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Democratic Governments
Legislaturemembers elected
in free & open elections
Executivepower restricted by constitutionneeds legislature to pass laws
Judiciaryno executive interference
Democratic Government
Legislatures legitimize the policies of the executive.
Members of Parliament• Constituency responsibilities• Legislative duties – voting, can introduce private member’s bills
• The majority of MPs are backbenchers
Paul DewarMP Ottawa Centre(NDP)
Royal Galipeau MP
Ottawa Orleans
(Conservative)
David McGuinty MP Ottawa South
(Liberal)
Legislative Process
Royal Ascent
Third Reading
Committee Stage/Followed by Report Stage
Second Reading
First Reading (Senate)
Third Reading
Committee Stage/Followed by Report Stage
Second Reading
First Reading (Commons)
Types of Bills
• Senate (start with an S)• Commons (start with a C)• Government/Private Members (and Private)
Majority/Minority Parliaments
• A majority parliament occurs when one party wins over 50% of the seats in the House of Commons and forms the government (controls the political executive)
• A minority parliament occurs when one party wins more seats than any other party and forms the government but does not hold a majority of seats
Party Discipline
• In Canada, Members of Parliament are generally required to vote along party lines
• The party whip ensures that MPs know how to vote on a bill
• MPs could be disciplined for voting against their party
Committees
Former Prime Minister Mulroney before a Parliamentary Committee
Legislative function
Conducting Studies
Fusion of Powers
• In Canada the Executive and Parliament are linked by the Prime Minister and cabinet
• The Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers simultaneously sit in both the Executive and House of Commons
• In Canada, because of party discipline and fusion of power, the Prime Minister is very powerful in a majority government