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    Civics - Ch. 2 Who's Who in Government

    Uploaded by

    Ataa Amoah-Bediako

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    ye pa ge | Who's Who in Government ER IN KING AHEAD CSTE OR ee COS mua UIA) esos * Who are the key figures in the Canadian government ORNS CN Veeco ee Oe RUC UM cy AN UIC IUR YN Le UE CaM RUM LMe Mee MUCU a MTree (ONT) ON m tM AVITAL eS MTCC “When I was elected to Parliament in 1974, like many of my female colleagues I thought that being a woman and an MP was part of the natural course of things to come. I didn’t see myself as belonging to a vanguard — that ROM ORCA Tm CcTM ECCT eae REN ery Macphail, Ellen Fairclough, or Judy LaMarsh. My Farrar eee LD MOST «= ¥ ve always enjoyed iment. What do you picture when you hear that word? Ornate buildings? being a politician. I e in black robes handing down laws? Faceless bureaucrats processing tax 19 of politicians? think it is an it's probably more helpful to picture government in terms of who rather --honourable profession See what, because government is people. Many of them are chosen to do their job to pursue. And if By enol like you, average citizens who have the right to vote. Of course, voters politicians always ert et to choose every person in government, but almost every goverment cep their eyes on the Smeloyee responds to the orders of those who are elected. human consequences who is government? The answer to this question unfolds as you read on, : of the changes they sidetracked by the institutions of government. There will be much more 7 effect, politics can be Sex those institutions in later chapters. Right now, simply meet the people — the => 20d women who are entrusted with power and responsibility in our democracy. an extraordinary way ts is an introduction to the cast of characters. of changing the human condition for the better” — svepnen Lewis (a. 1937) Pouirician — ABRAMAM LincoLH (1809-1965) FORMER US PRESIDENT -Exzabeth is sakred by Otte Royal Canadian Mounted “Jeanne Sauvé bename Canade’s first woman speaker af the ‘constable Tim Coan on fer amval at Canada House in House of Commons in *880 and Canad first woman England Governor Genera’ in 1984 !Moister Jean Chrétien holds the county's orginal Maple Leak ‘Gree thought to bp los, it yas actually ithe possession ofthe Paty of Cenada, When discovered. Chétien offically handed ‘the people of Canada . 36 CANADIAN BY CONVICTION: Assoring Ow Cizenstip HE QUEEN T Sic Her name is Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor and she is Canada’s Figure 2-1 The Queen’s “walkabouts” are popular events when she visits Canada. The flowers she receives are usually passed along to a local hospital Civics web Visit the Royal Family Web site at www.Royal.gov.uk for further information about the Royal Family and their activities. Defend your response to the following statement: “Royalty should be abolished. It serves no useful purpose.” head of state. Theoretically, she is the most powerful person in the country, even though she doesn’t live here. You can sce her likeness on every coin in your pocket. She is the Queen. More formally, she is “Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom, Canada and Her Other Realms and Territories, Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith” She is Canada’s head of state because Canada is a constitutional monarchy. In theory, her power is enormous. In reality, she has no power, Everything she does is limited by the Constitution, and by the notion that only an elected official can run a true democracy. When Canada became a country in 1867, the British North America Act (BNA Act) set down the rules of government, The BNA Act made Canada the first self-governing dominion within the British Empire. The BNA Act said that power was vested in the Sovereign (who, at the time, was Queen Victoria), but carried out in her name by others. Even today, the men and women who are elected to exercise power are known as Her Majesty's Government, and the party with the second most seats in Parliament is known as Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition. Of course, most of the time, these terms are shortened to government and opposition, respectively, ‘The same system is in place in the United Kingdom. Elizabeth II is Queen, but real power lies in the hands of elected government officials, Elizabeth is also the constitutional monarch of 13 other countries, as