Governments of the US and Canada

Comparing Canadian and American Government Systems

Introduction: Two Systems
of Government

●Canada is a constitutional monarchy

●United States is a republic

●Both have democratic legislatures (law
making bodies like the Senate & House of
Representatives)

●What do you know about these systems of
government?

Provincial vs State
Legislatures

●Canadian provinces have unicameral
legislatures (one law making body)

●Most U.S. states have bicameral
legislatures (except Nebraska)

●What does unicameral mean? Can you guess which has more members?

The Role of Premier

●Premier is head of provincial government (remember provinces are like Canada’s states)

●Elected member of legislature

●Usually leader of majority party (party in power)

●How is this different from a U.S. governor?

Appointment of the Premier

●Appointed by Lieutenant Governor (King's representative)

●Similar to U.S. governor but also in legislature

●No veto power over legislation (laws/etc. That are passed)

●Why do you think the premier doesn't have veto power?

Royal Assent

●Lieutenant Governor can refuse "Royal
Assent" to bills

●Similar to veto (not signing a bill) but rarely
used

●Last refusal was in 1945

●Why do you think this power is rarely
used?

Federalism: A Tale of Two Approaches

●U.S. founded as decentralized (less organized) federation of
states (more power given to states than in Canada’s provinces)

●Canada emphasized more centralized federal system (more power to national government)

●How might these different approaches affect governance?

Constitutional Powers

●U.S. Constitution lists federal powers, rest
of powers to states

●Canadian Constitution lists provincial
powers, the rest to federal government

●Which system do you think gives more
power to states/provinces?

Evolution of Powers

●U.S. courts have generally expanded federal (national) powers over time

●Canadian courts have expanded provincial powers

●Why do you think these changes occurred?

Similarities and
Differences

●Both have democratically elected legislatures

●Both debate and enact laws

Emerged from different historical contexts (backgrounds); Canada kept a British government system, while the U.S. used it as inspiration, but made it unique

●How do you think these differences impact
citizens?

Conclusion: Unique Systems, Common Goals

●Both systems aim for effective governance

●Each has unique features shaped by history

●Understanding differences helps appreciate both systems

●What other questions do you have about these systems?

Multiple Choice

What is the main legislative body in Canada?

• Congress

• Parliament

• Senate

• House of Representatives

Multiple Choice

How many houses are there in the Canadian Parliament?

• One

• Two

• Three

• Four

Multiple Choice

The House of Commons is a part of which country's legislative system?

• United States

• Canada

• Both A and B

• Neither A nor B

Multiple Choice

In the United States, the Senate is part of the ______.

• A) Executive Branch

• B) Judicial Branch

• C) Legislative Branch

• D) None of the above.

Multiple Choice

Who is the head of government in Canada?

• President

• Prime Minister

• Governor General

• Speaker

Multiple Choice

What type of government does Canada have?

• Republic

• Constitutional Monarchy

• Dictatorship

• Oligarchy

Multiple Choice

Which U.S. state does not have a bicameral legislature?

• California

• Texas

• Nebraska

• New York

Multiple Choice

What does unicameral mean?

• One law-making body

• Two law-making bodies

• Three law-making bodies

• No law-making body

Multiple Choice

Fill in the blank: Canadian provinces have _______ legislatures.

• A) Bicameral

• B) Unicameral

• C) Tricameral

Multiple Choice

What is the role of a Premier in the government?

• Head of provincial government

• Head of federal government

• Head of municipal government

• Head of state government

Multiple Choice

The power to refuse 'Royal Assent' is similar to a ____.

• veto

• approval

• amendment

• suggestion

Multiple Choice

What happens to a bill if the President/Prime Minister/Premier/Governor VETOES it?

• it becomes a Law

• It is rejected

Multiple Choice

When was the last time 'Royal Assent' was refused?

• 1945

• 1950

• 1960

• 1970

Multiple Choice

How might the different approaches to federalism (national government power) in the U.S. and Canada affect governance (how they govern)?

• They lead to similar government structures.

• They result in different national government structures.

• They have no impact on national government.

• They make governing more difficult.

Multiple Choice

Understanding differences between systems helps to ______ both systems.

• Criticize

• Appreciate

• Ignore

• Simplify