Lesson 3: Three Levels of Government

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• Lesson 3 Three Levels of Government

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Three Levels of Government

• Canada is a very large country with many
  different needs and interests.
• In order to support the needs of citizens, the
  government is structured into three levels
  federal, provincial and municipal.
• Each level has its own arrangement of elected and
  appointed officials, as well as a unique set of
  responsibilities.

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Federal

• The elected representative at the federal level
  is called a Member of Parliament (MP).
• The federal legislative body has 308 elected MPs.
• MPs debate and pass laws in the House of Commons
  in Ottawa (Parliament Hill).
• The leader of the government is called the prime
  minister.
• The Queen is represented by the governor general.

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Provincial

• The elected representative at the provincial
  level is called a Member of Provincial Parliament
  (MPP).
• The legislative body in Ontario has 107 elected
  MPPs.
• MPPs debate and pass laws in the Ontario
  Legislature at Queens Park in Toronto.
• The leader of the government is called the
  premier.
• The Queen is represented by the lieutenant
  governor.

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Municipal

• The elected representative at the municipal level
  is called a councillor or alderman.
• The leader of the government is called a mayor or
  reeve.
• The size of the council differs from city to
  town.
• Councillors debate and pass legislation in the
  council chambers (city hall/municipal office).

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Division of Responsibilities

• Federal National defence, trade, foreign
  policy, money, health and safety, immigration and
  citizenship.
• Provincial Health care, education, welfare,
  transportation within the province, justice,
  energy and the environment.
• Municipal Waste management, water and sewer,
  policing and protection, cultural facilities and
  libraries.

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Government Ministries

• The Government of Ontario is organized into
  departments called ministries (e.g., Ministry of
  Health and Long-Term Care, Ministry of Education)
  and each is in charge of one of the governments
  responsibilities.
• The premier appoints MPPs to head each Ministry
  of the Executive Council (cabinet).
• Each minister is in charge of one of the
  provincial responsibilities and acts as an
  advisor to the premier and the legislature in
  their area of expertise.

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Government of Ontario Ministries

• These are some of the ministries of the
  Government of Ontario
• Aboriginal Affairs
• Agriculture and Food
• Children and Youth Services
• Citizenship and Immigration
• Community and Social Services
• Community Safety and Correctional Services
• Education
• Energy
• Environment
• Finance
• Health and Long-Term Care
• Infrastructure
• Labour
• Natural Resources
• Training, Colleges and Universities
• Transportation

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Final Thoughts

• How does government affect your life?
• Which level of government affects your life the
  most?
• Would you consider working in government?