How laws are made & Lobbyists

• If a bill fails to pass through all five stages, it is rejected but can be reintroduced in the next parliamentary session.

Lobbyists

• Lobbyists are hired by groups to influence Members of Parliament (MPs) and government officials.
• They are required to register with a Commissioner of Lobbyists for public transparency.
• Lobbyists advocate for the views of groups on issues affecting their members, products, or services, which can impact all Canadians.
• They provide diverse perspectives and expertise within the federal political system.
• The Federal Accountability Act mandates lobbyists to document their meetings with MPs and government officials.

Democracy vs. Dictatorship

• Dictatorship: A government that governs without the consent of the governed.
• Democracy: Rule by the people, where all citizens are equal before the law and have equal access to power.
• Democracies distribute power among citizens who elect representatives, whereas dictatorships concentrate power in a single person or group.

Federal System of Government

• A federal system divides governmental powers between different levels (national, provincial, and municipal in Canada).
• In a federal system, power is shared between a central national government and smaller regional governments, each with defined authority.
• Countries adopt this system to balance national unity with regional autonomy and accommodate diverse populations.
• It allows regions to tailor policies to their unique needs and enables more efficient governance of large territories.

Bills

• Proposed laws debated, studied, and voted on by the House of Commons are called bills.
• The process of debate involves notice of the motion, moving and seconding the motion, debating, amending, and making a decision.

Members of Parliament (MPs)

• MPs are elected members of the House of Commons who represent voters in a specific riding or district.
• Most MPs belong to political parties, and the party with the most MPs typically forms the government.
• A person becomes an MP by winning the most votes in their riding during a federal election.

Becoming Prime Minister

• To become prime minister, one must be elected as the leader of a political party, be elected as an MP, and lead a party that wins the most seats in the House of Commons.

Ridings or Constituencies

• A riding or constituency is a geographical area represented by a single MP.
• There are 338 seats in the House of Commons, with the number of seats per region determined by population (Rep by Pop), so Ontario has more seats than Saskatchewan.

Role of the Opposition

• The Opposition critically examines government policies, proposes alternatives, and ensures government accountability.
• All parliamentary proceedings are conducted in English and French.

Majority vs. Minority Government

• A majority government occurs when the leading party holds half or more of the seats in the House of Commons, ensuring they can pass legislation.
• A minority government exists when the leading party holds less than half the seats, requiring them to gain support from other parties to pass laws.

Responsibilities of Members of Parliament

• MPs represent their constituents' interests and concerns by speaking on their behalf in the House of Commons.
• They also make and debate laws by proposing new legislation and voting on bills.

Popular Vote vs. Ridings in Alberta (Example)

• In Alberta, 65% of voters may vote Conservative, but the Conservative party can hold 100% of the seats in Parliament.
• If votes were counted by popular vote instead of by riding, there would be increased representation for other parties.
• The number of seats each party receives would more closely reflect the percentage of votes they received, leading to more diverse representation.

Athens, Greece: The First Direct Democracy

• Citizens gathered to discuss and make decisions affecting society, with each citizen voting on laws.
• This system required educated citizens and effective communication and was feasible only due to the small population.

Representative Democracy

• Due to a large population and the complexity of issues, Canada cannot be a direct democracy, rather it is is a representative democracy.
• Educated and informed citizens are crucial for understanding the implications of their decisions.
• Representative democracy involves electing government officials to be informed and participate in government debates on behalf of the citizens.
• Independent courts ensure government accountability, a free press allows for open communication, and lobby groups influence government by advocating for their members' interests.

Levels of Government in Canada

• Municipal: Focuses on local issues like water, garbage, and by-laws.
• Provincial: Deals with resource development and education, responding to regional diversity.
• Federal: Handles matters affecting the entire country, such as currency, defense, foreign policy, and immigration.
• Elected officials are called aldermen (municipal), MLAs (provincial), and MPs (federal).

Senate Membership

• Senators are appointed by the prime minister and can remain in office until age 75.
• Prime ministers tend to appoint people who support their political party.
• Senators are meant to represent the interests and rights of Canada's regions, especially minorities.
• Senate proceedings are conducted in French and English.

