Head of State
Queen Elizabeth II
The Head of State is the highest-ranking constitutional position in a sovereign state. Our Head of State, Queen Elizabeth II, has the important role of being a living national emblem of Canada and is a symbol of our unbroken continuity of the state. For example, the Canadian monarch is described by the government as being “The personification of the Canadian state” and is described by the Department of Canadian Heritage as the “Personal symbol of allegiance, unity, and authority for all Canadians.” Although, the role and function of our Head of State is to purely be a ceremonial and ritualistic figurehead and does not necessarily exercise any authoritative influence in Canada. However, our Head of State is represented in Canada by the Governor General.
The Governor General
Because our monarch is shared equally both with Canada, sixteen other sovereign states, and her origin of state, the United Kingdom, she cannot reside in Canada to represent our country at all times. Therefore, she appoints the Governor General to federally represent her and carry out her constitutional, ceremonial, and ritualistic duties for five years. Not only does the Governor General represent Canada at home, but abroad as well. As the Queen’s representative, the Governor General summons, prorogues, and dissolves Parliament, authorizes treaties, name new judges and senates, call elections, and gives royal assent to bills that have yet to become a law. One of the most important roles of the Governor General is to ensure that Canada always has a Prime Minister in charge. If the Prime Minister were to die in office, or no party has a clear majority after an election, the Governor General has the role of choosing a successor. During ceremonial instances, the Governor General presents honorary awards to recognize significant excellence, valour, bravery, and outstanding achievements. Also, the Governor General also holds the constitutional rights of the Head of State: “The Right to be consulted, the right to encourage, the right to warn."
The Lieutenant-Governor
The Lieutenant Governor represents our Head of State at the provincial level. The Lieutenant Governor is appointed by the Governor General acting by the advice of the Monarch and are normally appointed for a period of no less than five years. The crucial responsibilities of the Lieutenant Governor is to ensure that the province always has a Premier in charge so continuity in governance continues, dissolving and proroguing the Legislature, and giving Royal Assent for bills passes by the legislative assembly. The Lieutenant Governor's ceremonial duties include extending hospitality to many people across the province they represent. On ceremonial occasions, the Lieutenant Governor presents a number of awards for bravery, outstanding public service and achievement.
Levels of Government
Canada is a federation, governed not by a single level or order of government, but by several different levels of government. These various levels of government differ not only in their geographical scope (local, regional, or national), but also in their powers and responsibilities.
Federal
The federal government performs several functions and responsibilities that are vital to the nation including national security, veteran affairs, criminal law, post office, fisheries, and establishing trade agreements with foreign affairs.
Provincial/Territorial
Canada has thirteen regional governments which are divided into provinces and territories. Currently, there are ten provincial governments: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. Also, there are three territorial governments: the Northwest Territories, the Yukon, and Nunavut. These provincial and territorial government act behalf of their own residents and are responsible for public education, health and social services, civil law, licenses, and highways.
Municipal
Municipal governments are cities, towns, villages, counties, districts, or metropolitan regions. They are responsible for local matters such as water supply, sewage, garbage disposal, roads, sidewalks, street lighting, parks, pools, playgrounds, libraries, public transportation, police, fire, ambulance, public health, and electricity.
Prime Minister |
Premier |
Mayor |
The Prime Minister is the most powerful political position in Canada at the federal level. The Prime Minister heads the government, decides is legislative agenda, appoints member of the Cabinet and other influential officials, and represents Canada both at home and abroad. To be elected Prime Minister, he/she must be selected as the leader of their political party through a vote. Then, their political party must win the federal election by winning more seats than any other party in Canada. Finally, the leader must win their own riding and sit in the House of Commons. |
The Premier is the highest-ranking official in provincial or territorial governments. The leader of the political party with the most seats in the Legislative Assembly becomes the Premier. The major responsibilities of the Premier is to develop and implement policies and priorities for the Province/Territory, prepare Legislation, and assuring that provincial laws and policies are being carried out. |
A mayor is the highest-ranking position in a municipal government such as that of a city or town. Unlike the Prime Minister or Premier, the mayor is elected directly by the people. As the mayor cannot handle all of their responsibilities by themselves, they have an elected council, of counsellors or alder-persons to assist them in their daily tasks. |
Branches of Government
As a former colony of Britain, Canada has inherited a Britain style of governance called the Westminster system, meaning that Canada's government has three branches: the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judicial branch,
These branches of government operate at both the federal and the provincial level, because Canada is a federation, but does not operate at the municipal level.
These branches of government operate at both the federal and the provincial level, because Canada is a federation, but does not operate at the municipal level.
Executive Branch
The first branch that makes up Canada's political system is the executive branch. Composed of the Monarch, represented in Canada by the Governor General, the Prime Minister, as head of government, and his or her Cabinet, they are the decision-making branch and have the power to administer and implement laws that are made by the legislative branch.
The Cabinet
In Canada's parliamentary system of Canada, the Cabinet is the committee of ministers that hold executive power. Parliamentarians called Ministers, along with the Prime Minister, both have the responsibility and the power to govern the country and choose what is vital to the nation as a whole. The Cabinet reflects the cultural, linguistic, and social diversity of the nation and is responsible for the passage of government legislation, the execution and administration of government policies and priories, and the finances of the government.
Legislative Branch
The legislative branch is comprised of the Monarch, represented in Canada by the Governor General, the Senate, and the House of Commons, and thus make up Canada's Parliament. Together, they work together to make, amend, and repeal laws for our country.
House of Commons
Also called the lower house of Parliament, the House of Commons is the first house of legislation. The House of Commons is responsible for introducing, voting on, and amending laws, and is usually where bills first begin in Canada. House of Commons seats are evenly distributed according to the proportion and population of Canada. Canadians elect representatives for the House of Commons. These representatives are called Members of Parliament (MP's) and belong to a political party. The political party that has the largest number of MP's forms the government, and its leader becomes the Prime Minister.
The Senate
Also known as the upper house of Parliament, the Senate is made up of 105 members, appointed by the Governor General, based on regional representation and other individual requirements such as Canadian citizenship, an age of 30+, and ownership of at least $4000 worth in property. Their function and responsibilities include reviewing bills that are given by the House of Commons.
Judicial Branch
The judicial branch of Canada works independently from the executive and legislative branch. The judicial branch's role and function is to interpret and applies the law. The judicial branch is composed of nine judges appointed by the Governor General, the Supreme Court of Canada, the Federal Court of Canada, and the Tax Court.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/liberals-electoral-reform-1.3576472
http://thetyee.ca/News/2016/05/13/Elizabeth-May-Voting-System/
Due to the distortion of the will to electorate of the first-past-the-post voting system, the Liberal government is allowing a electoral reform committee to study and vote on different alternatives. However, only ten members out of twelve members on the committee are allowed to vote, and Green Party Leader, Elizabeth May, has been denied of her vote and is pushing for her say in this decision to ensure every vote counts.
http://thetyee.ca/News/2016/05/13/Elizabeth-May-Voting-System/
Due to the distortion of the will to electorate of the first-past-the-post voting system, the Liberal government is allowing a electoral reform committee to study and vote on different alternatives. However, only ten members out of twelve members on the committee are allowed to vote, and Green Party Leader, Elizabeth May, has been denied of her vote and is pushing for her say in this decision to ensure every vote counts.
- Because of the distortion of the will to electorate, many Canadian citizens do not care or participate or engage in any form of political decision making.
- The government is conducting different alternatives to the first-past-the-post system such as proportional representation, online voting, and preferential balloting.