Canada's Federal Political System

Study Notes

Structure of Canada's Federal Political System

Canada's political system operates as a parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy.
The government is divided into three main branches: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial.

Legislative Branch of Canada

Composed of two houses: the House of Commons and the Senate.
Members of the House of Commons are elected, while Senators are appointed.
Responsible for making federal laws, debating, and approving budgets.

Federal Branch of Canada

Headed by the Prime Minister, who leads the Executive branch.
Includes the Cabinet, composed of ministers responsible for different government departments.
Implements laws and policies, oversees the civil service, and conducts foreign relations.

Municipal Branch of Canada

Each province and territory has its own municipal governments.
Responsible for local governance, including services like water, public transport, and zoning.
Elected mayors and councils make decisions affecting local communities.

Media in the Government in Canada

Acts as a watchdog, ensuring government accountability and transparency.
Provides information about government actions, policies, and developments to the public.
Influences public opinion and can shape political discourse.

How Bills Become Laws in Canada

A proposed law, or bill, can be introduced in either the House of Commons or the Senate.
The bill undergoes several readings and debates in both houses before approval.
Once both houses pass the bill, it receives Royal Assent from the Governor General to become law.

Lobbyists

Individuals or organizations that seek to influence government decisions and policies.
Represent various interests, including businesses, non-profits, and advocacy groups.
Must register and disclose their activities as part of regulatory requirements in Canada.

How a Bill Becomes a Law

Introduction of the Bill: Initiated by a member of Congress; proposals can come from individual legislators, committees, or through presidential recommendations.
Committee Action: The bill is sent to a relevant committee that conducts hearings to gather information and opinions. Committees can amend, vote to report out, table, or kill the bill.
Floor Debate: Debate occurs on the House or Senate floor where members discuss and propose amendments. Debate time is often limited in the House while more flexible in the Senate.
Voting: After debate, a vote is conducted using various methods: voice vote, division vote (show of hands), or roll call vote. A simple majority is required for passage in both chambers.
Other Chamber Consideration: If a bill passes one chamber, it moves to the other. The second chamber can accept, amend, or reject the bill, needing approval from the original chamber for any amendments.
Conference Committee: Formed if the two chambers pass different versions of a bill. This committee resolves differences and provides a final version for approval by both chambers.
Final Approval: Both chambers must approve the reconciled version. Any further amendments must be agreed upon by both chambers.
Presidential Action: The bill is sent to the President, who can sign it into law, veto it (returning it to Congress), let it become law without signature (if not acted upon in 10 days), or use a pocket veto during congressional adjournment.
Congressional Override: Congress can override a presidential veto if two-thirds of both chambers vote in favor, allowing the bill to become law despite the veto.
Law Implementation: Once signed or overridden, the bill becomes law. Relevant agencies may establish regulations for enforcement, often involving a public comment period.
Importance of the Process: This structured legislative process ensures comprehensive examination and debate on proposed laws before they are enacted.

Description

This quiz covers the structure of Canada's federal political system, focusing on the legislative, federal, and municipal branches. It also discusses how bills become laws, the role of lobbyists, and the media in government. Designed for grade 9 students, this quiz will test your understanding of these essential topics.