Provincial Government Unit Review

Gr. 6 Social Studies

Why do we need provincial government?

Provincial Government provides services:

• Children’s services
• Health and Wellness (government uses tax money to pay for health services)
• Energy (resources such as oil and gas)
• Education
• Seniors and Community Support
• Tourism and Parks
• Agriculture and Food
• Sustainable Resources - Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (ESRD) protects the
province's air, land, water and biodiversity.
• Indigenous Relations

Provincial Government Makes Laws

MLA (Members of the Legislative Assembly) make laws.

• Law begins with a motion known as a bill.

How a Bill Becomes a Law

• MLA introduces a bill in the Legislative Assembly. This is called the first reading.
• Members of the Legislative Assembly and the public have a chance to study the bill. People may contact their MLA
or a Cabinet Minster to give their opinions about the bill.
• The Bill gets a second reading in the Legislative Assembly. MLA's debate the bill and then vote on it. If a majority
supports the bill, it is sent to a committee for further study and discussion. Changes may be made to the bill.
• The bill gets a third reading in the Legislative Assembly. Again, members may discuss and ask questions about it.
Then, MLAs vote on the bill again.
• If the bill is supported by the majority of MLAs, it is sent to the Lieutenant Governor to be signed. Then is becomes
an act or law.
*Information from chart received from Harding, J. C., Sears, A. (2008) Voices in Democracy: Action and Participation. (p.
133). Pearson Education Canada.

How is the Provincial Government Elected?

• Candidates represent political parties and run for positions in the Legislative Assembly during elections.

• Alberta has 87 voting districts and one MLA is elected for each district. These districts are also known as
constituencies.

• For a candidate to run for a political party they must have they must meet the following criteria:
o Be an eligible voter
o Get a form from Elections Alberta signed by at least 25 electors in their district

How Do People Vote?

First Stage • Go to polling station on election day

• Two people will be waiting at the polling station
 with the ballot box that has the same number as on
your voter information card – the poll clerk and the
deputy returning officer (DRO)
Second Stage • Hand voter information card to poll clerk and give
name and address
• Name is crossed off of list
• DRO gives folded ballot
• DRO also helps if you have trouble voting
Third Stage • Go behind voting screen (private, no one can see)
• Mark X beside name of candidate you choose
• Fold ballot so vote remains secret
Forth Stage • Bring folded ballot back to DRO
• Tears off back tab
• You put ballot in voting box

Role of Lieutenant Governor

• Canada is a representative democracy as well as a constitutional monarchy.

• Queens’s representative in the federal government is called the Governor General.

• Queen’s representative in the provincial government is called the Lieutenant Governor.

• Duties of the Lieutenant Governor:

o Sign bills passed by the Legislative Assembly in order for it to become a law
o Inviting leader of the party that wins the election to become premier
o Calls the legislature into session with a Royal Proclamation
o Opens new sessions in the Legislature by reading Speech from the Throne
o Closes the Legislative assemble when elections are called

Structure of Alberta Government

The Alberta Legislature

Lieutenant Governor, Queen’s Representative
Premier, leader of the government
Cabinet, responsible for departments
Legislative Assembly

Responsibilities of Cabinet Ministers

• Cabinet Ministers are MLAs chosen by the Premier. Cabinet Members are known as ministers and are in charge of
government departments that run services.
• Cabinet Minister’s responsibilities also include:
o Meeting with the premier to plan the actions that need to be taken and needs that need to be addressed in
the province.
o Create a budget (revenues and expenditures) for their government department.
o Research, write and vote on bills
o Work on committees about government actions and needs
o Continue to work as an MLA for their constituency
Image Retrieved from http://mrberrigan.com/sitebuilder/images/cabinetvsmlas-430x330.jpg

Role of an Opposition Member

An opposition member is an elected member of the Legislative Assembly who is not a member of the party in power.
• Responsible for studying, questioning and suggesting improvements for government actions and plans.

References:
Harding, J.C., Sears, A. (2008). Many Voices: Voices in Democracy Action and Participation. Pearson Education
Canada.