follows: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, St. Christopher and Nevis, St Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Solomon Islands and Tavalu Many people find it irrational to have the Queen as Canada’s head of state. They argue that the monarchy is a useless relic of our colonial past. They say it may have made some sense in Canada’s early years when so many people in the country were of British descent, but it has no place in modern, multicultural Canada, Besides, they say, what's the value of an institution that is virtually meaningless in our daily lives? ‘The people of Australia confronted the issue head-on in 1999. They held a referendum on whether to continue as a constitutional monarchy, or to become a republic with an elected head of state, like the United States and France. By a vote of 55 percent to 45 percent, they decided to retain the monarchy. Other constitutional monarchies around the world include Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, Norway, and Japan. The Government of Canada has never scriously considered ending the monarchy here. Public opinion surveys suggest that most Canadians are still content to be subjects of the Queen, though it is also true that only a minority feels a strong connection to the monarchy. Some are outright hostile, especially in Québec where the Queen is viewed by many as a reminder of the painful fact that the British took control of Canada from France, The Queen's visits to Canada rarely include a stop in Québec: Figure 2-2The Red Ens at the flag inauguration ceremony on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, February 15, 1965. Governor General Vanier, Prime Minister Pearson, and Opposition Leader Diefenbaker were among those attending the historic event, Why would such an event cause mixed feelings among the people of Canada? Over the years, Canada has worked to make the royal connection less rious. The Royal Mail has become Canada Post, the Royal Canadian Air Force has become the Air component of the Canadian Forces, and the Queen’s picture has been removed from most of our paper money. But we still have the Royal Canadian Mint, each of our naval vessels is called Her Majesty's Canadian Ship (H.M.C.S.), and our national police is the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). New citizens of Canada take an oath in which they swear to “be faithful and bear true ce to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Canada, Her Heirs and Successors” Perhaps the fiercest debate over the royal (or British) connection was red in the early 1960s. That’s when Prime Minister Lester Pearson decided Canada should have its own distinctive flag, Until then, Canada used the Red Ensign, derived from the British Union Jack. It is difficult today to .¢ how bitterly opposed many Canadians were to Pearson’s Maple af. They saw it as a betrayal of our past. Some veterans of the two World Wars said they had seen men die for the Red Ensign, so it had to be good rough. Today, most Canadians accept the Maple Leaf as the obvious symbol the country. What are the arguments for the monarchy? The Queen personifies the She symbolizes the rule of law, She humanizes authority. All this may sound rather vague and unimportant, but at times in recent history, the monarch has had tremendous symbolic importance, During World War I, or example, King George VI was urged to move his wife and daughters cluding Princess Elizabeth, who is now Queen) away from London to be safe from German bombs. His wife (now the Queen Mother) would have sone of it. She said the people of London couldn’t run away, so she shouldn't She was often seen visiting bombed-out neighbourhoods, offering comfort and support to the people. CHAPTER 2 Who's Whoin Government 37 “No one can look into the future and say what will be the destiny of this country. Changes come over nations and people in the course of ages. But, so _far as we can legislate, we provide that, for all time to come, the Sovereign of Great Britain will be the Sovereign of British North America.” — sonm A. macvouaue (1015-1892) CANADA'S FIRST PRIME MINISTER Figure 2-3 RCMP Constable Joseph Secours raises Canada’s new Maple Leaf flag at the base of the Peace ‘Tower on Parliament Hill Also gathered at the foot of the flagpole are representatives of the three armed services. 