Canadian Government
The structure of our government
The Structure
The Queen
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Leads the executive branch of the gov’t
Technically makes and applies government
decisions
Essentially a figure head
Largest serving British monarch of all time
Governor General
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David Lloyd Johnston
Appointed by the Queen,
recommended by the Prime
Minister
The Queen’s representative
in Canada
Works on the advice of the
PM, most of the time
The GG calls elections, usually on the advice
of the PM
Position held for 5 years
Prime Minister
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Stephen Harper, Conservative
Party of Canada
Elected
Voice of the nation and head of
the gov’t
Leader of the cabinet
Has the power to appoint cabinet, federal
boards, Crown corps, and other gov’t agencies
Approves candidates
Cabinet
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Appointed by the PM, chosen from elected
Members of Parliament
Size varies, can be changed whenever the PM
feels like it but is approx. 30 members
Each MP has a portfolio or ministry that they
are responsible for
Recommends
laws to the
House of Commons
Creates gov’t policy
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The Canadian Ministry in order of precedence (Current)
Right Hon. Stephen Harper Prime Minister
Hon. Bernard Valcourt Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development
Hon. Rob Nicholson Minister of Foreign Affairs
Hon. Peter MacKay Minister of Justice Attorney General of Canada
Hon. Rona Ambrose Minister of Health
Hon. Diane Finley Minister of Public Works and Government Services
Hon. Tony Clement President of the Treasury Board
Hon. Peter Van Loan Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Hon. Jason Kenney Minister for Multiculturalism Minister of National Defence
Hon. Gerry Ritz Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Hon. Christian Paradis Minister of International Development Minister for La Francophonie
Hon. James Moore Minister of Industry
Hon. Denis Lebel Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions
of Quebec; President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada; Minister of Infrastructure,
Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency;
Minister for the Arctic Council; Minister of the Environment
Hon. Lisa Raitt Minister of Transport
Hon. Gail Shea Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
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Hon. Julian Fantino Associate Minister of National Defence
Hon. Steven Blaney Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Hon. Ed Fast Minister of International Trade
Hon. Joe Oliver Minister of Finance
Hon. Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay Minister of National Revenue
Hon. Pierre Poilievre Minister of Employment and Social Development; Minister for
Democratic Reform
Hon. Shelly Glover Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
Hon. Chris Alexander Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
Hon. K. Kellie Leitch Minister of Labour; Minister of Status of Women
Hon. Greg Rickford Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern
Ontario; Minister of Natural Resources
Hon. Erin O'Toole Minister of Veterans Affairs
Hon. Maxime Bernier Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism, and Agriculture)
Hon. Lynne Yelich Minister of State (Foreign Affairs and Consular)
Hon. Gary Goodyear Minister of State (Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern
Ontario)
Hon. Rob Moore Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)
Hon. John Duncan Minister of State
Hon. Tim Uppal Minister of State (Multiculturalism)
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Hon. Alice Wong Minister of State (Seniors)
Hon. Bal Gosal Minister of State (Sport)
Hon. Kevin Sorenson Minister of State (Finance)
Hon. Candice Bergen Minister of State (Social Development)
Hon. Michelle Rempel Minister of State (Western Economic Diversification)
Hon. Ed Holder Minister of State (Science and Technology)
Prime Minister’s Office
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Serves the PM as leader of the party
Politically appointed staff, not elected
Organize and schedule the PM
Run opinion polls
Create a positive image of the PM
Offer political advice
Privy Council Office
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Headed by a civil servant, not elected – Clerk
of the Privy Council
PM’s department of government
Serve PM as leader of the gov’t
Ensures all info is at Cabinet meetings
Unlimited access to PM
Deals with Cabinet ministers
Ministries
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Public service
Work for the government but not elected
Additional Terms
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Private members bill – a non cabinet MP
proposes a bill in HOC
Shadow Cabinet – critics to cabinet
Official Opposition – the party that makes up
the second largest number of seats in the HOC,
currently the NDP
Backbenchers – not in the cabinet or shadow
cabinet
Legislative Branch
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Make and amend laws
Determines how the
gov’t spends
our taxes
Parliament
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PM is the head of parliament
Sits in session from September to June
If the HOC rejects a cabinet recommendation
the PM and cabinet resign – vote of nonconfidence
House of Commons
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Members of Parliament, MP’s, are elected
5 year term
Voted in federal ridings across the country
The speaker of the House is elected by MPs
No money is spent in government without
HOC approval
Represent Canadians
Senate
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Appointed by GG on recommendation of PM
Reviews and approves HOC legislation,
becomes law
105 members representing provinces and
territories
http://www.parl.gc.ca/About/Senate/Education
alVideo/SenFilmToc-e.asp
Senators hold their seat for life
Senate Chambers
Senate Distribution
Senate Controversy
Judicial Branch
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Supreme Court, Federal Court and Tax Court
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Judges, serve justice, independent
constitutional, criminal and civil
law