Senate's Role

• The Senate usually considers bills passed by the House of Commons, providing a "sober second thought" through careful reconsideration.
• The Senate's perspective is important as it brings a regional voice to national issues.
• The Senate cannot propose laws that create or spend taxes.
• A bill must pass both the House of Commons and the Senate to become law.
• There are 105 seats in the Senate.

Senate Representation

• Representation differs from the House of Commons; the Constitution defines "divisions" or regions for appointing senators, ensuring a guaranteed number of seats per region.

Governor General

• The Governor General represents Britain's monarch in Canada and is part of the executive and legislative branches.
• The Governor General represents Canada's head of state.
• Duties of the Governor General include, granting Royal Assent. that is, formally approving a bill into law, and delivering the Speech from the Throne, which outlines the government's plans for the coming year.

Cabinet Ministers

• The prime minister appoints individual as a cabinet minister.

Prime Minister Selection

• In order to become prime minister, one must be elected as the leader of a political party, be elected as a member of parliament, and the party one leads must win the most seats in the House of Commons.

Checks and Balances

• Branches of government must be able to check the powers of the other Branches to ensure the rights of Canadians are respected.

Branches of Government

• Executive Branch: Puts laws into action, proposes most laws, and manages the day-to-day operations of the government.
• Legislative Branch: Makes laws and represents the interests and rights of Canada's regions.
• Judicial Branch: Applies and interprets laws.
• Members of the judicial branch are legal professionals such as Members of the supreme court or provincial/territorial courts
• There are nine judges in the Supreme Court so there are representatives from Quebec, Ontario, Western Canada, and the Maritimes.

Montesquieu's Rationale for Three Branches

• Montesquieu advocated for three branches of government to limit the power of each, preventing any one branch from becoming too dominant, such as a king.
• Legislative: Writes the laws.
• Executive: Enforces the laws.
• Judicial: Interprets the laws.

Bicameral Legislature

• Bicameral means two houses or chambers called the House of Commons and the Senate.

Significance of Seating in the House of Commons

• Represents the population, with more people added as the population grows.
• All members of a party sit together, and the party with the most seats forms the government.
• The governing party sits on the right-hand side, while the second-largest party, the opposition, sits on the left side, across from the government.

Official Opposition

• The official opposition is responsible for scrutinizing the government, checking the power of the governing party, and ensuring that the government acts in the best interests of Canada.

Senate as the "Sober Second Thought"

• Wealthy and educated people appointed to the Senate review legislation created by the House of Commons.
• Senators serve until age 75, providing a long-term perspective and avoiding past mistakes.

Differences Between Canadian and American Senators

• Senators are appointed to focus on law making instead of popularity, serve until age 75 for long-term vision, and are regionally represented with some consideration for rep by pop
• Senators are elected to ensure they follow the wishes of the people, are elected every 6 years for greater accountability, and are equally represented by state, strengthening the regional voice for smaller states.

Making Laws & The House of Commons

• The party with the most seats (governing party) proposes bills, while the opposition scrutinizes them.
• A minority government gives the opposition more power.

Bills

• A bill is a document outlining a proposed law.
• A private member’s bill is Introduced by other members of the House of Commons and do not usually pass.
• Party members can debate laws in caucus meetings, but must publicly support the party's decision afterward.
• A majority government typically ensures its important bills pass due to party solidarity.

Confidence and Responsible Government

• The executive branch must maintain the support of the elected legislative branch.
• A vote of non-confidence occurs if the legislature loses confidence in the executive, leading to the government stepping down.

Steps for a Bill to Become Law

• An idea is conceived and written down.
• Introduction in the House of Commons without debate (First reading).
• Debate and committee review for constitutionality; amendments are made (Second Reading).
• Final vote in the House of Commons (third reading).
• The bill goes through the same process in the Senate, which provides a "sober second thought”.
• It the bill needs revision, it has to go back to the house of commons and through the process again.
• The Governor General grants Royal Assent, making the bill official. (King Charles now)

Political Parties

• Political parties are groups of people with similar opinions who aim to form the government by winning the most seats in the legislature.
• Each party has a platform outlining its key policies, which it promotes to gain support and members.
• Local branches select a member to represent the party in elections, with the party supporting the candidate's campaign.
• The winning party uses its platform to decide which laws to pass.
• Candidates have loyalty to their party due to the party's support in their election and party solidarity.
• Party solidarity requires party members to prioritize the party's interests and ideology.

