•The
structure of
Canada’s federal
political system.
•How
laws.
bills become
•The
role of the media.
•The
role of lobbyists.
 Represented
in Canada by the
Governor General.
 Britain’s queen or king is the
formal head of state in
Canada, but doesn’t play an
active role in Canada’s
government.
 The Governor General
represents Britain’s monarch
in Canada and is part of both
the executive and legislative
branches of government
 Includes
the Governor
General, the Prime Minister,
and the Cabinet.
 Proposes most laws.
 Put’s laws into action.
 Runs the day-to-day business
of government.
 Include
the House of
Commons and the Senate.
Canada has a bicameral (two
houses) Parliament. The
House of Commons is elected
while the Senate is appointed.
 Make the laws.
 Represent the interests and
rights of Canada’s regions.
HOUSE OF
COMMONS





The major law
making body.
Members of the HofC
debate, study, and
vote on laws
proposed for Canada
(bills)
Members of
Parliament (MPs) are
elected by the
people. Each MP
represents a riding.
Most MPs belong to a
political party. The
party with the largest
number of MPs forms
the government.
Other parties form
the Opposition.
Representation in the
HofC is based on
provincial population.
SENATE





Members are called senators.
Senators are not elected. They
are appointed on the advice of
the prime minister and serve to
the age of 75.
Senators represent the interest
and rights of Canada’s regions:
The West, Ontario, Quebec, and
the Maritimes. Each of the
regions receive 24 senators.
Smaller regions, Newfound land
and Labrador and the
territories, also receive seats in
the senate.
The Senate can propose laws
but usually only considers bills
first passed in the senate. Acts
as a “sober second thought.”
Can’t propose laws that create
or spend taxes. A bill can’t
become law unless also passed
by the Senate. The Senate can
reject bills from the HofC, but
this is rare.
If a political party wins a majority of
the seats in the HofC, it will form the
government.
 If a political party wins the most seats
in the HofC BUT not the majority, it
usually forms the government. This is
known as a minority government and
may be defeated by the opposition in
certain circumstances, resulting in
the need to call a new election. Those
circumstances include:




1. The loss of a major bill or budget.
2. The loss of a confidence vote.
3. The opposition winning a vote of
no confidence.
 Includes
the Supreme Court
as well as
provincial/territorial courts.
 Applies and interprets laws
passed by Parliament.
First Reading: Printed copies of the
bill are made available for the first
time. No debate or vote.
 Second Reading: Debate and vote
on the principle of the bill.
 Committee Stage: Detailed study of
the bill.
 Report Stage: Debate and vote on
changed (called “amendments” to
the bill.
 Third Reading: Debate and vote on
the final from of the bill.
 Most bills usually originate in the
HofC. Once passed by the HofC
bills move on to the Senate. If
passed in the Senate they become
law after the Governor General
gives Royal Assent.

Media includes newspapers,
magazines, film, radio, television,
the Internet, books, and billboards.
They deliver information quickly to
large audiences.
 The media also has the power to
influence our personal
understanding of the world.
Journalists decide what news stories
to cover and what perspectives to
include. Messages are created by
people with particular points of
view.
 Politicians use the media to
communicate with voters. They
develop key messages to convey
their messages. Often these are
memorable slogans.

 Bias
is a type of thinking
based on one’s point of view.
We all view the world through
a particular bias. Sometimes
bias towards one subject or
another creates unbalanced
information in the news.



Bias by omission: For every news story that
is selected, there are many others that are
left out. Do the news stories you see show a
balanced view of real life? What are the
characteristics they have in common? (e.g.,
Are they mostly about violence, famous
people, wealth?) Do some news sources
include items that are ignored by others?
Bias by emphasis: What stories are on the
front page or “at the top of the hour?” Which
stories get the largest headlines, or the first
and longest coverage on TV or radio?
Consider how this placement influences
people’s sense of what is important.
Bias by use of language: The use of labels
such as “terrorist,” “revolutionary,” or
“freedom fighter” can create completely
different impressions of the same person or
event.





Bias in photos: Unflattering pictures can create
bad impressions, and partial pictures of scenes
can completely change the context of an event.
Bias in the source: An article about a cure for
cancer written by a drug company is not the
same as an article by an independent
researcher. Often, private companies,
governments, public relations firms, and
political groups produce press releases to gain
media exposure and to influence the public.
Bias by headlines: Some headlines can be
deceptive, as their main purpose is to grab
attention. Many people read only the headlines,
which can create a distorted sense of what is
really going on, or turn a non-event into a
sensational event.
Bias by repetition: The repetition of a particular
event or idea can lead people to believe that it is
true, very widespread, and much more
important than it really is.
Bias in numbers and statistics: Statistics need to
be interpreted; they are often used to create
false impressions
A lobbyist is someone hired by a
group to influence MPs and
government officials.
 Lobbyists need to register with a
Commissioner of Lobbyists so it is
transparent who they represent.
Lobbyists voice the view of the
group they represent on issues
affecting their members. Within the
federal system, lobbyists provide
different perspectives and in-depth
expertise on many issues.
 The Federal Accountability Act
introduced rules requiring
lobbyists to document which MPs
and government officials they meet
with. Why do you think this law was
passed?
