Rick Mercer Report: Canada Explained.

[@leerman22]

I learned more about my government than any civics class in high school.

[@jocolope]

Lot of truth in comedy.

[@jauzihalwa]

Everything is True!!! God Save The Queen!!!

[@jauzihalwa]

I am!

[@TheSensfan09]

+christophe brissette I love the Queen and I was born here in Canada, are you going to try to kick me out also? You would fail piece of shit.

[@BrowneSound]

God Save The Queen!!!

[@saushacroft3772]

man if my history teacher would have been funny I actualy would have payed attention

[@JoseVargas-yr6om]

He needs to come back to TV. Makes the time go by fast with laughter. Right now that is the best medicine for all of Canada. Thanks, Rick

[@RinneOlivia]

if my social 30 teacher just played us this video that would have been great

[@stevenallen512]

OH MY GOD LOOKING AT THIS NOW BRINGS SO MUCH BACK AFTER THAT DAMN ELECTION........ Harper... *sigh* still can't beleve he was re elected. At least we are rid of him now!!!

[@omelfilip]

I lost it at "being on hold by Rogers" that is so true.

[@PatrickLongworth]

Great teaching video by Rick...as far as the Conservatives ever winning another election, never mind a majority, if it happens (I hope it doesn't) then maybe there are a few Canadians who might need to be brought up on charges of treason?

[@13Fayt13]

this is why i love rick mercer. he makes it funny yet informative

[@dmitriliu5777]

This guy needs a medal.

[@tobinbryan]

thanks to this i got an 86 on my canadian studies exam thanks rick.

[@Purluc]

I love Rick Mercer commentaries.

[@acrosby2117]

It's coming up to 2015 and we are bumbling along nicely - still experiencing technical difficulties with Parliament, Stats Canada, the environment and the economy.

[@HIBYE-zd7zi]

God save the queenn. We support you. Rick Mercer is the best broadcaster in Canada.

[@SanaSamaha]

Very informative. Thank you, Rick Mercer.

[@momzilla9491]

This was awesome. It's now almost 2018. We forget what happened in our governments. I forgot that former PM Steven Harper almost became a Joe Who! Thanks Rick and Civilnuts for this reminder that elected governments have no problem pulling the wool over our eyes!

[@RenardeBlanche]

Actually, "God save the queen" is still officially our royal anthem, but we don't make our kids learn it in schools anymore, and there aren't many occasions where it's sung. Elizabeth II's role as queen of Canada is completely unrelated to her titles in other countries. If Britain were to have a revolution tomorrow and declare their prime minister a president, she could move to Canada and it wouldn't change a thing about our government. (How we'd react to this is another matter.)

[@JudythJ60]

And this was three years ago. God save the country.

[@johnsmith-tc2qn]

We are independent from England , we are a sovereign country.

[@dougayers5441]

i live in Detroit and live in downtown. and l love canada!!

[@mattdias6689]

Thank you from BC, Canada BTW I love the USA

[@dougayers5441]

You welcome from Detroit 😍

[@yourcomrade6847]

majority but not all....the downtown is somewhat lively because its the center of activity.

[@CDNSpartan]

Thank you From Alberta, Canada

[@COOL_CANADIAN]

Matthew Walsh edmonton

[@juliej8184]

I love this guy

[@platypusbuk]

thank you Rick

[@sarahlee901]

This is a great easy and funny way to learn about the workings of Canadian government. I wish Mercer was my prof... Wait. Queen's can't afford to pay him..

[@sijiachen]

I actually learned a lot. All that summer civics really goes in one ear and out the other when Mr Messere is teaching it. BTW Canadian

[@amberistratton]

I Love rick mercer!!!! That's Canadian talent right there!!!

[@40thCapeRifles]

"...it couldn't be that dude." LOVE that line!

[@Rebailu]

Man, I wish he was around when I was in the ninth grade and learned this stuff. I slept through every class back then.

[@spoopyiz]

he always smacks steven in the face! YOU ROCK DUDE!!

[@Grannyamyice]

i learned more today than ever in social class

[@SpiderRiderKya]

Suddenly Canadian politics makes SENSE now.

[@Lindor15]

I like how he keeps slapping Harper's face with the pointer. Very satisfying.

[@duffy31311]

"My health, My Choice", Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams, on why he chose the United States for all his healthcare needs.

[@vmwindustries]

What a great video!

