How Does Canadian Government Work
Canada is a democratic nation. But, because of our heritage, we are a constitutional monarchy, as we have a Head of State to the Monarchy (English).
There are 3 levels of government. Federal (All over Canada), provincial (Provinces), and Municipal (Town/Country).
Federal
Prime minister is a leader of federal government, which is Justin Trudeau. The main responsibilities of federal government are defense, foreign affairs, criminal law, post office, veterans’ affairs.
Provincial
Primer is a leader of provincial government. The main responsibilities of provincial government are education, civil laws, licensing, etc.
Municipal
Mayor is a leader of municipal government. The main responsibilities of Municipal government are mainly libraries, parks, community water systems, local police, roadways and parking.
Canada Moves To Legalize Recreational Marijuana
https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/canada-legalize-marijuana_us_58efb0bfe4b0bb9638e23062
This news article explains about marijuana legalization. In this article, we can tell that the law is not passed yet, so it is still in law-making process.
How are Laws made?
Laws are made by the legislative Process
First Reading
- The bill is considered read for the first time and is printed
Second Reading
- Members debate the bill’s principle
Committee Stage
- Committee members study the bill clause by clause
Report Stage
- Members can make other amendments.
Third Reading
- Members debate and vote on the bill
Senate
- The bill follows similar process.
Royal Assent
- The bill receives Royal Assent after being passed by both Houses.
Who can submit bills to be created into laws?
Most of the bills usually comes from the Executive Branch, but members of Parliament can submit bills to be created into laws as well. Also, there is Backbencher bill which is rare.
“No duty to consult Indigenous groups on federal law-making: Supreme Court”
How Can A Canadian Citizen Effect Change?
Election process in Canada
- Dissolution — Parliament is dissolved
- Enumeration — Voters list compiled
- Nomination — Parties choose candidates
- Campaigning
- Voting or Balloting
- Tabulating — Votes are counted
How can individual participate in a Canadian election?
All Canadian citizens 18 and over can participate in a Canadian election by voting.
Canada’s party system — Populism
In British Columbia, the Liberals and the NDP are the two strongest parties and control the government. Also, its political party members are intensely partisan and it often seems to be title room for compromise.
How can Canadian citizens influence government?
Other than election, there is still a way to influence government, which is civil disobedience. Civil disobedience is the act of intentionally breaking, or refusing to keep, laws one considers unjust.
“Ontario students walk out of class to protest sex-ed curriculum changes”
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/student-walkout-protest-ontario-sex-ed-changes-1.4833097
Ontario students protested against sex-ed curriculum. As a result, the province has said a new sex-ed curriculum is expected for the 2019–2020 school year.
What Rights Do Canadian Citizens Have Guaranteed in Canada?
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, 1982 provides Canadians their rights.
Fundamental Freedom includes freedom of:
- Conscience and religion
- Thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communications
- Peaceful assembly and association
Democratic Rights includes:
- Right to vote
- Maximum duration and sitting of legislative bodies
Mobility Rights includes:
- The right to move to and live in any province
- The right to pursue a livelihood in any province
Legal Rights includes:
- Life, liberty, and security of the person
- Security against unreasonable search and seizure
- No arbitrary detention or imprisonment
- Be informed promptly for the reasons for any arrest or detention
- Retain and instruct counsel on arrest
- Trial within a reasonable time by an impartial tribunal
- No self incrimination
- No cruel and unusual punishment
- The right to a court-appointed interpreter
Equality Rights includes:
- Equal treatment before and under the law
- Equal benefit and protection of the law without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability
Language Rights includes:
- English and French are the official languages of Canada
- Minority language education rights in certain circumstances
Canada Summer Jobs program will no longer fund anti-abortion, anti-gay groups
https://globalnews.ca/news/3914528/canada-summer-jobs-anti-abortion-anti-gay-groups/
Canadian government is shutting down summer job grants for anti-abortion groups. Abortion is permitted according to Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Useful links for Canadian citizens
https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/Const/page-15.html — CONSTITUTION ACT, 1982
https://www.canada.ca/en/government/system/structure.html — Structure of government — Canada.ca
http://guides.library.queensu.ca/gov/canada/federal/how-a-bill-becomes-a-law — How a Federal Bill Becomes a Law — Government Information: Canada — Research Guides at Queen’s University
https://canadianimmigrant.ca/living/community/understanding-the-canadian-voting-process — Understanding the Canadian voting process | Canadian Immigrant
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-telephone-reporting.html — How do I contact EI Canada? | Canada.ca