Unit 2: Rights and Freedoms
Lesson 2: Canadian Constitution Law
Assignment 1:
Danya Amer
Item | Canadian Constitution | United States Constitution | |
Government Branches | Three branches work together to govern Canada: the executive, legislative and judicial branches (discussed with you) | The three branches of the U.S. Government are the legislative, executive, and judicial. A complete diagram of the branches of the U.S. (discussed with you) | |
Division of Power | In Canada, there is a concentration of power in the executive. Based on responsible government, the executive has a strong order to govern with the support of a majority in the House the Prime Minister, Premiers and Cabinet members speak in the House and must submit to a daily Question Period When the House is in session, question period provides the opportunity for the Cabinet to remain liable and responsible as it responds to the House's questions. | Presidents and Governors possess many powers, but are held in check by a balance of power by the legislative and judicial branches Nobody, even the President or Governors, or Cabinet members can appear in the House to debate a bill or respond to questions without an invitation from the legislators |
Legal System | Canada's legal system is based around the British common law tradition, and Canadians' legal rights are protected by a written constitution and a Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Laws that violate the Constitution can be overturned by Canadian courts, with the Supreme Court of Canada being the highest authority. No guns allowed | The U.S. court system is quite complicated. While the U.S. Constitution states that federal law overrules state laws where there is a problem between federal and state law, state courts are not lower in rank to federal courts. Rather they are two parallel sets of courts with different and often overlapping, jurisdiction. In many American jurisdictions, judges are elected. In some cases, the elections are partisan, where the nominee is associated with and supported by a political party. Others are not. Gun control is different, guns are allowed to have in the US. | |
Social/political Values | (discussed with teacher) | (Discussed with teacher) | |
Differences | Canada, juries are almost exclusively used for criminal cases. You either have to give your employee a reason why you're dismissing him, or give him notice. Same sex marriage is legal | juries often are used for non-criminal cases "employment at will" that is, an employee can be dismissed for no reason and with no notice. No same sex marriage |