[@Teeebs]

"No, it couldn't be that dude." LOL

[@ElementBoy27]

You sir just made yourself a lifelong friend :D

[@Meghan.Kirkland]

We watched this video on my first day of history of human rights :P

[@grantcampbell8843]

"It could be this dude or it could be this dude or it could be no it couldn't be that dude!! " lol haha

[@dontaskmeplz123]

Well, I've lived in Canada for 39 years and finally understand how Parliament works.

[@inuysha360]

Wow I learned a lot and I'm Canadian!

[@ROldford]

Was James Moore basically the Ralph Wiggum of the CPC?

[@EvotalKraeto]

WHY was theMeisterize's comment voted down? Can ANYONE give a good reason as to why we should keep the Queen of England as the head of state? It's such a blatantly stupid idea-we're supposed to be a democracy but have an unelected, hell even unappointed monarch with serious power over us. Harper would be long gone if Parliament hadn't been prorogued.

[@LadyOfTheRain]

As a Canadian, I'm kind of embarrassed by how much I actually learned from this video...

[@JohnDoe-ru1vp]

>>>>>>>Minister and his Government - The Queen can choose and appoint all judges, Councillors, officers of state, etc. - The Queen may initiate criminal proceedings, and she alone can bestow a pardon - The Queen may refuse the Royal Assent - The Queen may refuse to dissolve Parliament when requested by the Prime Minister

[@MétisPagan]

Beerrunner81, we actually got indepence from England in 1867.

[@Carolinelefe]

We didn't get independence, we are still technically British subjects. We did, however repatriated the Constitution back in 1982. 1867 was the British North America Act when we stopped being a colony and became a country.

[@PrincessZoey]

No British Subjects title ended in 1948 we all became Canadians official in that year

[@alexcentury2166]

I wish I was Canadian...

[@tbagurmam]

Well you sir are granted many freedoms due to are attachment to the commonwealth, most importantly the freedom to relocate...good day

[@SynesthesiaDubstep]

As a Canadian, I agree.

[@shannonamaadar7963]

I gotta say, yes I would prefer a government to look after its people via spending money on social issues. Happy healthy people is a happy healthy economy..... and the only reason Harper has a majority is because the only people voting are people with corporate interests. We need to stand up and make change people. Enough lies and embezzling from the Conservative MPs, lets make a real difference in this country!!

[@joshuayonathan5373]

The Governor General is not above our PM. The GG is appointed by the queen because they represent her. It wouldn't make sense for the representative of the queen to be voted by the people of Canada.

[@jameswillmus600]

Could be worse, you could be an American like me who gets a shitty education and the country is seemingly ran by people who could not care less about the average person despite being directly elected to congress by those same people.

[@joyfuflower]

Clearly he didn't google anything if he thought we get arrested every time we protest.

[@FoxBatinaHat]

There are 308 (338 in next elections) seats in the parliament. Who becomes the prime minister is the 'leader' of the party that gains the most seats. Those seats are determined by a 'Riding's' general population. For example, there are 4 ridings in the city of Ottawa (pop 1.2 M). Only 2 in Toronto, they are separating Toronto into more ridings to address pop. distribution in the city. This way each riding has around 90-250k people represented in Canada for each region/city. Represent!!!

[@waytomuchsparetime]

"charts were held upside down" I lost it when he said that.

[@emmatter]

hahaha...that picture of John Baird is 100% accurate.

[@EnergeticBanana]

I like how an election was forced because there was a non-confidence vote against the party in power, Steven Harper's Conservatives and how Canada re-elects him as Prime Minster with a majority. The MPs lost faith in the government and yet he continues to be there... Politics, it makes sense.

[@JohnDoe-ru1vp]

The monarchy of Canada is the core of both Canada's federalism and its Westminster-style parliamentary democracy, being the foundation of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the Canadian government and each provincial government

[@yeezul]

Actually, you'll can't protest in Montreal anymore due to a bylaw. Look into it.

[@pawandeepgrewal23]

Also, I'm pretty sure America has attracted much more international condemnation than Canada ever has

[@pablohthegreat]

As a matter of fact, we have two anthems: The Royal Anthem, "God Save The Queen" and the National Anthem "O Canada"; The former is less common. personally, I believe that "The Maple Leaf Forever" should be our national anthem.

[@Jwestcott5000]

Only the parts that deserve respect.