7 38 CANADIAN BY CONVICTION: Asseting Our Citizenship Figure 2-4The voyage of the Matthew in 1997 from Bristol, England, to Bonavista, Newfoundland, marked the 500th anniversary of John Cabot's arrival in North America. Captain of the Matthew, David Alan-Williams, is greeted on his arrival by (right to left) Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, and Mayor Don Tremblett. ‘The Queen does try to maintain a strong link with Canada. Even though most Canadians don’t give the monarchy much thought on most days, huge crowds turn out when she visits the country. She first visited Canada as Princess in 1951, and she’s travelled within every province. She usually times her visits to coincide with significant national occasions. She opened the St, Lawrence Seaway in 1959, declared the Olympics open in Montréal in 1976, was part of the ceremony marking the patriation of the Constitution in Ottawa in 1982, and celebrated the 500th anniversary of John Cabot's landing in Newfoundland in 1997. Figure 2-5 Would you answer an ad in a newspaper like this one? HELP WANTED Government of Canada seeking candidate for highest public office n the land. Duties: Represent the Queen, Promote Canadian unity. Celebrate national identity. Commander- incchief of the armed forces. Sign important state documents. Welcome visiting heads of state and other foreign dignitaries. Conduct state visits to other countries. Various other functions as necessary. Hours: 24 hours a day, seven days a week Length of Employment: Generally, five years, Could be more. Could be less. Must be bilingual Fringe Benefit: Fre house Salary: $102 700 (tax-free) dings to funerals, Canadians have a keen interest in what happens to Fam. Why doo . GOVERNOR GENERAL ‘The job description of Canada’s Governor General is outlined in general terms in Figure 2-3. Of course, you'll never see an ad for the job because it’s not a position for which appli- cations are accepted. Officially, the Queen appoints the Governor General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. In realty, the Prime Minister chooses the Governor General, and the Queen accepts the recommendation. CHAPTER 2 Who's Whoin Goverment 39 v Governors General of Canada * Name Date Appointed Assumed Office Term ‘Sr Charles Stanley, Viscount Monck June 1,1867 July 1, 1867 1867-69 ‘Se John Young, Baron lisgar Dec. 29,1868 Feb. 2,1869 1869-72 Frederick Temple Hamitton Blackwood, Ear of Dufferin May 22,1872 June 25, 1872 1872-78 John Douglas Sutherland Campbell, Marquess of Lome Oct.5, 1878 Nov. 20, 1878 ‘1878-83 Henry Charles Keith Petty-Fitzmaurice, Aug. 18,1883 Oct. 28, 1883 1883-88 Marquess of Lansdowne Frederick Arthur Stanley, Baron Stanley of Preston May 1.1888 June 11, 1888 1888-93, John Campbell Hamilton-Gordan, Ear of Aberdeen May 22,1893 Nov. 18, 1893 1893-98 ‘Gibert John Eliott Murray-Kynynmound, Ear of Minto July 30, 1898 Nov. 12, 1898 1898-1904 Abert Henty George Grey, Earl Grey Sept. 26,1904 Dec. 10, 1904 1904-11 Fis Royal Highness The Prince Arthur, Feld Marshal Mac 21,1911 Oct. 13,1911 1911-16 Duke of Connaught ‘Wictor Christian Wiliam Cavendish, Duke of Devonshire Aug. 19,1916 Now 11,1916 1916-21 Juan Byng, General Baron Byng of Vimy and of Thorpe Aug. 2, 1921 Aug. 11,1921 1921-26 Freeman Freeman-Thomas, Baron Willingdon of Ratton ‘Aug.5,1926 Now.2, 1926 1926-31 ‘ee Brabazon Ponsonby, Earl of Bessborough Feb. 9, 1931 Apr. 4, 1931 1931-35 Joho Buchan, Baron Tweedsmuit ‘Aug. 10,1935 Nov.2, 1935 1935-40 ‘Atrander George Cambridge, Major General Earl of Athlone Apr. 3, 1940 June 21,1940 1940-46 ‘Se Harold George Alexander, Field Marshal Aug.1,1945 Apr 18,1946 1946-62 Viscount Alexander of Tunis ‘The Right Honourable Vincent Massey Jan, 24,1952 Feb. 22,1952 1952-69 ‘General the Right Honourable Georges P Vanier Aug.1,1959 Sept. 15, 1959 1959-67 The Fight Honourable Daniel Roland Michener Mar. 25,1967 Apr. 15,1967 1967-73 ‘The Right Honourable Jules Léger Oct. 5, 1973 Jan. 14,1974 1974-79 The Fight Honourable Edward Richard Schreyer Dec.7,1978 Jan. 22,1979 1979-83 ‘The Right Honourable Jeanne Sauvé Dec. 23,1983 May 14,1984 1984-90 ‘The Right Honourable Ramion John Hnatyshyn Oct. 6, 1989 Jan.21,1990 1990-95 ‘Tre Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc Nov. 22, 1994 Feb. 8, 1995 1985-99, ‘The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson Sept.8, 1999 Oct. 7, 1999 1999- * sece Confederation ‘Meny cities, universities, and streets and schools across the country are named afte former Governors and Govemors General af Canada. 