SS 11 - Structure of the Federal Government
SS 11 - Structure of the Federal Government
Executive Branch Notes
Executive Branch:
- Purpose of the executive branch is to make and apply government decision.
- Consists of:
(1)___________________________
(2)___________________________
(3) Cabinet
(4) ___________________________
(5) ___________________________
(6) ___________________________ (civil service/bureaucracy)
The Governor General:
- Monarch’s representative.
- Gives formal assent (agreement) to a __________ before it becomes law.
- Performs ceremonial functions.
- Acts as an adviser to the government.
- Ensures the government follows the _______________________.
- Current Governor General is ________________________.
The Prime Minister – Overview:
- In Canada, the Prime Minister is not chosen directly as leader of the nation.
- The _____________ of the political party with the most elected representatives in the House of Commons is usually asked by the Governor General to become Prime Minister.
- Political Party – An organization of individuals who support a common set of goals and beliefs.
The Prime Minister – Non – Confidence:
- Position is dependent upon support of his/her party in the House of Commons.
- If PM loses support of the majority of parliament members, he or she might lose office through a vote of non-confidence.
- Vote of non-confidence occurs in two ways:
(1) ___________________ can defeat a bill introduced by the PM’s government.
(2) Members can introduce a formal vote of non-confidence. This is
unlikely in a ________________ government because members in the
ruling party will defeat it.
The Prime Minister – Duties:
- Head of Government.
- Acts as a voice of the nation.
- Develops foreign trade and foreign policy.
- Recommends new judges and senators.
- Acts as a spokesperson for his/her party and leads the ______________ of his/her party.
- Selects Members of Parliament for his ___________________.
- Advises Governor General when to _____________ parliament so that an election may be called. Election occurs after a term expires (5 years).
The Cabinet – Overview:
- Cabinet – Made up of elected party members chosen by the PM who decide government policy.
- Cabinet members usually have responsibility for particular departments of government such as: Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Justice.
- There are approximately ___________ members of the Cabinet who are referred to as ___________________.
- Ex. Minister of Finance, Minister of Defense etc.
The Cabinet – Role and Responsibilities:
- PM tries to ensure that each province is represented by at least ________ cabinet minister.
- Cabinet Ministers have __________________.
- Cabinet Ministers remain in office until Parliament’s term expires, or PM removes them, or if gov’t is defeated in the House of Commons.
- Cabinet Ministers are responsible for their department’s efficient and effective operation.
- Cabinet Ministers also speak on behalf of their department in Parliament and in public.
- As a ______________, Cabinet Ministers decide on government policy (taxes, war involvement, etc.)
The Cabinet – The Deputy Minister:
- Each Cabinet Minister chooses a Deputy Minister for their Department.
- Deputy Ministers are not ____________________.
- Deputy Ministers must report to the Cabinet Minister.
- Carry out day to day operations of the Ministry they work for.
The Cabinet – Cabinet Solidarity
- Cabinet Ministers are allowed to discuss and disagree with each other in private Cabinet meetings.
- Publicly, Cabinet members must display full support of the decisions of the government. This is known as Cabinet Solidarity.
- Solidarity is so important that parties usually elect one member to acts as party whip.
- The party-whips role is to ensure that members are present in Parliament to support party bills and vote in legislature.
- On occasion, party whips discipline members who do not behave as expected by their party.
- Ex. In 1997, Liberal MP John Nunziata was forced to resign for speaking out against a policy of his own party. He later ran an independent (someone who has no affiliation to any political party).
Backbenchers:
- Members of the governing party who are not in the Cabinet.
- Role is to support their party.
- At times, they may vote against their party or resign if they disagree with a government proposal.
The Shadow Cabinet:
- Members of Parliament from the Official Opposition.
- Chosen to shadow a specific minister from the Cabinet. (ex. Shadowing the Minister of Defense).
- Acts as ____________ of the government in power.
The Public Service:
- Also known as the Civil Service/Bureaucracy.
- A group of permanent employees who perform the ongoing business of government.
- Serve as a link between Canadian citizens and the government.
- They perform duties such as gathering _____________, writing details for new laws, delivering mail, etc.
- Most senior public servants are Deputy Ministers.
How a Bill Becomes Law – Overview:
- Any ______________ of the House of Commons or Senate may introduce a bill.
- If a member is not in the Cabinet, the bill is referred to as a private member’s bill.
- Very few private member’s bills pass into law.
How a Bill Becomes Law – Process:
- For a bill to become law, it must go through a number of steps before it is signed by the Prime Minister and Governor General.
- _____________ decides on new laws.
- Lawyers draft a bill.
- Caucus meets to discuss the bill.
- Bill must pass __________ Readings in the House of Commons and the Senate before it can be signed into law.
How a Bill Becomes Law – Steps:
- Steps:
- (1) First Reading – Bill is introduced and read without any debate.
- (2) Second Reading – Principle (idea) behind the bill is debated.
- If the bill passes the second reading, a multiparty committee is assigned
to study the bill clause by clause to work out the details.
- Committee stage often allows the public to have a say in the legislative
process.
- Report Stage – Members are allowed to make other amendments to the
bill.
- (3) Third Reading – Members of the House of Commons debate one last
time and votes are cast.
- If the bill is accepted, it is sent to the ____________ where it goes through
the same process of three readings.
- Senate rarely rejects a bill that has been passed in the House of
Commons.
- Royal Assent – The bill receives Royal Assent and is signed by the
Governor General once it passes the 3 readings.
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