CHV20
Who is who in government?
Monarch / Queen

The head of state of Canada and
13 other nations

In theory holds all the power


In reality, has none
Rewards




One of the richest women in the
world
Many castles
Extensive travel
Queen for life
Monarch Continued
Two viewpoints:


The queen is a useless relic of the colonial past
Doesn’t reflect Canada’s multicultural nature
Or


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)
David Johnston – 0ct 2010
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

Chooses 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

Kim Campbell was the first female PM

Jean Chretien saved Canada from separating

Paul Martin did…..not sure

Stephen Harper
Prime Minister continued
Rewards:
 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 with vacations
Senate continued
The 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 continued
Rewards:



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
continued
Rewards

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)

Our Premier is Kathleen Wynne

Same responsibilities as the
Prime Minister, but for the
province

Education, Health, Family Law,
Municipalities, etc.
Premier continued
Rewards

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?
Members of Provincial Parliament

Represent their party and
constituents at the
provincial level of
government

Our MPP – Laurie Scott
(Conservative)

Salary (2010)
$133,217.04
Mayor and City Councillors
Municipal Government

Mayor elected directly
by the people
Local
police
City parks
Snow
removal
Public
transport
Water
sewage
Responsibilities

Councillors and mayor
do not represent a
political party
Fire
fighting
Property
tax
Garbage
libraries
Local
roads
Municipal Government
continued
Rewards

Mayor Ric McGee

$85, 000 a year for mayor of
CKL (168, 000 for the Major of
Toronto)

$25,000 for city councilors in
CKL (about 65,000 for
Toronto)

Direct impact on the lives of
your neighbours