1. Tr to identity a street or school in your area named fora former Governor General of Canada, 2 Two important hockey trophies, a football trophy, and a lacrosse trophy bear the name of Canadian Governors General. Can you identify then? The office of the Governor General is considered to be Canada’s oldest continuing institution, It can be traced back to Samuel de Champlain, who as the first Governor of Canada, between 1627 and 1635. He represented ¢ King of France. When the British took over in 1759, the Governors then. represented British monarchs. At Confederation in 1867, Queen Victoria chose what is now called the Governor General, on the advice of the British Cabinet, and he (the 7 40 CANADIAN BY CONVICTION: Assetng Our Cizenstip “Above Everything, We Are Canadian.” — scarprion ow scRout WELD BY STATUE OF SIR GEORGE-ETIENME CARTIER (1arg-1473) PRIME MINISTER OF THE OVINCE OF CANADA Governor General was always a man back then) represented not only the Queen, but the British government as well. That changed in 1926. The Imperial Conference agreed that the Canadian government would advise the Queen as to who should hold the position, and that the Governor General would represent only the monarchy, not the British government, Before 1952, all of Canada’s Governors General were British. Now, it would be inconceivable for a Governor General not to be Canadian, ‘The current Governor General is Adrienne Clarkson. She is the second woman to hold the job, but the first immigrant and the first visible minority to be appointed. Given her background, Clarkson feels she is an important symbol in a country that is no longer dominated by people who trace their roots to Britain or France. As Governor General, she has an important ceremonial role. She offically welcomes high commissioners and ambassadors of foreign countries. (A representative of a Commonwealth country is called a high commissioner. All others are ambassadors.) She presents a variety of awards and honours. These include the Order of Canada, the highest honour that Canada can give its Citizens for exceptional achievement or service; the Order of Military Merit, which recognizes achievement by members of the Canadian Forces; decora. tions for bravery, which are given to people who have risked their lives for others; and the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award, which honours people who have served as caregivers or volunteers to community groups. She crisscrosses Canada to take part in national occasions (Remembrance Day, Canada Day), attend community fairs, visit hospitals and schools, help celebrate various milestones, and generally, encourage Canadians to be proud of their country. Her predecessor, Roméo LeBlanc, found the job so hectic, he asked to leave it before his five-year term expired. Before he stepped down he had attended about 2000 events, He had greeted 69 000 guests at his residence at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, delivered 800 speeches, and travelled to at least 13 foreign countries. As Governor General, Clarkson also has an important constitutional role, She signs all bills passed by Parliament. No bill can become law with- out this royal assent. She swears in the Prime Minister, cabinet ministers, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. She reads the Speech from the Throne, which is a speech written by the government to outline its plans for a new session of Parliament. She has the right to be consulted by the government on most matters, and meets regularly with the Prime Minister, But almost always, the Governor General does whatever the elected government recommends. The Governor General must ensure Canada has a Prime Minister. Usually, that just means determining which party in the House of Commons has the ‘most seats, and asking the leader of that party to form a government. But it's not always this easy. In 1926, a serious political and constitutional crisis arose when the Governor General disagreed with a Prime Minister's advice. The Prime Minister was William Lyon Mackenzie King. His Liberals emerged from the 1925 election with fewer seats than the Conservatives, CHAPTER 2 Who's Who in Goverment 41 ‘ Adrienne Clarkson * Born on February 10, 1939, in Hong Kong ** Came to Canada with her family as a political refugee in 1942 ‘+ Went to Lisgar High School in Ottawa * Graduate of the University of Toronto and the Sorbonne in Paris ‘+ CBC Television journalist for 27 years + President of McClelland and Stewart Publishing * Agent general