God & Government
Who truly rules?
The triune God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) governs the world and leads it to the return of Christ.
What is government? Provide a definition.
It is the institution or group of people that takes care of and manages a country or group of people. They make the laws and rules for everyone else.
This type of government exists when a nation has no government or leader at all.
Anarchy
Which branch of the federal government is responsible for creating laws.
Legislative
Who gives Royal Assent?
The Governor General (of th Lieutenant Governor in Ontario).
What are the 3 levels of government?
Federal (all Canada)
Provincial & Territorial (e.g. Ontario)
Municipal (e.g. Town of Orangeville, Township of Amaranth)
Why do we need rulers or a government?
Simple Answer: SIN
The world and mankind are subjected to frustration as a consequence of sin.
What does legislate mean?
To create or pass laws
This is a form of government with a ruler who inherits the position, rules for life, and holds all the power.
Absolute monarchy
Which branch of the federal government is responsible for enforcing the laws (making sure people follow the laws)?
Judicial
What do we call a law before it's made?
Bill
What is an upper tier and a lower tier municipal government?
Is it possible to have a perfect government?
What makes a good government?
There is no good or perfect government - all mankind is sinful.
If there was a good government, it would follow God's laws perfectly.
If two countries have a conflict with eachother, what two ways could they do to resolve it that doesn't involve waging war?
1. COMPROMISE - Talk about it and come up with a plan both people can agree on.
2. MEDIATION - Ask someone else to help you decide what is fair.
The supreme power is held by ALL the people and it is used by them DIRECTLY. Each person votes on every law or issue.
Direct Democracy
Which branch of the federal government is responsible for running the country?
Executive
Who sees a bill first - senators or MPs?
Bills start in the House of Commons. Most are proposed by MPs.
Who is the prime minister of Canada?
Justin Trudea
Where is your citizenship?
I am a citizen of Canada. Our citizenship is also in heaven. (Philippians 3:20)
If you could create 1 law for your country what would it be? Why?
Love your neighbour.
Jesus taught us that the root of the law is to love God and your neighbour. If you do everything out of love for your neighbour then you wouldn't need hundreds of laws.
Dictatorship
Cabinet (that's the group of people)
Cabinet Ministers (they are also MPs, too)
What is Royal Assent?
Royal Assent means that a bill receives official approval from the monarch (king/queen) and becomes a law.
Who is the premier of Ontario?
Doug Ford
What does God's word teach us about government? (5 things)
1. God is the ruler of all. All nations are subject to Him. God blesses and punishes/disciplines the nations as He sees fit, according to their deeds.
2. We need government because this world has fallen into SIN, so God set up government over us for our good.
3. God grants authority to the government. Their job is to use laws to restrain and punish evil and promote good. The government may use discipline (the sword) to punish wrongdoers and to protect what is good.
4. The role of the government isn't just to protect the public, but also so that God's church may do its work and increase.
5. God commands us to listen to the government. We must obey, pay taxes to, and respect them. We must obey them in all things that agree with God's Word. If they do not obey God's word, then we must not follow them in wrongdoing. We must pray for the government that they may glorify Him in all their work.
6. The government can never fully or permanently fix all the wrong in this world because it is all rooted in sin. We need a Saviour!!!
Why do you need some kind of government? (3 things!!!)
1. Sin - Our hearts are completely evil and we don't treat our neighbour with love as we should.
2. CHAOS - If everyone did whatever they wanted, then thins won't go well. We need to work as a team. You need a leader to take charge.
3. ORDER - Someone needs to uphold the law, and protect good and punish evil because of sin.
Voters choose representatives to act in their best interests.
Indirect democracy OR representative democracy OR republic
Describe the House of Commons. Who is in it? Where do they meet? What do they do?
The House of Commons consists of all the elected MPs (including the Prime Minister).
They meet in the House of Commons, the Green Chamber.
also known as the Lower House
What do we call the young people who bring notes and water in the House of commons?
Parliamentary Page
What things is the municipal government responsible for?
Garbage, Libraries, Water & Sewage, Transit, Local roads, local parks, recreation (arena, pool, soccer fields), police (e.g. Toronto Police, local town police)
If you were starting a country, which type of government would you choose? Who?
Answers will vary, and any answer would be accepted as long as it can explain, with good reasoning, a form of government that would show love to their neighbour.
Examples -
Indirect democracy. It is efficient (not everybody has to vote which would take too much time), but it is relatively fair because the people can choose their government.
Absolute Monarchy - I'd love to be the king and make all the rulers for everyone. I would make sure that I'm fair and serve the people, showing love to them, rather than lording it over them.
What type of government does Canada have? Explain.
Constitutional Monarchy & Parliamentary Democracy
We have a King whose power is limited by the constitution. His role is only ceremonial; he has no actual power.
We have a parliament that is elected by the people. The leader of the party with the most votes becomes the Prime Minister.
Describe the Senate. Who is in it? Where do they meet? What do they do?
- meet in the Senate Chamber
- part of the Legislative Branch
- made up of Senators, appointed by the Governor General, but chosen by the Prime Minister
- not elected, but appointed for life until the age of 75
Which languages are used in the House of Commons?
English & French
What things is the provincial government responsible for?
Healthcare, education (schools), licenses (fishing, drivers), provincial highway roads, provincial parks, police (e.g. Ontario Provincial Police)
Who is the most powerful person in the country? Why?
The Prime Minister. They get to choose their Cabinet (that run the country), the new Supreme Court Justices (who will uphold the laws, for the rest of their life, until the age of 75) and the Senate (who help pass laws, for the rest of their life, until the age of 75).
How do you become the premier? or Prime Minister?
The premier is in Ontario at the provincial level. The prime minister is in Canada at the federal level.
1. You need to run in an election and get elected as a Member of Parliament (federal) or Member of Provincial Parliament (provincial).
2. You need to be the leader of the political party that wins the election and gets the most seats in parliament.
What things is the federal government responsible for?
Defense, international trade, road (Trans Canada Highway), national parks (Parks Canada), police (Royal Canadian Mounted Police), immigration, currency (money)