CHAPTER 1: REVIEW

CANADAS FEDERAL POLITICAL SYSTEM

 MONARCH OF BRITAIN
(PAGE 22)

The queen or king of Britain is the formal head of state in Canada

and is represented by the:

Governor General
 THE PRIME MINISTER
(PAGE 23)

Canadas Prime Minister chooses which members of parliament who will hold
portfolios in his

Cabinet
 THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH ROLES
(PAGE 22)

Propose most laws

Responsible for putting laws into action
Run the day to day business of government

House of Commons (page 27):

Individuals who are elected into the House of Commons are called Members of
Parliament (MPs) and they

Represent their constituents

 THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
(PAGE 22)

Makes laws
Represents the interest and rights of Canadas regions
Responsible for the ideas that become law

Senate (page 31):

The Senate is part of the legislative branch of the government and is not elected, but also
appointed, by the Prime Minister. The Senate
Can propose laws but usually only consider bills
Represent the interest of minorities
Represent the regions
 THE JUDICIAL BRANCH
(PAGE 22)

The Supreme Court

Responsible for interpreting and applying the laws

Provincial and Territorial Courts

The final decision about a law can be made based on our constitution and can be
struck down by

The Supreme Court

 HOW ARE LAWS PASSED?
(PAGE 40-41)
Bills go through many readings and votes in the House of Commons and the
Senate before they become law. This protects
The views and perspectives of all Canadians

Bills become law after being debated and voted on in the House of Commons
and the Senate. The final step in law-making is a formality when it is given royal
assent by the
Governor General
 WHO FORMS THE GOVERNMENT?
(PAGE 28)
Majority Government
If a political part wins the majority of seats in the House of Commons, it will
always form the government.

Minority Government
If a political party wins the most seats in the House of Commons, but NOT the
majority of seats, it usually forms the government.
 PERSPECTIVES, THE MEDIA & FIRST NATIONS
PEOPLE
-Canada has several political parties who are represented in our House of Commons. This is
evidence of our
different view and perspectives
-The media helps to inform us about what is happening with the government but we must
question and be careful about
Bias opinions based on unchallenging assumptions
-Challenges to Aboriginal peoples participation in the political system may be because
Canadas government does not reflect their tradition and values
Some Aboriginals associate voting with assimilation
Canada did not grant Aboriginal peoples the right to vote until 1960