for province of Ontario in Paris * Chairperson of the board of the Museum of Civilization in Hull, Québec How well does Clarkson's background complement the job description in Figure 2-5? cernor General Ad enne Clarkson displays the collar of hancellor of the Order of Canada after it was presented so her during her installation as Governor General on detober 7, 1999. he was able to maintain power with the support of other parties. On 25, 1926, the House of Commons was ready to condemn King’s gov ment for corrupt practices. King asked the Governor General, Viscount Byng, to dissolve Parliament before a vote could be taken so that an election Id be held. Byng refused, stating that the Conservatives should be given chance to govern, King resigned. Conservative Arthur Meighen became ne Minister. Just a few days later, Meighen’s government was defeated in touse of Commons vote. Byng then dissolved Parliament and there was an ion, The so-called King—Byng Affair was an important election issue. King won a majority government. 1. Review the responsibilities of the Governor General. Which aspects of the job ‘would be most appealing to you? Which would be least appealing? 2. Do you think itis important for Canada to have a Governor General? Explain, 3. Ifyou were the Prime Minister, what qualties would you look for when selecting a Governor General? ; 42 CANADIAN BY CONVICTION: Asserting Our Ctzenstip oxy Salary of a Lieutenant-Govermor $97 200 el LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR The Queen is represented in every province by a Lieutenant-Governor, What the Governor General does in terms of the federal government, the Lieutenant-Governor does in the province. He or she reads the Speech from the Throne, signs bills, swears in ministers, presents awards, and performs the same ceremonial roles. It may come as a surprise that a province's Licutenant-Governor is not chosen by the premier. Rather, the Lieutenant-Governor is appointed by the Governor General, who acts on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. In other words, the federal government chooses each province’s Lieutenant Governor. There is usually very little controversy over the selection of a Licutenant-Governor. But it is a sensitive appointment in the province of Québec, chiefly because the Lieutenant-Governor, representing the Queen and chosen by the federal government, will certainly believe in Canadian unity. In theory, this person could overrule decisions made by the provincial government. When that government is dedicated to the goal of separating from the rest of Canada, the foundation is laid for open hostility jain the function of the Lieutenant-Governor. Governor General the best person to appoint the Lieutenant-Governor? Figure 2-6 Hilary Weston, Lieutenant- Governor of Ontario, inspects a guard of honour following her installation as Ontario's 26th Lieutenant-Governor, in 1997. Why is the notion of ceremony important to some people? Do you agree? CHAPTER 2 Who's Whoin Government 43 u whe PRIME MINISTER “WH As the most visible person in Canadian government, it’s not prising that some Canadians believe the Prime Minister, and not the Queen, + Canada’s head of state. He’s regularly featured on television newscasts. He’s ted in newspapers. He travels to foreign countries to represent Canada at crnational meetings and summits, Foreign leaders always meet with him trips to Canada. Every word he says is important because there’s no one e country with more real power than he has e==am All this makes the Prime Minister Canada’s head of government. chnically speaking, the Prime Minister is appointed by the Governor Salay ofthe ime Mister neral. But that’s not what really happens. The Prime Minister is, with few —si39 600, xceptions, the leader of the party with the most seats in the House of Commons. In Canada’s early days, the Prime Minister was thought of as the first snong equals, literally, the first of all the cabinet ministers. Today, the Prime nister is, without question, the most powerful politician in the land; the sonification of the Government of Canada. If the government were a poration, the Prime Minister would be the Chief Executive Officer, the | ef Operating Officer, and the Chair of the Board of Directors. If you | to think of the government as a factory, then think of the Prime nister as “the boss.” (In fact, that is what Prime Minister Brian Mulroney's

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