Chapter 1

How do we make sure that our

government is held
accountable?
What does it mean to be accountable?
How do your parents hold you accountable? What
happens when you do something wrong?

Do you have a part time job? What expectations does

your boss have for you?

Who decides what expectations you need to meet?

How do we as Canadians hold our

government accountable for their actions?
Definition of Accountability

The obligation of an individual or organization to

account for its activities, accept responsibility for
them, and to disclose the results in a transparent
manner.
Government Accountability
Rule of Law
Separation of Powers (Independent court system)
Independent Media
Fair elections
Opposition party
Free speech
 Canada’s Constitution
Canada’s constitution is the law that describes
governance in Canada.
It describes how the three branches of
government work together to exercise the
decision-making authority of government.
The constitution also sets out other important
institutions in Canada, such as the Charter of
Rights and Freedom.
The Charter of Rights and Freedoms is
Entrenched in the Constitution
Constitution and Entrenched Charter of
Rights and Freedoms
Separation of Powers
Otherwise known as independent courts or
independent judiciary, government branches are
separate to ensure that the executive branch is not
controlling the entire government
Also, the courts must be independent so that if
government officials break the law, they will be held
accountable. (An independent judiciary ensures that
corruption is minimized)
Consider the next picture in analyzing the Separation
of powers
 The Branches
The Executive Branch
Proposes most laws
Puts laws into action
Runs the day-to-day business of government.

 The Legislative Branch

 Makes laws
 Represents the interests and rights of Canada’s
regions.

 The Judicial Branch

 Applies and interprets laws.
Independent Media
Independent Media
Why is it important that the government
does not control the media
Why is it important that there is more than
one media outlet?
Fair Elections
Fair Elections

 Explain what this picture

means?
 How does voting keep a
government accountable?
 Why is it important to have
a secret ballot?
 Why is it important to have
elections held every 4
years?
Opposition Party
Consider the intent of the Erin O’tool our Opposition
design of the house of Leader from the NDP
commons. Why would they
have designed it this way?
Free Speech
Free Speech
Free Speech Questions:
Why is it important to you to be able to speak your
mind?
What kind of a country would this look like if we were
not able to have free speech?
How would a government eliminate free speech?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2uJ4_aDWtc&safe
ty_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active