Study Notes

Referendum – allows eligible voters to vote on an issue or law proposed by the government.  It is similar to the direct democracy practiced in ancient Athens.

Why Do We Need a Provincial Government? 

•To take care of the people of each province and protects their interests.  Ie)  In Alberta, wealth that comes from oil and gas resources today needs to be managed by the provincial government to benefit you and future generations.

Services provided by our provincial government.

•Children’s Services

•Health and Wellness – A LARGE portion of money spent by our provincial government goes to cover the cost of health care.

•Energy

•Education

•Seniors and Community Support

•Tourism and Parks

•Agriculture and Food

•Sustainable Resources – Ie)  Alberta manages oil and gas

Educating Albertans

•All children in Alberta learn the same curriculum

•Education Department also gives money to local school boards, supports students with special needs and certifies teachers.

Subsidies – funds that the government provides to those who need help to participate in a program.  Paying these subsidies where needed fit in with the democratic values of fairness and equity!

Bill – is a proposed, or suggested law.  A bill is introduced in the Legislative Assembly.  This is called the first reading.  MLA’s and the public have a chance to study the bill and make suggestions or express opinions about the suggested law.  The bill then gets a second reading in the Legislative Assembly.  If the majority support the suggested law, further discussion and changes may be made to it.  Then, the bill gets a third reading.  Then, the MLAs vote on the bill again.  If the bill is supported by the majority of the MLAs, it is sent to the Lieutenant Governor to be signed.  Then it becomes an act or law.

Act – is a bill that has been passed by the Legislative Assembly and signed by the Lieutenant Governor.  An act is also known as a law.

Cabinet Minister – an elected representative who is in charge of a provincial government department.

Political Party – an organization made up of people who have similar ideas about how to govern.  Ie) Progressive Conservative, Liberal, New Democratic Party, Alberta Alliance

Constituencies – Alberta is divided into different constituencies for federal elections.  This division is similar to the ‘wards’ that our city of Calgary is divided into.  You learned this in a previous chapter.

Constituent –

Becoming a Candidate

•Party members in a constituency have a nomination meeting to select a candidate to run for their party

•Candidates must be eligible voters

•Candidates must get a form from Elections Alberta signed by at least 25 electors in their district

•A candidates goal is to be elected by the voters of his/her constituency

•Candidates most convince the voters they are the best person to represent them and their party will do the best job of running the province

Voting

1.At the polling station, find poll clerk and deputy returning officer at the ballot box that matches the number on your voter information card.

2.Hand your information card to these people, they’ll check your name off and give you a ballot

3.Go behind voting screen and mark an X on the candidate of your choice.   Fold your ballot so your vote remains secret.

4.Take folded ballot to the DRO, they will remove the black tab without opening your ballot and return it to you to drop in the ballot box.

Constitutional Monarchy – a system of government in which a monarch, that is, a king or queen, is the head of state.  In Canada, the Prime Minister is the head of Government.

Lieutenant Governor – The Queen’s representative in the federal government is the Governor General.  Her representative in Alberta’s government is the Lieutenant Governor. 

            Duties:

·       inviting the leader of the party that wins the election to become premier

·       issuing the Royal Proclamation that calls the Legislature into session 


·       reading the Speech from the Throne to open new sessions of the Legislature 


·       dissolving or closing the Legislative Assembly so elections can be held

Speech from the Throne – describes what the government plans to do during the upcoming session of the Legislature.

How is the Alberta Government Structured?

The Alberta Legislature

Lieutenant Governor, Queens representative

Premier – leader of the government

Cabinet – responsible for departments in the government

Legislative Assembly- MLA's 

Cabinet Ministers Roles

•Minister of Education

•Minister of Environment

•Minister of Employment

•Minister of Immigration

•Ministers meet with the premier to discuss what should be done

•Work with the people in his/her department to create a budget with revenue (money coming in) and expenditures (money being spent)

•Researching, writing and voting on bills

•Working on committees with MLAs

•Serving as MLAs for their constituency

Responsibilities of MLAs

•Serving the needs of the people in their constituency

•Taking part in government

•Helps constituents solve problems with governmental services

•Meet with specific interest groups working on issues such as the environment, child care etc.

Opposition Member – is an elected member of the Legislative Assembly who is not a member of the party in power.  They are responsible for studying and questioning the government’s plans and actions and proposing improvements.

How Can People Participate at the Provincial Level?

•Voting in referendums

•Expressing opinions about bills

•Becoming a candidate for the Legislature,

•Contacts MLAs about concerns

•Voting in elections

Perspective – when you express your point of view on an issue or topic, you give your opinion about it.  Sometimes a person expresses a point of view that a group of people share too.  This is called a perspective.

Premier - Leader of the party in charge