Social Studies 10 Lessons

By: Gen L

Lesson 1: What is Government?

What is Government?

• Governments create rules & manages services requiring common commitment, for common benefit.

  • Often services essential to all, or can't be effectively delivered privately.
  • (ex.) All members pay a portion of development & upkeep cost of water system or fire department.

How We Are Governed, Part 1

• In Canada, there are three levels of government:

  • Federal (national - Government of Canada, Ottawa)
  • Provincial (provinces - Government of BC, Victoria)
  • Municipal (local - City, Regional District, WFN)

• We choose representatives at each level.

Government Services

• People pay taxes to each level so the Government can provide services & regulations.

Examples Include:

• Defence, Healthcare, Roads
• Land Zoning, Criminal Code
• International Representation
• Currency (volatile)

How We Are Governed, Part 2

• Canada's Government is (often) described as:

  • A Representative Democracy (We elect leaders who make decisions on our behalf)
  • A Constitutional Monarchy (A monarch as Head of State, whose power is limited by a constitution)
  • A Federation (Collection of Local governments governed by a Central Government as a Nation)

Who Governs Us?

• At the National (Federal) Level:

  • King Charles III is our Head of State
    • Represented by the Govenor General (Mary Simons)
  • Our Prime Minister is the Head of Government

• At the Provincial Level:

  • The King is represented by a Lieutenant Govenor
  • Our Premier is the Head of Government.

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