[@NoLeadsEnt]

Monarchy of Canada: "Per the Canadian constitution, the responsibilities of the sovereign and/or governor general include summoning and dismissing parliament, calling elections, and appointing governments. Further, Royal Assent and the royal sign-manual are required to enact laws, letters patent, and orders in council"

[@vmwindustries]

England doesn't do shit unless we tell them too. It's just an outside opinion when someone fucks up

[@HondoTrailside]

The Queen of England is not the head of state of Canada. She is also the Queen of Canada and 13 other states. The Queen of Canada is currently the Canadian head of state.

[@multidimensional1]

they're on our soil a little more often since harper renewed ties with them! and we foot the bill, over and over. the Canadian gov. recently made an enormous payment the the house of windsor to the tune of 150 billion dollars, why? I don't know... They live on our backs, and quite frankly, I'm sick to death of it...

[@joshuayonathan5373]

The Governor General has no power in Canada. It's position is just symbolic and to represent our small relationship to Britain. The Governor General has to sign laws to be passed whether he/she likes it or not. They are not in a position of power where they can decline laws approved by the Federal Government.

[@andrewgodly5739]

We don't really care how it works because we don't really have much influence in it. If everyone voted for a certain party, especially if the party is a bit less prevalent, there is just a chance it will win and it may take a few elections for the party to become even prevalent

[@Clessidra123]

@olivierlar Actually when you vote, you do vote for a person in particular. The MP...

[@TheRevolutionariesEK]

We are... As per the Constitution Act, 1867, Canada is a constitutional monarchy, wherein the role of the reigning sovereign is both legal and practical, but not political. The Queen cannot command us around.

[@Darkstar987]

I would not worry, the entire British side of Canadian politics (Queen, governor general) is overwhelmingly traditional. The GG is even Canadian now...

[@yvettefoto]

Once, when I got busted for possession of pot the charge read "Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II vs. Keith _______ possession of a controlled substance schedule II" or close enough. It actually said The Queen vs. Me. If she could get her rich ass over to Canada I'd plead guilty or I'd smoke a joint with her.

[@charango123quena7]

You might as well have written Canada and Australia explained...

[@joshuayonathan5373]

They never use it because we don't allow it. Have you heard of the King Byng crisis? Long story short PM Mackenzie King was pissed off that GG Byng wouldn't call an election, so he got the support of the people of Canada and forced him to call it. After that Mackenzie King made it clear to the future GG that their position is symbolic and they have no right to interfere with Canadian affairs.

[@Sweetyfashonista]

Stephen Harper, Reform Party, Calgary West...that is what it says on the sign.

[@pyschogambitable]

that is only half the problem, the other half is the ignorant folk who think just because he got voted in again, "well, my vote didn't make a difference last time, so I'm not even going to bother going out to vote this time."

[@abneetgrewal696]

i don't understand I thought Queen Elizabeth was not in charge of Canada anymore she just comes to visit

[@Haileyishappy]

In theory she is but in practice its really just an honorary position, a formality if you will.

[@StainerTheFirst]

Hailey Conner Actually that's not the case. Give this a read www.theguardian.com/uk/2013/jan/14/secret-papers-royals-veto-bills?CMP=NECNETTXT765 The same can happen here and has before.

[@animedorkify]

Back in the day she might have. But the queen treats Canada like her Apple user agreement, and just replies to everything with "Agree". The reason why we still keep the monarch is because no one wants to open up the constitution.

[@JeremyMacDonald1973]

Well, I would go beyond that and say that I actually like it (being a part of the Monarchy). The pomp and ceremony are sometimes entertaining - and if we don't have actual figure head Royals then the public will make some up and then one gets the Kardashians as royalty...apparently we need, or at least really want Royalty. Plus I am not a keen fan of becoming a Republic like the Americans. I like the history element as well. Plus we get to be in a club with the Australians (and who does not like Australians?) and some other interesting countries. OH yeah...and there is opening up the Constitution. In any case, the Queen treated Canada (and the large number of other countries she rules) like an Apple agreement up until 1984 when we repatriated the Constitution. Now she has no power here unless she actually shows up. Her power is held by the Governor General. Now in the UK the role of the monarchs and what power they have is extremely complicated and has a long and storied history going all the way back to the Magna Carta and passes through stuff like the English Civil War and the anti-monarchial Cromwell Tyranny and so on through Queen Victoria the II who sat the throne for so long that she eventually could tweak the rules in her favour. Thing is Canada has not really had all of that. Legally speaking the current Governor General has the same powers, except the part where he or she answers to the Monarchy unless the Monarch is in the country, as the first Governor General assigned to rule over the newly Conquered New France. There is no need for a secret codicil granting the The Governor General extra power - the Governor General holds all the reserve powers of the Monarch. A quick scan tells one that there is nothing at all regarding any kind of checks or balances to those reserve powers. In other words the Governor General has complete and absolute power...of course, no Governor General has used even a smidgen of that power, except for the ceremonial bits, since 1926 and I don't expect any to do so any time soon. TLDR; Governor General does not need secret codicels granting power - the Governor General's power is already absolute and without any restrictions what so ever.

