Podcast
Questions and Answers
Who is the current head of the Canadian government?
Who is the current head of the Canadian government?
- The King
- Pat Kelly
- Justin Trudeau (correct)
- Mary Simon
How are the Cabinet Ministers selected?
How are the Cabinet Ministers selected?
- Selected through provincial elections
- Appointed by the Prime Minister (correct)
- Elected by the public
- Chosen based on seniority
What is the role of the Governor General in the legislative process?
What is the role of the Governor General in the legislative process?
- Give Royal Assent for bills to become law (correct)
- Elected by the Members of Parliament
- Serve as the head of the House of Commons
- Propose laws to Parliament
What is one responsibility of the Prime Minister?
What is one responsibility of the Prime Minister?
What is the primary function of the executive branch?
What is the primary function of the executive branch?
Which of the following statements about the House of Commons is correct?
Which of the following statements about the House of Commons is correct?
What role does the Prime Minister play concerning public servants?
What role does the Prime Minister play concerning public servants?
Which of the following statement is true regarding legislative processes in Canada?
Which of the following statement is true regarding legislative processes in Canada?
What is the primary role of the House of Commons?
What is the primary role of the House of Commons?
Who elects Members of Parliament (MPs)?
Who elects Members of Parliament (MPs)?
What is one of the responsibilities of MPs in the opposition?
What is one of the responsibilities of MPs in the opposition?
How are senators selected in Canada?
How are senators selected in Canada?
What is the maximum age a senator can serve until?
What is the maximum age a senator can serve until?
What is the role of the Senate in the legislative process?
What is the role of the Senate in the legislative process?
Which of the following statements about the Senate is true?
Which of the following statements about the Senate is true?
How many Supreme Court judges are there in Canada, and how are they distributed among the regions?
How many Supreme Court judges are there in Canada, and how are they distributed among the regions?
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Study Notes
Executive Branch
- Head of Government: Prime Minister (Justin Trudeau)
- Cabinet: Leaders of Government departments/agencies (portfolios)
- Governor General: Mary Simon
- Selection:
- Prime Minister: Elected as leader of the winning party in the House of Commons election
- Cabinet Ministers: Appointed by the Prime Minister
- Governor General: Appointed by the King on the advice of the Prime Minister
- Role: Proposes most laws, implements laws, runs day-to-day government business, enacts, applies, and enforces federal laws, provides a forum for debate.
- Fulfillment of Role:
- Prime Minister assigns ministerial roles
- Ministers receive confidential advice and are accountable to Parliament and constituents
- Ministers defend decisions publicly
- Ensure policy implementation
Prime Minister's Role
- Forms the Cabinet
- Appoints Public Servants
- Appoints Supreme Court Judges
- Appoints Heads of Government Corporations
- Appoints Senators
- Organizes Government
- Creates new departments
- Senior Diplomat
Cabinet Minister's Role
- Member of the Government in Power
- Each has a portfolio (e.g., Minister of Finance, Minister of Defense)
- Proposes most bills that become law
Legislative Branch
- Composition: House of Commons, Senate, Governor General (overlapping with Executive Branch)
- Essential Function: Bills cannot become laws without Royal Assent (given by the Governor General)
House of Commons
- Members: 338 Members of Parliament (MPs)
- Prime Minister: Justin Trudeau (also an MP)
- Selection:
- Prime Minister: Elected leader of the winning party in the House of Commons election
- MPs: Elected by voters in their ridings
- Role:
- Make laws
- Debate, study, and vote on bills proposed by Cabinet
- Represent constituents
- Introduce legislation regarding finances
- Discuss national issues
- Fulfillment of Role:
- Debate and modify bills/laws
- Represent constituents in their ridings
Opposition
- Members: Elected MPs not in the party in power
- Official Opposition: Party with the second-most seats
- Role:
- Challenge and criticize the government
- Ensure the government acts in the best interests of Canadians
- Engage in "Question Period" to challenge the government
Senate
- Members: 105 Senators
- Selection: Appointed by the Governor-General (on Prime Minister's advice), representing regions and minority groups
- Term: Remain in office until age 75
- Role:
- Represent regional and minority interests
- Provide "sober second thought" on bills passed by the House of Commons
- Can reject bills (rarely occurs)
- Contribute different perspectives
- Apply Senators' legal, business, and administrative expertise to examine legislation.
- Fulfillment of Role:
- Propose bills unrelated to money (rare occurrence)
- Scrutinize bills passed by the House of Commons
- Bring different perspectives to issues
- Ensure legislation protects citizen rights
Judicial Branch
- Members: 9 Supreme Court Judges from 4 Canadian regions
- 3 from Quebec
- 3 from Ontario
- 2 from Western Canada
- 1 from the Maritimes
- Selection: Not covered in the provided text
- Role: Not covered in the provided text
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