The-Government-and-Politics-of-Canada-加拿大-政治概况.ppt

Unit 16 The Government and Politics of Canada Historical Background Two major foreign influences: Britain and the United States Strong provincial governments were persuaded to join into the Canadian “confederation” under special favors (e.g. BC) Provincial Government Provincial government operates on the same model as the federal government at a lower level. Leader: Premier省总理 Legislative Assembly立法议会 Differences from Britain and America Freedom of speech and freedom of information are much more valued in contemporary Canada than in Britain Well-being and liberty of individuals sacrifices for the greater good of the community: guns Slogans: America: aspire to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”; Canada: found a nation based on “peace, order and good government” Central concern of Canadian policy-makers: find a workable balance between community and individual rights Reconcile the two communities of English-speaking Canada and French-speaking Canada Most Canadian politics is about finding a constitutional arrangement to satisfy the demands of Quebec and the rest of Canada. Structures of Government “Westminster-style” democracy: parliamentary democracy Monarchy: official head of state is the Queen; the Queen is Canada’s queen in her own right; representative of the Queen is a Governor General; ceremonial power Federation Ten provinces and three territories joined to form one country, each with their own government. Canada was the first political community to combine federalism with a British system of government; later applied to other areas in the British Commonwealth, notably in Australia, Malaysia, Nigeria and India Why British model is preferred to the American model Checks and balances Strength, order and authority Weak VS Strong central government Parliament A lower house: the House of Commons (300 seats) (representatives are voted by each electoral district) An upper house: the Senate (not elected, recommended by the Prime Minister, appo