Independent Candidates

• Canadians typically do not vote for independent candidates because independents lack support in the legislature.
• The main parties in Canada's multi-party system goes from right wing to left wind including: Conservative, Liberal, Green, NDP, and Bloc Quebecois parties.

Lobby Groups

• Lobby groups are groups of people with similar opinions who collaborate to improve the country, but they do not directly elect individuals to office.
• Lobby groups focus on niche issues.
• They get support through media, stunts, social media, and opinion polls.
• Opinion polls may lack accuracy due to technology and low response rates, which could lead to flawed policies.
• A lobbyist is an unelected individual who influences government officials, which can lead to greater influence for those with more money.

Judicial Branch

• Lobby groups use the judicial branch by launching supreme court cases to challenge laws' validity and constitutionality.

The Free Press

• The free press shares information, keeps the government accountable, and allows citizens to influence the government, which ensures citizens are interested and informed.
• The government uses the media to advertise policies, while parties use it to promote their platforms and attack opponents
• A concern with the free press is bias, as news stories differ from commentary.

Suffrage

• Suffrage defines who has the right to vote.

Changes to voting over time

• 1847: secret ballot introduced.
• 1916: women can vote in Manitoba, later that year in Alberta.
• 1917: female relatives of soldiers vote in federal elections.
• 1918: all women can vote in federal elections.
• 1920: First Nations people can vote, but must give up status.
• 1940: women can vote in Quebec.
• 1948: race can no longer be used to bar people from voting.
• 1960: aboriginal people can vote without restrictions.
• 1970: voting age reduced from 21 to 18.
• 1993: people with mental disabilities allowed voting rights.
• 2000: homeless people can vote.
• 2002: prison inmates can vote.

Voter Turnout

• Canada has a relatively low voter turnout because voting is not mandatory.

Size of Ridings

• The size of ridings change to balance the population.

Periodic vs. Fixed Date Elections

• A periodic election occurs when the leader calls an election within five years.
• A fixed date election is held on a set date every few years, preventing the prime minister from calling elections opportunistically and causing long election campaigns.

Votes vs. Seats

• Votes represent the number of people who want to be their representative.
• Seats represent power in the House of Commons, helping a party become the governing party and create laws.

First Past the Post & Artificial Majorities

• The candidate needs the plurality to get the seat for their riding regardless if its the majority.
• Artificial majorities occur when a party has more power than support which prevents people from really being represented and doesn’t listen to minorities enough.

Proportional Representation

• Each party gets seats based on the percentage of the vote they got from the entire country.
• It argued to be more democratic, and better for minorities.
• But, proportional representation causes a minority government which will result in political promises to be compromised to get the support of other parties to form a coalition (multiple parties sharing power.).
• With proportional representation, the party chooses officials, instead of getting to elect them.
• PR causes a minority government which are usually unstable and fringe parties are more likely to get elected.

Canadian Government Pop Quiz Answers

• The primary role of Canada’s federal political system is to ensure quality of life for all Canadians.
• The Constitution outlines governance in Canada.
• The Prime Minister is the head of Canada’s government.
• The role of the Prime Minister in Canada’s federal government is to decide cabinet portfolios and lead the executive branch.
• Cabinet ministers are chosen by appointment from the Prime Minister.
• A political party is a formally recognized organization with shared values seeking to form government.
• The legislative branch is responsible for making laws.
• Members of Parliament (MPs), elected by voters in ridings, are members of the House of Commons.
• Representation in the House of Commons is based on population size in each riding or district.
• One key responsibility of an MP is representing their constituents and creating legislation for good governance.
• Senators are selected in Canada by appointment from the Prime Minister until age 75.
• The Senate plays a role in law-making by providing “sober second thought” on bills passed by the House of Commons.
• A primary function of Canada’s judicial branch is interpreting and applying laws, including rights under the Constitution.
• What is unique about Canada’s Supreme Court is that it has final authority on all legal questions in Canada.
• The Total votes won by political parties across all ridings is the "popular vote." in Canadian elections.
• Canada has multiple political parties to reflect Canadians’ diverse views and priorities.
• Both French and English languages are used in all proceedings of Canada’s legislative branch.
• If a bill is rejected by either the House of Commons or Senate, it cannot become law unless both approve it.
• There are three branches of government in Canada's federal system.
• The Governor General represents the Head of State in Canada.

