What type of government does Canada have?
Canada’s government operates under democracy by representation.
Explain the difference between a state, society and government.
A society: is a group of people sharing the same geographic or virtual territory, Subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations.
A state: is a political association with effective dominion over a geographic area. It includes institutions that claim the authority to make rules that govern the society.
A government: is the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit. It is the apparatus through which a governing body functions and excersizes authority.
What are some types of democracies?
Democracy
- (Representative and Direct)
- Republics
- Parliamentary democracies
- Constitutional monarchies
What is the difference between a pure and representative democracy?
In a pure democracy,(of which there have been very few), people would all vote on policy initiatives individually but in a representative democracy, people vote on a rep. which then votes on policy initiatives for them so they can go to work and make money to pay taxes :)
What is a constitution?
Most democracies operate under a constitution that serves to set fundamental principles and standards for the state.
When was the original constitution written? when was it ammended?
Created in 1867 when Canada was born
Ammended in 1981
Give examples of the following
- republic
- constitutional monarchy
- Dictatorship
- Theocracy
- Monarchy
- USA - In a republic, the citizens have the power to elect a leader to govern them and make decisions.
- Canada - The king or queen is the head of state but the real power to make laws and govern is in an elected parliament.
- Nazi Germany - political power is monopolized by a single person.
- The Vatican –In a pure theocracy, the civilizations leader is believed to have a divine connection with their religious beliefs. The law proclaimed by this ruler would be considered the law of God
- Medieval France - In the dark ages rulers used to wield absolute political power. Some countries in Africa and other crazy places still do this.
What is the absence of government referred to?
Anarchy! muahahaha
How do most governments today govern?
In accordance with their constitutions, governments implement Legislation to govern.
Where does our form of government originate?
The Canadian constitution of 1867 and major ammendment in 1981
What are the main acts under which BC forests are managed?
- The ministry of forest act
- The Forest Range and Practices act
- The Forest act
- The Forrester’s act
- The Wildfire Act
- The Range Act
What is the Division of Power in Canada?
Out of 308 electoral ridings, British Columbia gets 36. Ontario gets the most at 106.
How does the Federal Gov’t differ from the Provincial Gov’t in terms of its structure and members?
What other type of gov’t is there?
- Federal is concerned with Defence, external affairs, currency, citizenship, criminal law and postal service
- Provincial Governments are more geared toward Natural Resources, Healthcare, education, local law enforcement, civil rights and administration of justice.
Municipal Government is the other form and takes care of fire management and water distribution as well as local by laws.
What events are most responsible for the increase in democracies over the past 150 years?
World War 1 and World War 2.
Explain the federal gov’t hierarchy.
- The PM is the head of government
- 108 senators make up the upper house
- The lower house is the house of commons
What is the duty of the privy counsel?
Keep the governor general up to date on current issues and advise him in his decisions.
Who selects the governor general? What is the normal term of office?
Prime minister selects governor general
5-7 year term
Who appoints the governor general?
The Monarch
What is Hansard?
The official report of debates in BC legislature.
- Full report, in first person, leaving out nothing that adds to the meaning of the debate.
What is the provincial equivalent of the governor general? What about in the territories?
The Lieutenant Governor. In BC it is Judy Guichon
The territories have a territorial commissioner
Explain the process of creating an act at the federal and provincial levels
At the provincial level…
- First reading: Bill is tabled
- Second Reading: in front of a committee
- Committee reports the bill to the house of commons directly with any proposed amendments.
- Third Reading: House votes on bill
- Royal assent granted by GG or LG if house votes in favor.
The only difference at the federal level is that after the third reading, the bill must go through senate before it is passed to the GG for royal assent.
What is the difference between an act and a law?
- An act is a piece of legislation that dictates government policy with regards to specific situations
- A law is a rule of conduct or action that is enforced by the controlling authority.
What is the Job of the GG and LG’s
The GG represents her majesty at a federal level and the LG’s do so at the provincial level. Both can give royal assent to bills being passed.
The GG also appoints gov’t officials (ceremonially) and opens and closes parliament.
What is the role of the senate?
To provide sober second thought to the work of the house of commons.
All federal legislation must be passed by senate before receiving royal assent.
