How is the Government Organized?

The Three Branches of Government

There are three (3) different branches to the Canadian Government: the Legislative branch, the Executive branch, and the Judicial branch. Using the information packages provided,
complete the following graphic organizer.

Legislative Branch Executive Branch Judicial Branch

What it does: It has the power to make, change and What it does: It is known as the decision- making What it does: Has the power to give penalties and
repeal laws. branch, that introduces bills. punishment to those who have broken the law.

Who is involved at the Who is involved at the Who is involved at the Who is involved at the Who is involved at the Who is involved at the
Federal Level? Provincial Level? Federal Level? Provincial Level? Federal Level? Provincial Level?

Governor- general Lieutenant- governor King (Governor- general) King (Lieutenant-

governor) Supreme Court of Canada Superior Courts
Senate (Senators) Legislative assembly (MPPs)
Prime minister Premier Courts of Appeal
House of Commons (MPs)
Cabinet ministers Cabinet Ministers Criminal Courts

Public/civil service Public/civil service Provincial supreme court

How is the Government Organized?
The Three Branches of Government

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How is the Government Organized?
The Government Offices

There are many different Government Offices (ie. Jobs) in the Canadian and Ontario governments.
Using the information package provided, list the duties, the number of years in office, and whether
the position is appointed or elected for each of the following office positions.

THE MONARCH
(King or Queen)

● The Monarch represents and brings together Canada’s past and heritage.
● There are no fixed years for ruling as Monarch.
● The position of Monarch is passed down to the family members.

The Federal Government Offices The Provincial Government Offices

Governor General Lieutenant Governor

● Duties- The Governor General of Canada

represents the British Monarch in Canada. They
participate in ceremonies like, dinner, awards
etc. Moreover, is also the ceremonial head of
armed forces, which include arranging award
ceremonies and duties related to it. Moreover,
they also engage people in activities to bring
unity among people and its government and
themselves. Lastly, bills that are passed in the
house of commons are given Royal assent by the
Governor General.
● Number of years in office- The position of
Governor General doesn’t go with a fixed term.
● Duties- Governor General appoints
Lieutenant Governor by the advice of the
Prime Minister. The Lieutenant Governor
represents the Monarch as the head of
province, which gives them power to give
Royal Assent to bills passed by the
Legislative assembly.
● Number of years to service- Don’t have any
fixed term.
● Appointed or elected- Appointed

● Appointed or Elected- The position of

Governor General is appointed by the Monarch
as advised by the Prime minister.

Prime Minister Premier

● Duties- Prime minister plays an important ● Duties- Premier at provincial level is

role in the government as he is the Head of
Government. The PM makes policies and
laws which will benefit citizens and society,
with the help of Cabinet Ministers, who are
appointed by the Prime minister. Represents
Canada internationally to promote values
and interests globally. Responsible for
making the country better and managing the
crisis. Also, acts as advisor to the Monarch.
equivalent to Prime minister at federal level,
which makes them the head of the
government and gives them authority to
appoint cabinet ministers and make policies.
● Number of years to service- Elections are
held every five years, and if a political party
wins again, then they can serve for five years
again.

● Number of years- Each winning party is ● Appointed or elected- Elected

given 5 years to work and do for the
country.

● Appointed or elected - The Prime minister is

the leader of the winning party in the
elections, which means they are elected by
the citizens.
Senate -----
How is the Government Organized?
The Three Branches of Government
● Duties- Senators give a second opinion upon
the bills passed by the House of Commons.
They are known as the eyes of the ruling
government as they view their expenditure,
actions and policies.

● Number of years of service- Senators don’t

have fixed years of service, until the age of
75.

● Appointed or elected- Senators are

appointed by the Governor General by the
advice of the Prime Minister.
The House of Commons The Legislative Assembly

● Duties- House of Commons is involved in

debating, amending and then passing bills in
the Parliament. They play an important role
in approving the federal budget.
● Number of years to service- MPs are given 4
years to serve, once elected.
● Appointed or Elected- MPs are elected
every four years.
● Duties- Provincial Legislative assembly
focuses on healthcare, education, and
transportation. Plays a vital role in the
budgetary process of individual provinces.
● Number of years to service- There is
election for MLA every five years, which
means that they don’t have any fixed years
of service.

