Two questions need to be answered
Question one
The Canadian economy has been a success story over the years, even as other economies around the world were hit by recession. The capitalist system has helped raise the GDP and improve the living standards of citizens. A major contribution to this economic success is the labor and business sectors. Canada boasts one of the most affluent labor markets worldwide. The labor unions have a lot of influence on how employers behave and how employees are treated. Therefore, employees in Canada are protected by labor unions and laws. This makes employers to respect employees and pay them sufficiently. This contributes to the success of the national economy since there are high living standards and the government collects taxes.
Canada has a mixed economy comprising of both private and public sector ownership of resources. The government provides public goods such as development of infrastructure, funding education and child care. Firms and individuals pay taxes, which are used to fund these projects. The economy is successful because of the citizen friendly tax rules. The government charges 6% tax on any goods sold. This encourages private investment from within and without the country.
The country’s regional economies also have a variety of resources which contribute to the economic success. There are provinces that have a reputation for industrialization like Alberta, and others have natural gas and oil. Other regions are popular for mining, forestry, primary agriculture, tourism and livestock. These economic activities make the economy diversified and the country’s output increases. Furthermore, the country has an equalization policy where wealth is distributed to all parts of the country hence; equal national growth. Canada also shares warm relations with other world economies like USA hence; the country takes part in international trade that earns foreign currency.
Question two
The Canadian government system is divided into three parts; the municipal, provincial and federal government levels. Every level of government has its duties. The three levels of government work in harmony to ensure national cohesion and on issues such as immigration and healthcare. The three levels of government help in the distribution of wealth, service delivery and formulation and enforcement of policies.
The federal government is the country’s top level of governance. It comprises of elected federal members from every Canadian province. The members of parliament are elected by citizens. The majority political party forms the government, which is headed by a prime minister. The federal government is divided into three parts; the executive, judiciary and legislature. The legislature comprises of the Queen, the governor, the House of Commons and the senate. The executive comprises queen’s representative, the prime minister and the cabinet.
The federal government makes policies and oversees day to day governance in terms of national defence, finance and foreign affairs. This government also oversees taxation, trade, postal service, national heritage, criminal law and currency regulation.
The provincial government comprises of the legislature, judiciary and executive. The executive makes policies at this level. It is headed by the Queen’s representative, a Lieutenant Governor. The prime minister oversees provincial governments, ensuring that policies are developed and enforced. There are ministries that focus on individual sectors to ensure efficiency. The legislature makes laws at provincial level, which are then enforced. The judiciary interprets the law. The provincial government is responsible for education, social welfare, healthcare, infrastructure and provincial police.
Municipalities are the smallest units of government. They are local governments, and they differ in size depending on location and population size. They are headed by an elected mayor. They help solve issues that affect the local people. The municipal committees comprise of councilors and the mayor. This level of government is responsible for safety, utilities such as water, facilities, infrastructure and environmental welfare.
The political system works in a transparent manner where citizens elect leaders and hold them accountable. The citizens can communicate with their leaders by writing letters on in forums where they raise their complaints.
Question one
Why Canadian economy is a success
Good labor laws and labor unions
Private and public investment in business
Availability of resources
Good governance
International trade
Question two
Levels of government in Canada
The federal government
Oversees national policies
Foreign affairs
It is divided into the legislature, executive and judiciary
The provincial government has similar structure to the federal government
It focuses on issues affecting the province
The municipal government is headed by the mayor
