CANADA POLITICAL SYSTEM

( Structure, function, and public policy performance )

Overview:

- Canada’s political system derives from that of the United Kingdom or

Westminster.

- It is a constitutional monarchy, which means that we recognize the Queen or

King as the Head of State, while the Prime Minister is the Head of

Government.

Political structures:

- Parliament:

+ In general, it is composed of the King (who is officially represented by the

Governor General)

+ The Senate or the Upper House has 105 seats and its members are appointed

by the Governor General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. 

+ The House of Commons consists of 338 members who are elected by Canadian

citizens in general elections and by elections. Representation in the House of

Commons is based on geographical divisions known as “electoral districts”.

+ According to Canada’s Constitution, elections are held every four years on the

third Monday in October. However, an election may be called earlier if the

Governor General accepts the resignation of the Prime Minister after the

Government has been defeated on a motion of confidence in the House and the

Governor General does not ask the leader of another party to become Prime

Minister and form a government. Canada’s electoral system is referred to as a

 “single-member plurality” or “first-past-the-post” system. In every electoral

district, the candidate with the highest number of votes wins a seat in the

House of Commons.

+ Voting in Canada is by secret ballot. The security of the ballot is paramount,

and the system makes it impossible to discover who any voter has voted for.

- Bureaucracies:

 Canada has a large federal bureaucracy divided into numerous

departments, agencies and government-run corporations.

 Most bureaucrats work for the prime minister's cabinet, whose ministers

are responsible for the majority of public services provided by the Canadian

government.
  Canadian bureaucrats are hired through a neutral process that

emphasizes skill and non-partisanship.

 The federal bureaucracy has risen in power as politicians have become

less involved in the day-to-day management of government services.

- Relationship with the executive:

The federal government consists of a collection of ministers of the Crown

appointed by the governor general to direct the use of executive powers.

Both Parliament and the Cabinet had become eclipsed by prime ministerial

power.

In practice, the House of Commons is dominant, with the Senate rarely

exercising its powers in a way that opposes the will of the democratically

elected house.

- Legislative functions:

Law may be introduced by any member of either house.

However, most bills originate in the House of Commons, of which most are put

forward by ministers of the Crown, making them government bills.

The bill is sent by the house where it is being debated to one of several

committees. The Standing Orders outline the general mandate for all

committees.