POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Figure Governments
4–13
It is difficult for one government to provide all the functions and
services for a country as large as Canada. For this reason, we have
a federal government and provincial and territorial governments. As
you learned in Chapter 2, we also have municipal governments.
a passport to take a trip to The federal government handles
issues that are generally
STABILITY & CHANGE considered to be of
concern to the
whole country, Defence Agriculture
resources
and the provincial Immigration
government trade Economic Education
handles issues Citizenship development Marriage
Employment
that concern the
province.

FIGURE 4–13

1 Crown / Sovereign Head of State

Structure of the Provincial / Territorial Governments Structure of the Federal Government

2 Legislative 3 Executive 4 Judiciary 4 Judiciary 3 Executive

(Courts) (Courts)

5 Legislative 7 Lieutenant– 7 Lieutenant– 8 Governor

Assembly Governor Governor* General

10 Premier 11 Prime Minister

12 Cabinet 13 Cabinet

14 Ministries & 14 Ministries &

FIGURE 4–14 Public Service Public Service

*Called a Commissioner in the territories

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 The Three Branches of Government
representative
Canada is a representative democracy, which means the democracy:
government is made up of elected officials who represent the
people. Canada is also a constitutional monarchy, which means
a monarch (king or queen) acts as the head of state within the
guidelines of a constitution.
constitutional monarchy:
Canada’s government is divided into three parts:

the Executive the Legislative the Judicial

constitution

OBJECTIVES & RESULTS

asasasas
Figure 4-14 shows how these three branches fit within the structure
of the federal and provincial governments. The three branches work
together to pass laws, enforce laws, and make decisions about
Canada. Separately, these three branches balance each other to
prevent one part of the government from having too much control.

1.
2.1. Canada’s formal head of state is the monarch.
2. The legislative branch discusses the issues of government and
passes laws.
3.
3. The executive branch is responsible for carrying out laws and operating
the government.
4.
4. The main roles of the judicial branch are to administer justice through
the civil and criminal courts, and to interpret and apply the laws.
5.5. The Legislative Assembly is composed of the elected representatives
of a province or territory. In Ontario, they are called Members of
2 Legislative Provincial Parliament (MPPs). In some provinces, they are called
Members of Legislative Assembly.
FPO 6.6. The House of Commons is the elected part of the federal government,
and the chamber in which MPs debate and pass laws.
6 House of 9 Senate 8 Governor 7.7. At the provincial level, the monarch is represented by the
Commons General lieutenant–governor.
8.8. At the federal level, the monarch is represented by the governor general.
9.9. The Senate is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the
prime minister. The Senate must approve a law for it to be passed.
10. At the provincial level, the premier is the head of government.
10.
11.11. At the federal level, the prime minister is the head of government.
12. The provincial Cabinet (also called the executive council) is made up
12.
of members of the government chosen by the premier to run ministries.
13. The federal Cabinet is made up of members of the government chosen
13. by the prime minister to run ministries.
14. Ministries are government agencies responsible for running different
14. parts of the government. The public service is the staff who run the
departments and ministries.

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 Provincial vs. Territorial
Provinces and territories both have legislatures. However, the
responsibilities and decision-making powers of the provinces are
clearly outlined in the Constitution. In contrast, the powers of the
legislature: territories are given to them directly by the federal government.

Aboriginal Governments
There are over 617 First Nations communities in Canada, which
are organized into bands. A band council is a group of leaders who
are responsible for governing the community. Decisions made by
these band councils are still subject to the approval of the federal
government, which limits the control First Nations have over their
decision-making.
POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE Elected band officials are responsible for managing a variety of
services, including

Métis and Inuit have formed organizations, such as the Métis

Nation of Ontario and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, for representation, for
leadership, and for promoting their changing relationship with the
federal government.

Indian Act MINISTRY OF ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS

FIRST
NATIONS

Decisions made
Address band by band councils Elected
concerns and BAND are subject to the every
provide services COUNCILS approval of the four
to bands Minister of AANDC years

Can be
Band Chief elected
or Chief Councillors or chosen
Councillor by traditional
means

FIGURE 4–15

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 Reflect & Respond
POLITICAL 1. What parts of the federal and provincial governments are similar? What parts are
SIGNIFICANCE
different? How are they different?

POLITICAL 2. a) Why might different levels of government have different perspectives on the same
PERSPECTIVE
issue?
b) How might these different perspectives be a good thing? How might they be a bad
thing?

OBJECTIVES 3. What steps do you think the different levels of government could take to deal with
& RESULTS
bullying? In a small group, write down the steps that the federal government could
take. Then, write down the steps the provincial government could take.

POLITICAL 4. Aboriginal governments are set up differently from the federal and provincial
PERSPECTIVE
governments. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having these different
types of governments?

AND NORTHERN DEVELOPMENT CANADA (AANDC)

Métis
organizations
such as Métis MÉTIS INUIT
Nation of FPO
Ontario (MNO)

Represent the concerns

of Ontario Métis and
lobby the government
on their behalf Regional Inuit Tapiriit
MNO governments of Kanatami
Canada's four (organization
Inuit regions and representing
territories* Inuit interests)
Executive

Senators
Community
(Elders who Council
represent Each region elects its Represents concerns
Representatives government and the of Inuit and lobbies
traditional
values and (from regional structure is different the government on
skills) councils) for each their behalf

* In the case of Nunavut, the regional government has been

constitutionalized.

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 Member of Parliament
The job description of Member of Parliament can
vary, though they are always responsible to the
voters. As you read this job description, keep
in mind that the roles of a Member of Provincial
Parliament are very similar.
The job of a Member of
Parliament (MP) includes
a number of roles and
responsibilities. One of their
main responsibilities is to
attend sessions of the House
of Commons, where important
issues and government business
are debated. During debates,
MPs attempt to represent the
views of the voters, along with
those of their political party,
special interest groups, and their
own beliefs. They may introduce
FIGURE 4–16 The House of Commons
bills of their own; debate,
in Ottawa is where MPs debate bills,
question the government, and stand propose changes to, and vote
for the interests of the people they on the bills introduced by the
represent. What do you think is the most government; and ask questions
important role of an MP? of the prime minister and other
cabinet ministers. They ensure
that the government is held
accountable for the decisions
MPs ensure that are made and the money
that is spent.
that the MPs must also participate
government
in parliamentary committees
and attend meetings to
is held discuss strategies and issues.
Parliamentary committees
accountable for study and change bills, examine
important issues, and review
the decisions
government spending.
that are made. Each MP maintains an office
on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
They also have an office in
their constituency, which is the
region of the country they were
voted to represent. There, they
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meet with citizens who present
their issues, complaints, and
ideas and who are looking to
access government services.
In addition, MPs may attend
public events, where they speak
to groups or recognize citizens’
contributions. Since MPs
represent constituencies across
the entire country, a great deal of
time is spent travelling between
their constituencies and Ottawa.
Additional duties may include
meeting with the local media and
public interest groups.
Researchers have found
when interviewing former
MPs that the main reasons
that politicians choose to run
for office are to help solve
problems, to give back to
their country, to bring positive
change to the government, and
to represent the voters.
Questions
1. What do you think would be
the most challenging aspects
of being an MP?
2. What do you think would be
the most positive aspects of
being an MP?
3. Given the many activities of
MPs, how do you think they
can ensure they are aware
of the opinions and needs of
the people they represent?