9.1 Students will demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of how Canada's political processes impact citizenship and identity in an attempt to meet the needs of all Canadians:

• 9.1.2 Appreciate the various effects of government policies on citizenship and on Canadian society

• 9.1.4 Examine the structure of Canada's federal political system 

• 9.1.4b What is the relationship between the executive, legislative and judicial branches of Canada's federal political system?

• 9.1.4c What processes are used to determine Members of Parliament (MP's) and Senators?

• 9.1.4d To whom are Members of Parliament and Senators accountable?

Executive Branch  - the part of government responsible for putting laws into action

Includes 

bill - proposed legislation that is voted on to become a law

constituency - a body of citizens entitled to elect a representative 

constituents - someone who lives in a riding and is represented by an elected official from that riding

government 

• governing party -

• the party with the most MP's represents the majority of the government

judicial branch - the part of government that interprets and applies the law by making legal judgements

legislative branch - the part of government that makes laws

Member of Parliament -

• elected person who represent one riding or constituency in the House of Commons

• usually belongs to a political party

opposition - MP's who do not represent the government.  Their job is to debate and act as the watchdog, ensuring all Canadians view's are being heard

popular vote - the total votes cast in an election, as different from the total  seats won in an election

Question Period - members of parliament seek answers from the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers to questions on government decisions

ridings - electoral district

senators - Members of Canada's Senate

Political Parties

• A group of people who have an interest in the same issues

• Represent those who share similar ideas

Party members

• Those who pay to be a card-carrying member for a political party

• Elect a candidates to represent their party in an election 

• Vote on issues related to the party constitution, such as amendments.

Candidates

Each riding in Canada elects the person they feel will best represent their needs at the federal level.  The person with the most votes earns the seat as the MP for that riding.

Two roles:

• Represent their ridings

• Create legislation for the betterment of Canada

Breakdown of the Battle River - Crowfoot Electoral District in the Federal Election 2021

Senators are selected to represent regions of Canada, allowing for all regions to have an equal voice.  In 1867, Confederation identified Ontario, Québec and the Maritimes as the three regions that were to be represented by the senate.  Although the population at that time was predominately found in Ontario, the concerns and needs of both the French and Maritimes were supported through their senators.  All senators are appointed by the Govenor General on advice from the PM and can remain in office until the age of 75.  Most often senators are supporters of the current PM, but they can also be representatives from other parties.   Proceedings, which are done in both French and English, provide an opportunity for bills to be debated and studied before being accepted or rejected.  

Duties

• Pass bills after careful discussion and debate, in order to become law

• Propose laws, but usually only considers them

• Cannot propose laws that generate or spend taxes

• Can reject bills from the House of Commons

Did you know??

There is a move to eliminate the appointment of the Senators, but instead establish a vote for those who should represent a region in the senate.  

How do you think this might impact the people of Canada who vote?

What about those who do not vote?

How could this change the voices of those who cannot speak for themselves in Parliament?

The Supreme Court Bench is run by the chief justice and eight judges who are nominated by the PM and cabinet,.  They go through a review with a committee of MP's, with the appointment being made by the Governor General.  The Supreme Court of Canada is the highest level of justice in Canada.  

Duties

• Interprets the law and applies it to the rights of Canadians

• Settles disputes of all other rulings from lower level courts

• Can question rules for making and applying laws

• Main responsibility is to ensure that all rights of Canadians are respected

• Question societal issues related to equality, discrimination, criminal process 

In your political party groups, discuss the following question and complete the Issue #2 following the instructions in Workspace on the card titled "Issue #2: Should the Senate be elected?".

1.3: The Art of Persuasion