Branches of Government Pop Quiz Answers

• The main job of the legislative branch is to create laws.
• In Canada, the two chambers of the legislative branch are called the House of Commons and Senate.
• The House of Commons is also known as the Lower House.
• The number of seats in the House of Commons is determined based on population.
• Members of Parliament (MPs) represent various ridings or constituencies.
• In the House of Commons, the governing party sits on the right-hand side of the Speaker.
• The job of the official opposition is to find fault with the government.
• Senators in Canada are chosen by being appointed by the Prime Minister.
• The main job of the Senate is to be a sober second thought on legislation.
• The maximum number of years a Senator can serve is until they reach the age of 75.
• The executive branch is responsible for enforcing laws in Canada.
• The Prime Minister is the head of the executive branch in Canada.
• The judicial branch plays a role by interpreting laws and the constitution in the Canadian government.
• In the Canadian system, technically above the Prime Minister is the Governor General.

Laws Pop Quiz

• The three branches of government in Canada are the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial.
• The House of Commons (Parliament) is primarily responsible for creating laws in Canada.
• Canada has a bicameral legislature because it has two houses or chambers that work on creating laws.
• The role of the official opposition in the House of Commons is to point out flaws in bills and criticize the government.
• A "bill" in the Canadian legislative process is a document outlining a proposed law.
• "Party solidarity" is the expectation that members of a party will publicly support the party's decisions.
• If the governing party holds a minority government, they must convince other parties to vote with them to pass bills.
• A "vote of non-confidence" is a vote indicating the legislature no longer trusts the executive branch.
• The Senate offers the "sober second thought" in the Canadian legislative process.
• Royal Assent is the Queen's (or Governor General's) final approval of a bill (King Charles now).

Study Guide Pop Quiz

• The federal system is a system where powers are shared between national and regional governments.
• Democracy is a system where citizens elect representatives to make decisions.
• Dictatorship is a government ruled by a single leader with total control.
• Direct democracy is a system where citizens vote on all important issues directly.
• Bills become laws when they are introduced in the House of Commons, debated, and voted on.
• The three branches of the Federal government are the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.
• The executive branch is made up of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
• The responsibilities of the legislative branch are to make and pass laws.
• The cabinet is a group of advisors selected by the Prime Minister.
• How is the prime minister chosen?: Elected by citizens in a general election
• The governor general is the ceremonial representative of the monarch in Canada.
• One becomes the governor general when they are appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister.
• One becomes a senator when the are appointed by the Prime Minister.
• The senate supposed to represent:. the provinces and territories
• Until the age of 75 one can remain a senator.
• Senators cannot propose any laws related to taxes.
• A constitution is a written list of rules for governing; a constitutional monarchy is where the monarch’s powers are limited by law
• A political party is a group that tries to influence laws in a democratic society.
• The five main political parties in Canada : Liberal, Conservative, NDP, Green, Bloc Québécois
• The Liberal and Conservative parties have all run the federal government.
• Constituency is another name for an electoral riding.
• An MP is a Member of Parliament with 2 main jobs: to represent their constituency and create laws.
• After an election, the party with the most seats in the House of Commons forms the government
• “Rep by pop” means Representation based on population size
• Government proceedings are held in English and French.
• Popular Vote is the total number of votes cast by the people.
• The role of the media in a democracy is to influence public opinion and provide information.
• Lobby groups are groups that attempt to influence decisions on specific issues.
• Bias is an unfair preference or prejudice towards something.
• The Prime Minister leads the government, making decisions and overseeing policies.
• There are 338 seats in the House of Commons and 105 in the Senate.
• Majority government : When a party holds more than half of the seats in the House of Commons.
• Minority government is when a party holds fewer than half of the seats in the House of Commons
• Coalition Government: A government formed when multiple parties agree to work together