CHV20 Unit 1: Who is who in government Ms. Pannell.

CHV20 Unit 1: Who is who in government

Ms. Pannell

Monarch / Queen The head of state of

Canada and 13 other nations

In theory holds all the power In reality, has none

Rewards Richest woman in the world Many castles Extensive travel Queen for life

Monarch ContinuedTwo viewpoints:

The queen is a useless relic of the colonial past Doesn’t reflect Canada’s multicultural natureOr Personifies the state and symbolizes the rule of law Humanizes authority, symbol of hope

Reflect Which viewpoint do you agree with more? Do you think

Canada should continue having a Queen?

Governor General Appointed by the Queen on

the recommendation of the Prime Minister

Represents the Queen and therefore the nation, not the government

Non-partisan

Signs all bills into law (Royal Assent)

GG continued Ceremonial role

Celebrates national identity and unity

Welcomes foreign dignitaries

Appoints the prime minister Gives awards (e.g. Order of

Canada) Reads the Speech from the

Throne at the start of Parliament

GG continued Rewards

Salary of $119,236 Travel across Canada

and the world Free house (Rideau

Hall) 5 year term

Lieutenant-Governor (said left-tenant) Current holder for Ontario:

David C. Onley Appointed by the Governor

General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister

Represents the Queen in a province

Same responsibilities as Governor General but for a province

Lieutenant-Governor (said left-tenant)

Rewards: Salary of $110 000 and a title – Your Honour Usually champions a cause 5 year term

Reflect Is a Lieutenant-Governor necessary? Why or

why not?

Prime Minister Appointed by the

Governor-General

Is the leader of the party with the most seats in the House of Commons

Holds real power in Canada

Prime Minister continued Chooses cabinet ministers

Appoints the Governor General, Lieutenant Governors, Supreme Court Justices, Defense Chiefs, heads of crown corporations (e.g. Canada Post) etc.

Sets the direction for the government and can profoundly change the country

Prime Minister continued John A. MacDonald confederated

Canada

Laurier settled the West

Mackenzie King introduced social welfare

Pierre Trudeau introduced multiculturalism and bilingualism

Mulroney introduced the GST

Prime Minister continuedRewards:

Travel and expense account

Free house - 24 Sussex Dr.

Salary of $300 000 per year

All the power and responsibility

Reflect: Does the Prime Minister have too much power? Explain.

Senate Appointed by the Governor General on

the recommendation of the Prime Minister

Must retire at 75 (used to be appointed for life)

Upper house

Consider legislation passed by the House of Commons

Can be very busy with causes or very negligent

Senate continuedThe Senate was created for three reasons:1. To allow the rich and powerful a final say on the

laws Must own $4000 worth of land

2. Appointed officials have no conflicts of interest No worry about losing an election by being right but unpopular

3. To represent regional interests better than the House of Commons

Senate continued 105 Senators represent

Canada’s regions 24 from each of Ontario and

Quebec 10 each from Nova Scotia

and New Brunswick 6 from Newfoundland 4 from PEI 6 each from the Western

Provinces 1 from each of the territories

Senate continuedRewards:

Can help raise the profile of a cause Discuss new laws $122 700 annual salary plus 64 first class round trip air tickets for

anywhere in Canada

Reflect: Do you think the Senate should be elected? Why or why not? What are the advantages and disadvantages of an appointed Senate?

Members of Parliament

308 members elected by the residents of a riding or constituency

Ridings are approximately 100 000 residents Ontario and Quebec

hold 60% of the seats in the House

Members of Parliament continued Represent their party and their

constituents

Help the public connect with government

Vote with their party on laws

Sit on committees to review legislation

Can have additional jobs e.g. minister, leader of the opposition, critic, speaker, whip, etc.

Members of Parliament continuedRewards

Annual salary of $150 800 plus 64 first class round trip air tickets for anywhere in Canada

Additional salary for additional jobs ($72 000 for ministers)

Personal satisfaction of serving their country

Reflect: Do MPs get paid enough or

too much? Explain.

Premier Appointed by the Lieutenant

Governor of a province

The leader of the party with the most seats in the Provincial Parliament (or legislature)

Same responsibilities as the Prime Minister, but for the province

Education, Health, Family Law, Municipalities, etc.

Premier continuedRewards

Can make a difference in the above issues for a province

$200 000 salary plus expense account

Reflect: Why would someone choose to

run for provincial politics instead of national politics?