[@bs4e]

we're on hold with rogers. grrrr. rogers

[@VutheMonk]

Stephen Harper wasn't choosen by the people? What the hell? What's the point of us voting then?

[@grenadasparta]

If they taught this in grade 9 IB history class, we IB students would have never taken civics, saving time and enjoying our summer. Nevertheless, still informative and extremely funny.

[@TheRevolutionariesEK]

She can't APPOINT a Prime Minister, that's what the PARTIES do. However he can be kicked out of position IF the majority of the house DOES not like how he does things and CAN put a IDEA out for them to vote on.

[@kal794]

@JoseDCampa We vote for MP's and then our gov't is chosen from those MP's. Typically the leader of the party with the most seats then becomes Prime Minister, however in the case that they cannot keep confidence our Gov. General can appoint another leader as Prime Minister.

[@SharpThePen]

Come to Canada: choose those who choose your leaders, but only after all of that is approved by someone that you don't choose.

[@CrazyCannuk804]

I got here via old Molson beer commercials...

[@bananian]

honestly, I've been living here in Canada for over 10 years and I'm still not sure how shit works in the government.

[@LordWellington15]

God Save Our Queen.

[@JcPepin]

Actually they do have that power. They've never used it, but they have it, among other similar powers like dissolving parliament (forcing a new election) or inviting someone from another party to fill the role of Prime Minister. The latter actually has been used, too.

[@Octupus46]

the woman who was Governor General at the time that this video was made came to my school when i was in grade 4 and we all met her ^.^

[@garyl6265]

Rick Mercer, Newfie through and through.

[@Jwestcott5000]

I have no respect for unelected rulers, figureheads or not. I have plenty of respect for Canadian heritage, just none for our rulers across the sea. She is the official head of state for our country! She has no business being so IMHO.

[@MessiahComing]

This was the biggest run-on sentence I've ever seen.

[@cavemantiger]

@JoseDCampa yeah... we're a very roundabout nation... we dont really like to make decisions... which is why we still follow her majesty... but we have poutine and good beer so we're ok

[@TheRevolutionariesEK]

As per the Constitution Act, 1867, Canada is a constitutional monarchy, wherein the role of the reigning sovereign is both legal and practical, but not political. Can't declare war, or send our troops elsewhere.

[@JohnDoe-ru1vp]

look up the the "Personification of the Canadian state" The king or queen of Canada is the employer of all government officials and staff (including the viceroys, judges, members of the Canadian Forces, police officers, and parliamentarians

[@TheRevolutionariesEK]

In this case the Teacher is the leader, only making his student hand out the test, in other words, the TEACHER wrote the TEST(or got it fromthe division) and the student is only following his commands, but still does not relate to Canada, (Such as the part where he hands it out, he is not ordering the others to take it, simply handing it to them) Where does the lady come from is my question. And who fills the Teacher General position? Otherwise Canada is as free as it's gonna' get.

[@hazzarous2afault]

gotta love rick mercer!!!

[@joshuayonathan5373]

it calls elections when it has to, it doesn't appoint governments in the way you think they do, and it summons/dismiss government when necessary. Canada gave this power to the GG to symbolize the relationship canada and britain has, because there wasn't any harm it could do to us.

[@zackmorris1847]

CANADIAN POLITICS ARE BADASS!

[@russfromdodge]

And when Canadian's were made starkly aware that the opposition parties were willing to form a coalition government with BLOC Quebecois separtists holding the balance of power they gave Harper his majority at the very 1st chance.A majority that will carry on after the next election as well...

[@ohmylovelydays]

I'm on hold with Rogers right now...

[@JimmyKraktov]

"God Save The Queen" is a 'Royal' Anthem but it hasn't been Canada's in over 30 years. Our National Anthem is 'O Canada' and hasn't a 'Royal' word in it. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1960) makes up the first 35 Chapters of the Constitution Act (1982) and yes, we are allowed to protest. If we do it peacefully we don't get arrested. The Queen of England is a ceremonial figurehead and has no powers in Canada. You're up to date now :~)

[@RenardeBlanche]

...I guess I should also point out that the national anthem and royal anthem are two different things.