1: Canada's Federal System, Stopped On P. 28 Flashcards
What does it mean to govern?
To make decisions as a government and put decisions into action
Define governance.
The process of governing
What is a government?
The body with power to make decisions for a society
When did Canada become a country?
1867
Who were the Fathers of Confederation?
Politicians who struck an agreement to bring four colonies of British North America under one government
List the levels of government in Canada.
- Local government
- Provincial government
- Federal government
How does Canada’s government affect Canadians?
Its decisions affect the quality of life of Canadians
What is important for Canada’s government to acknowledge?
The different needs and priorities of its citizens
What are the focus questions of this chapter?
- What is the structure of Canada’s federal political system?
- How do laws become laws?
- How do the media connect Canadians to their government?
- What do lobbyists do?
How effectively does Canada’s federal political system govern Canada for all Canadians?
This is a key question explored in the chapter
What should you look for as you read this chapter?
Challenges and opportunities that governance in Canada creates
Fill in the blank: Canada has been a country since _______.
[1867]
Who is Nancy Karetak-Lindell?
An Inuit politician elected as the member of parliament for Nunavut in 1997
Represents a significant change in governance in Canada since 1867 with increased representation for Indigenous peoples.
What year was Rahim Jaffer first elected to represent Edmonton Strathcona?
1997
His family immigrated to Canada as refugees from Uganda.
Which politician from Montréal was born in Haiti and elected in 2006?
Vivian Barbot
Represents the diversity of political representation in Canada.
What was Paul Steckle’s profession before serving as a member of parliament?
Farmer
He served as a member of parliament from 1993 to 2006.
What is the critical question regarding Canada’s federal political system?
How effectively does Canada’s federal political system govern Canada for all Canadians?
This question prompts analysis of representation and governance.
Fill in the blank: Nancy Karetak-Lindell is of _______ ancestry.
Inuit
Fill in the blank: Rahim Jaffer’s family came to Canada as refugees from _______.
Uganda
True or False: Vivian Barbot was elected as a member of parliament in 2006.
True
To what extent might the different experiences of Canadians affect their views or perspectives?
Varied experiences lead to diverse perspectives on governance
Encourages understanding of how personal backgrounds influence political views.
What significant change in governance has occurred in Canada since 1867?
Increased representation of diverse populations, including Indigenous and immigrant communities
Reflects evolving governance structures in Canada.
Who was the first Prime Minister of Canada?
John A. Macdonald
What years did John A. Macdonald serve as Prime Minister?
1867-1873 and 1878-1891
Who was the Prime Minister of Canada from 1896 to 1911?
Wilfrid Laurier
Fill in the blank: John A. Macdonald served as Prime Minister during the years _______.
1867-1873 and 1878-1891
Fill in the blank: Wilfrid Laurier was Prime Minister from _______ to _______.
1896 to 1911
Who was the Prime Minister of Canada from 1957 to 1963?
John Diefenbaker
John Diefenbaker served as the 13th Prime Minister of Canada.
Who was the Prime Minister of Canada from 1968 to 1979?
Pierre Trudeau
Pierre Trudeau was the 15th Prime Minister and is known for his charismatic leadership.
Which Prime Minister served two non-consecutive terms, one from 1968 to 1979 and another from 1980 to 1984?
Pierre Trudeau
Trudeau’s time in office is marked by significant social and economic reforms.
Fill in the blank: The Prime Minister of Canada from 1957 to 1963 was _______.
John Diefenbaker
Fill in the blank: The Prime Minister of Canada from 1968 to 1979 and again from 1980 to 1984 was _______.
Pierre Trudeau
What is Canada’s constitution?
The law that describes governance in Canada.
What does Canada’s constitution set out?
The role of the governor general and the different roles of the three branches of government.
Who is the formal head of state in Canada?
Britain’s queen or king.
Who represents Britain’s monarch in Canada?
The governor general.
What branches of government does the governor general belong to?
Both the executive and legislative branches.
What is the role of the Executive Branch?
Proposes most laws, puts laws into action, runs the day-to-day business of government.
What does the Legislative Branch do?
Makes laws and represents the interests and rights of Canada’s regions.
What is the role of the Judicial Branch?
Applies and interprets laws.
What is the Supreme Court’s role in Canada?
It is the highest court and interprets the law.
Fill in the blank: The _______ proposes most laws in Canada.
Executive Branch
True or False: The governor general actively participates in Canada’s government.
False
What important institution is described in Canada’s constitution?
The Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
What is the role of the Cabinet in Canada’s government?
Part of the Executive Branch that helps propose and implement laws.
What is the primary function of the House of Commons?
To make laws.
What courts are part of the Judicial Branch in Canada?
Provincial/Territorial Courts and the Supreme Court.
Fill in the blank: The _______ represents the interests and rights of Canada’s regions.
Legislative Branch
What does the constitution describe regarding the three branches of government?
How they work together to exercise the decision-making authority of government.
What is the executive branch?
The part of government responsible for putting laws into action.
Who was Jack Davis?
Canada’s first Minister of Environment.
When was the environment portfolio created?
In 1971.
Why was the environment portfolio created?
Due to problems from pollution and pesticides making environmental issues a priority for Canadians.
What does the executive branch include?
The prime minister and the cabinet.
Who is the head of Canada’s government?
The Prime Minister.
What must one do to become Prime Minister?
Be elected as the leader of a political party and as a member of parliament, and lead a party that wins the most seats in the House of Commons.
What is the role of the cabinet?
Includes people responsible for different government departments and agencies or portfolios.
Who are cabinet ministers?
Members of cabinet who are members of parliament (MPs) or senators.
What does the Prime Minister decide regarding the cabinet?
What portfolios to include and who the cabinet ministers are.
What does the cabinet propose?
Most of the ideas that become laws.
What is one example of a cabinet minister’s responsibility?
The Minister of Environment runs the department of the environment.
What are political parties?
Groups of people with similar ideas about how government should respond to issues.
What do political parties seek to do?
Form the government.
Who can join a political party?
Anyone, including Grade 9 students.
Why does Canada have a variety of political parties?
Because Canadians have different views and perspectives.
Fill in the blank: The cabinet includes individuals responsible for different government _______.
[departments and agencies]
True or False: The Prime Minister is elected by the general public.
False
What is the executive branch?
The part of government responsible for putting laws into action.
Who was Jack Davis?
Canada’s first Minister of Environment.
When was the environment portfolio created?
In 1971.
Why was the environment portfolio created?
Due to problems from pollution and pesticides making environmental issues a priority for Canadians.
What does the executive branch include?
The prime minister and the cabinet.
Who is the head of Canada’s government?
The Prime Minister.
What must one do to become Prime Minister?
Be elected as the leader of a political party and as a member of parliament, and lead a party that wins the most seats in the House of Commons.
What is the role of the cabinet?
Includes people responsible for different government departments and agencies or portfolios.
Who are cabinet ministers?
Members of cabinet who are members of parliament (MPs) or senators.
What does the Prime Minister decide regarding the cabinet?
What portfolios to include and who the cabinet ministers are.
What does the cabinet propose?
Most of the ideas that become laws.
What is one example of a cabinet minister’s responsibility?
The Minister of Environment runs the department of the environment.
What are political parties?
Groups of people with similar ideas about how government should respond to issues.
What do political parties seek to do?
Form the government.
Who can join a political party?
Anyone, including Grade 9 students.
Why does Canada have a variety of political parties?
Because Canadians have different views and perspectives.
Fill in the blank: The cabinet includes individuals responsible for different government _______.
[departments and agencies]
True or False: The Prime Minister is elected by the general public.
False
What is the legislative branch of Canada’s federal political system called?
Canada’s parliament
The legislative branch includes the House of Commons, the Senate, and the governor general.
What is the major law-making body in Canada’s federal political system?
The House of Commons
The House of Commons is responsible for debating, studying, and voting on proposed laws called bills.
Who are the members of the House of Commons?
Members of parliament (MPs)
Voters elect MPs to represent the voters of one riding or district.
How is representation in the House of Commons determined?
By population
Representation is based on the population of the ridings.
What languages are all proceedings of the legislative branch conducted in?
French and English
Canada has two official languages.
What role do most MPs belong to in the House of Commons?
Political parties
The party with the most MPs usually forms the government, while other parties form the opposition.
What is the liveliest part of the day in the House of Commons?
Question Period
Members from opposition parties question the prime minister and cabinet ministers on government decisions.
What is the role of the opposition in the House of Commons?
To create debate, act as a watchdog, and represent different views
The opposition speaks for the varied perspectives of Canadians.
Fill in the blank: The legislative branch is also called _______.
Canada’s parliament
True or False: The House of Commons includes the Senate and the governor general.
False
The House of Commons is a part of the legislative branch, which includes the Senate and the governor general.