● Appointed or elected- Elected.

Speaker of the House Speaker of the House

● Duties- Ensure that every proceeding is ● Duties- Appoints members to the

done under parliamentary rules and laws,
which includes maintaining decorum,
respective behaviour. The speaker sits with
the MPs as they debate, and if there is a tie
voting among MPs, then it’s the Speaker’s
vote to approve one of the debates.
● Number of years to service- There is no limit
of service to be as the speaker until they
resign or are removed by voting of MPs.
● Appointed or elected- The speaker is
elected by the Members of Parliament of all
political parties
committee in the Legislative assembly. The
speaker plays a crucial role in maintaining
decorum during debates.
● Number of years to service- There is no
limit of service to be as the speaker until
they resign or are removed by voting of
MPs.
● Appointed or elected- The speaker is
elected by the Members of Provincial
Parliament.

Cabinet of Ministers Cabinet of Ministers

● Duties- Cabinet ministers are known as the

advisors to the Prime Minister on matters
within their knowledge. They are
responsible for formulating policies. In other
words, Cabinet ministers work together
under the Prime minister and both run the
nation with their expertise.
● Duties- Cabinet proposes new laws to and
change previous laws to meet the new
requirements.
● Number of years to service- Work as long as
they want to.

● Number of years in office- Cabinet ● Appointed or elected- Elected by people

ministers don't have any fixed years to and can be appointed by the Premier.
How is the Government Organized?
The Three Branches of Government
serve under the prime minister, but they can
be changed under some circumstances, such
as federal elections, the prime minister’s
priorities, and many more.
● Appointed or elected- Cabinet ministers
are elected by people, but can be appointed
by the Prime minister.
Leader of the Opposition
● Duties- Second winning opposition team and
their leader plays a vital role in the
government. They closely overview the
policies, performing and action of the ruling
government. As the ruling party makes
policies, the opposition can question them
about that. Moreover, they are given the
opportunity to represent their own policies
at the parliament.
● Number of years of service- There are
federal elections every 5 years and there are
tasks for every second winning party. By
saying that, this means that parties can
change and every new coming party has to
do this duties.
● Appointed or elected- Elected by people.
Shadow Cabinet
● Duties- Shadow cabinet are similar to
cabinet ministers, but are ministers of the
opposition party, which means they have no
executive power to do anything. They have
roles of viewing the ruling party’s account,
budget, expenditure and for policies they
have the right to question them.
● Number of years of service- They doesn’t
work for limited time, but they can removed
by their leader
● Appointed or elected- Are appointed by the
leader of the opposition.
Members of Parliament (MP)
● Duties- Known as representatives of citizens
as each MP represents ideologies of people
in their riding/district.
● No. of years in office- They are four years
● Appointed or elected- Are elected every
four years by the public.
Leader of the Opposition
● Duties- Leader question about actions of
the ruling party in the question period. Also
can present alternative policies in the
parliament.
● Number of years to service- There are
elections every five years, so they don’t have
to work until they become the second
winning party.
● Appointed or elected- Elected by the
people.
Shadow Cabinet
● Duties- Shadow cabinet has the duty to get
their government prepared, if they will win
next elections.
● Number of years to service- Unless removed
by their leader, they can work without any
fixed years of service.
● Appointed or elected- Are appointed by the
leader of a party.
Members of Provincial Parliament (MPP)
● Duties- MPPs evolve involvement in the
community by attending events to
understand the needs and of people. By
doing so, they bring ideas to the parliament.
● Number of years to service- As long as they
are elected every 5 years, they can sustain
their position.
● Appointed or elected- Are elected by the
people.
How is the Government Organized?
The Three Branches of Government