CHV2O: Canadian Civics
Mr. Liu
Name: ___________________
Section:____________
Branches of Government
In Canada, as in all democratic countries, the government is divided into three branches. Each of the
branches has a different duty:
Legislative: in charge of making laws
Executive: in charge of running the country and enforcing the laws
Judicial: in charge of deciding who broke the law and the punishment that corresponds
Take the following example:
Mr. Liu has given the class a work period. Unfortunately, many students were unfocused and
productive work was not being done. Many students were socializing, walking around the class,
and distracting one another. Mr. Liu announces that there shall be no more talking or moving
freely in the classroom for the remainder of the period.
This is an example of Mr. Liu exercising his legislative power. He made a rule: “There will be no more
talking or moving around in the classroom.”
The class was quiet and on task for a few minutes, until a brave person decides to challenge the
new rule. This person turns to the students behind him and started to talk loudly about a
popular video game. Mr. Liu tells the student to stop talking or he’ll have to face the
consequences.
This time, Mr. Liu used his executive power. He carried out the rule that he made earlier in the class by
telling the student to stop talking.
Sometime later, another student sitting close to you started talking. Mr. Liu turns to you and
tells you to stop talking, to which you reply, “I wasn’t talking. It was little Johnny who was
talking.” With the entire class looking on, Mr. Liu will have to decide if the noise was caused by
you or by Johnny.
Mr. Liu is using his judicial power. He has to judge the guilt / innocence of you and/or Johnny. He also
has to decide on the consequences that will be faced by the guilty party. Should it be a verbal warning
or a trip to the principal’s office?
The three branches of government exist in all three levels of government (federal, provincial, and
municipal).
Structure of the Federal Government
Structure of the Provincial Government
Executive
Legislative
Provincial
Legislature
Sovereign
Lieutenant
Governor
Premier
Cabinet
Ministries &
Civil Service
Read the following scenarios and decide which BRANCH of government is performing the action.
(Executive, Legislative, or Judicial)
1. Judge sentences youth to one year.
2. At the recommendations of the Prime Minister, the Governor-General calls an election.
3. Police R.I.D.E. program (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) nabs 16 impaired drivers.
4. The Minister of Finance introduces the federal budget to the House of Commons.
5. Ontario Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) approve new driving laws.
6. The Minister of Defense announces the need for new military equipment.
7. Jury reaches a decision – Guilty.
8. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources to crack down on illegal fishing.
9. The Senate approves the Goods and Services Tax (G.S.T.).
10. The Governor-General signs a bill into law.
List the LEVEL (Federal, Provincial, Municipal) and BRANCH (Executive, Legislative, Judicial) of
government responsible for each of the activities listed below.
1.
The Supreme Court decides that referendum results will be binding on all Canadians provinces.
FEDERAL, JUDICIAL
2. The mayor proposes that local garbage removal be reduced to once every ten days. This proposal
passes through city council.
3. The education minister proposes to cabinet colleagues that French be required until Grade 12.
4. The government decides to make all men aged 18 – 40 perform one year of military service.
5. A motorist is fined by the police for speeding on a provincial highway.
6. The Prime Minister decides to change cabinet ministers.
7. Canada declares war. The declaration is ratified by a special vote of Parliament.
8. The drinking and driving ages are both raised.
9. A class action suit is brought on behalf of all individuals who have taken an approved drug and
subsequently become ill.
10. The premier proposes changes to the budget.