The Branches and Levels of Canadian Government

The Branches and Levels of Canadian Government

1. Legislative Branch

   • Federal
     • Also known as the Parliament; consists of the Monarch/Queen (represented by the Governor General), the House of Commons, and the Senate
       • A bill must be given Royal Assent by the Governor General to become a law
     • Bills must be approved by both the House of Commons and the Senate to become a law
       • Senate (The Upper House of Parliament)
         • Thought of as the "Second Sober Thought"; as bills must be approved by the Senate to become a law
         • Members of the Senate are appointed by the Governor General (advised by the Prime Minister) and represent different regions of Canada
           • There are currently 338 seats
           • If majority of the members disagree they have the power to delay bills
         • Proposes, amends, or repeals bills passed by the House of Commons or generate new bills
           • There are some restrictions for the Senate on proposing bills, for example, they cannot introduce bills that impose taxes
             • Only the House of Commons has the power (to introduce bills that the Senate cannot), though the Senate can change or reject those bills
         • A bill can be introduced by the government or as a private member's bill to either the House of Commons or the Senate
           • Cabinet ministers may also propose bills to the House of Commons
       • The House of Commons (The Lower House of Parliament)
         • Can make, change, and repeal laws
         • Members of Parliament (MP's) are elected by public
           • There are 105 Members of the Senate
           • They meet in the House of Commons to discuss and vote on public issues
             • During second and third readings of a bill, the MP's debate and vote on bill
         • Unofficially the most powerful part of the Legislative branch
     • Center Block on Parliament Hill
     • Makes laws for all of Canada (dealing with matters such as income tax, monetary policies, national defense and other areas)
   • Provincial
     • Consists of Lieutenant-Governor (the Queen's provincial representative) and Legislature; in Ontario Members of Provincial Parliament (MPP's) are elected, different provinces (and territories) refer to the legislature with other titles
       • Members represent the people in their constituencies and the people's interests
       • Members of Provincial or Territorial Legislature are able to introduce and change laws by drafting bills and voting
         • The bill goes through an introduction and three readings before being passed as a law
           • The Lieutenant-Governor must sign the bill for it to become a law (referred to as royal assent)
             • Ontario's Lieutenant-Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell
     • Legislative Assembly of Ontario
     • Makes laws regarding provincial prisons, natural resources, hospitals or health care and more
   • Municipal
     • City councillors have the power to create bylaws on issues specific to that community (such as the construction of buildings in a neighbourhood or relating to garbage disposal and other responsibilities delegated by the federal government)
     • Members of Council, City Officials, and committees make recommendations to the City Council who then creates or alters bylaws (based on those recommendations)
       • Decisions are finalized in a meeting and the bylaw is enacted
         • There is no representative for the Head of State at in the municipal level
         • The Richmond Hill Council Chamber in which council meetings are held
       • The mayor also signs bylaws discussed in meetings
       • The mayor implements the plans, policies and objectives of the city council
   • Has the power to make laws and amend them; they introduce and pass legislation for all Canadians
     • All levels of Government can create, change, and repeal laws though each level focuses on different areas or issues

2. Executive Branch

   • Federal
     • Consists of the Governor General (representing the Queen/Head of State), the Prime Minister, and the Cabinet
       • Cabinet ministers are appointed by the Prime Minister and assigned a specific portfolio (ex. finance, defense, justice, etc.)
         • Justin Trudeau and his Cabinet ministers
         • Cabinet ministers ensure their departments (depending on their portfolio) obey the law as well as plan, decide on, and implement government policies
         • The Prime Minister and Cabinet control the daily running of the federal government
           • The Prime Minister, leader of Canada, speaks on behalf of all Canadians and his/her political party
             • Justin Trudeau, Canada's current Prime Minister
       • The
       • The Governor General is responsible for fulfilling the role of the Queen if she were in Canada
         • Current Governor General Julie Payette
   • Is responsible for executing and overseeing the plans and laws made by the legislative government
     • Enforces laws created by legislative branch
   • Provincial
     • Consists of the Lieutenant-Governor, the Premier, and the Provincial Cabinet
       • The Premier and Provincial Cabinet control the daily government on a provincial level
         • Kathleen Wynne and her Cabinet MInisters
         • Ontario's Premier Kathleen Wynne
   • Municipal
     • The mayor is elected in each municipality and is the head of council
       • The mayor has statutory duties and executive powers including leading the council by recommending plans to the council to improve the municipality and holding council meetings
       • Dave Barrow, the Mayor of Richmond Hill

3. Judicial Branch

   • Federal
     • The Supreme Court of Canda
       • Canada's final and highest court of appeal; all judgments made are final
       • Deals with conflicts deemed highly important to public or is an important issue or question with the law that should be addressed
       • Affects all the branches of government and their development
       • Has nine judges including the The Chief of Justice
     • Also other federal courts (ex. the Federal Court of Appeal and the Tax Court of Canada)
     • Only level of government able to appoint and pay judges from superior/upper-level provincial courts
   • Interprets laws in case of disputes and judge who is innocent or guilty of breaking a law and deciding on a penalty
   • This branch is independent from the legislative and executive branch to ensure the rule of law (an element of democracy) is kept; the members of Parliament are not above the law
   • Deal with all matters regarding law in Canada, including Aboriginal, administrative, constitutional, criminal law and more
     • Composed of courts and the judiciary
   • Provincial
     • Consists of provincial courts (ex. the Ontario Court of Justice) and lesser courts
       • The Supreme Court hears appeals from the superior provincial and territorial courts as well as the other federal courts
       • Superior Courts are highest level of provincial and territorial courts; they can review decisions made by other provincial courts
         • Deal with most serious criminal offences
     • Settle conflicts within their provincial jurisdiction (includes most criminal offences, money and family issues
       • People arrested (for criminal offence) by police then go to court for trial
   • Municipal
     • At a local level, police officers have a role in the judicial branch
       • York Regional Police
         • Separated into different districts for each city (Richmond Hill is district #2)
           • Map showing how the region is divided into the four districts
         • Main goal is to achieve a safe environment for citizens by preventing crime
       • Enforce laws (created by all three levels of legislative government) everyday in public by penalizing people that break them (ex. giving tickets to drivers for speeding)

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