Grade 6 - Provincial Government
The grade 6 students are creating RSA ANIMATE and COMMON CRAFT videos stepping us through the 3 levels of government: Local, Provincial, and Federal. Some groups will be examining each level through a common lens, such as power, participation, or responsibility (among others). Other students decided to just share what each level is in an engaging and interesting way!
Below is information and links about each level. Students, if you find extra links, please add them to our digital resources by filling in this FORM!
Below is information and links about each level. Students, if you find extra links, please add them to our digital resources by filling in this FORM!
Who do we elect? (PG 134-135, 147-148)
We elect a Premier and an MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) to represent an area of the province (A Constituency) on provincial decision making. Each MLA is on a political party or runs as an independant. Currently, there are 4 major political parties in Alberta:
-Progressive Conservatives
-Wild Rose
-Liberals
-NDP (New Democrat Party)
Each party has a leader. If that party wins a majority of seats in the Legislative Assembly that party leader becomes the Premier. The Premier chooses members of his/her cabinet. These are people that are in charge of departments (PG 130). Some MLAs become the "Minister of Education, Minister of Environment, and Minister of Employment" for example (PG 147).
MLAs have lots of responsibilities, but they can be summarized as "serving the needs of their constituency (and) taking part in government" (PG 148). I'm not going to write their responsibilities here, but there is a great visual on page 148 in your textbook.
Our MLA is Mo Amery.
Our Premier is Alison Redford.
-Progressive Conservatives
-Wild Rose
-Liberals
-NDP (New Democrat Party)
Each party has a leader. If that party wins a majority of seats in the Legislative Assembly that party leader becomes the Premier. The Premier chooses members of his/her cabinet. These are people that are in charge of departments (PG 130). Some MLAs become the "Minister of Education, Minister of Environment, and Minister of Employment" for example (PG 147).
MLAs have lots of responsibilities, but they can be summarized as "serving the needs of their constituency (and) taking part in government" (PG 148). I'm not going to write their responsibilities here, but there is a great visual on page 148 in your textbook.
Our MLA is Mo Amery.
Our Premier is Alison Redford.
How can we participate? (Pg 149)
Talk, talk, talk, talk! Write and share, don't be quiet! Great ideas are on page 149.
How are laws passed? (PG 133)
1
Laws start with an MLA introducing a bill in the Legislative Assembly, which is the "First Reading". First Reading means that this is the first time all of the MLAs have a chance to look at and review the proposed bill. The general public get to check it out, too. Feedback to the MLA comes in a variety of forms, whether it is from the public writing or phoning, from other MLAs discussing it with them, or from conversations in the Legislative Assembly.
It is debated by the MLAs and they work together to make it fit all of the constituents across the province. Changes are made to the bill, the same way changes are made to your work when a fresh pair of eyes look at it!
2
The bill gets a second reading, later, and is voted on by all of the MLAs. If they give it the go-ahead, it is looked at closely by a committee. Once again, they want it to be perfect so they change it up and make sure it is what is best for the people of Alberta. It's discussed lots at this point, and changes are ongoing.
3
The bill is brought back again for a third reading. This is the last chance for everyone to debate and discuss it, and to make the appropriate changes. The MLAs vote (their vote represents you!).
4
If it is supported by a majority of MLAs, it is sent to the Lieutenant Governor (who represents the Queen of England) who signs it. It then becomes law!
Review this process on page 133 in your textbook. They present the information in a clear way with arrows and green boxes. So you know it's good.
Laws start with an MLA introducing a bill in the Legislative Assembly, which is the "First Reading". First Reading means that this is the first time all of the MLAs have a chance to look at and review the proposed bill. The general public get to check it out, too. Feedback to the MLA comes in a variety of forms, whether it is from the public writing or phoning, from other MLAs discussing it with them, or from conversations in the Legislative Assembly.
It is debated by the MLAs and they work together to make it fit all of the constituents across the province. Changes are made to the bill, the same way changes are made to your work when a fresh pair of eyes look at it!
2
The bill gets a second reading, later, and is voted on by all of the MLAs. If they give it the go-ahead, it is looked at closely by a committee. Once again, they want it to be perfect so they change it up and make sure it is what is best for the people of Alberta. It's discussed lots at this point, and changes are ongoing.
3
The bill is brought back again for a third reading. This is the last chance for everyone to debate and discuss it, and to make the appropriate changes. The MLAs vote (their vote represents you!).
4
If it is supported by a majority of MLAs, it is sent to the Lieutenant Governor (who represents the Queen of England) who signs it. It then becomes law!
Review this process on page 133 in your textbook. They present the information in a clear way with arrows and green boxes. So you know it's good.
What do they spend money on? (PG 131)
A huge amount of the provincial spending goes to Education and Healthcare. The other major areas (that you can check out on page 131) are Transportation, Agriculture (farming and ranching), and Social Services.
Most of their money comes from taxes on industry and on resource development (think about the Alberta Oil Sands). Their expenses are usually around $28 or $29 million!
Most of their money comes from taxes on industry and on resource development (think about the Alberta Oil Sands). Their expenses are usually around $28 or $29 million!
Links
Local and Provincial Governments Working TogetherThis is an old-looking video, but a good one from LearnAlberta.ca. Because it s from Learn Alberta, it is likely that it will only work onsite, at a CBE School...
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