GG)
    • Requirements to become PM:
      • Be elected as the leader of a political party.
      • Be elected as an MP in the House of Commons
      • Party must win the most seats in the House of Commons.
      • The Governor General then asks the individual to become PM.
  • Cabinet Minister
    • Elected as an MP by constituents.
    • Typically belong to PM's party.
    • Propose laws with the PM’s support.
    • Assigned to a portfolio (government department or ministry).
    • Responsible for the daily operations of their assigned department/ministry.

Overview of the Legislative Branch

  • House of Commons
    • Primary law-making body in Canada.
    • MPs debate, study, and vote on proposed laws.
    • MPs are elected to represent ridings in Canada.
  • Political Parties
    • Groups of people with shared ideas about how the government should address Canadian issues.
    • Develop policies based on their members' values.
    • Nominate candidates for election; elected candidates become politicians.
    • Form the government or opposition, propose laws, and participate in running the country.
    • Political parties are involved in both the executive and legislative branches.

Elections in Canada – First Past the Post

  • Representation in the House of Commons is based on population.
    • The number of MPs per province is determined by each province's population to ensure equal vote impact.
  • Canada is divided into ridings (currently 338) based on population size.
    • Each riding elects one MP. Constituents are the voters in each riding.
  • To win a seat, a candidate needs the most votes in their riding but not necessarily more than 50% of the vote.
    • This is known as First Past the Post or a