Introducing our Canadian Government (Review Sheet 2-1 p. 140 )

1. 1. Which organization ranked Canada as the best place in the world to live? The United Nations 2. How do Canadians reflect diversity? Religion, race, cultural traditions, values, economic status According to the 2006 census, the largest self-reported Canadian(32%), English(21%), French (15.8%), Scottish(15.1%), Irish (13.9%), German (10.2%), Italian (4.6%), Chinese (4.3%), First Nations (4.0%), Ukrainian (3.9%), and Dutch (3.3%).There are 600 recognized First Nations governments or bands encompassing 1,172,790 people Introducing our Canadian Government (Review Sheet 2-1 p. 140)

2. 3.What type of government rule is in place in Canada? Does it have any faults? Democracy controlled by the people Faults: large diverse population hard to make everyone happy 4. Besides people, how else is Canada diverse? Cultural history, Geography, Values, Economics 5. What is a constitution, what are its 2 purposes? Supreme law of the land 1.Structure for governing the nation 2. Defines and limits what a gov’t can do

3. 6. What is the name of Canada’s constitution? Who wrote it and where was it signed? British North America Act (BNA)—1867 Written by John A. MacDonald Passed in Great Britain 7. What happened in 1982, why was it significant? Constitution was “patriated” (brought home) Canada can now make changes to its constitution on our own

4. 8. What is the purpose of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms? Outlines basic rights and responsibilities of citizens 9. Provide THREE “fundamental freedoms:” Freedom of religion Freedom of thought, belief, opinion, expression, freedom of the press Freedom of peaceful assembly Freedom of association

5. 10. Explain what is meant by “equality rights” Every person is equal under the law

6. Canada West 7 – Ontario Canada East 4 – Quebec, NS, NB Federal sys. Govt13 – Powers/ responsibilities divided b/w National and regional leves Shared powers Fathers of Confd. 2 – Creators of Canada’s Con. Ottawa 1 – Federal Government Base Why did Canada Adopt a Federal System of Government? Review Sheet 2-2: (p.141)

7. Prov. Cap. City 9– Prov. Government Base Section 91 5– Currency, Postal, Defence Jurisdiction3– Area of Authority Section 92 10 – Education, Health Care BNA Act 8 – Canada’s Constitution Municipal Gov’t12 – Agriculture, Immigration Residual Powers 6 – Leftover Powers

8. 1. Historically Canada had strong ties with Great Britainand maintains its system of Government. 2. Canada’s highest level of decision making is done in Parliament. 3. The Governor General represents the Queen in Canada. 4. The current monarch of Canada is Queen Elizabeth II and is our official head of State. 5. Canada’s monarch has very little Poweryet still is a part of our Tradition 6. The governor general opens Parliamentby reading from the Thrown and greeting foreign Dignitaries/Leaders 7. In a “democracy,” the Peoplehave a say n the decision making. What Are the Traditions of Our Parliamentary System? Review Sheet 2-3:(p.142)

9. 8. Direct democracy means that people have a say in every political decision. 9.Indirect/representative democracy means citizens Elect officials who act on their behalf when it comes to decision making. 10. Voting for or against a proposed government policy is called a Referendum. 11. Since Canada became a nation, the Federal government has had only 3 referendums, one of which was regarding CharlestownAccord. 12. Provinces and Localgovernmentscan also use referendums. 13. Newfoundland held a referendum in 1948 to determine weather… and Quebec held two to determine whether it should remain part of Canada.