1.4

Question 1

What is a majority government?

Answer 1

A government that holds more than half the seats in the House of Commons (at least 170 out of 338 seats).

Question 2

What is a key characteristic of a majority government?
a) It requires opposition support to pass laws
b) It has more than half of the seats in the House of Commons
c) It always results in a coalition government
d) It frequently collapses due to confidence votes

Answer 2

b) It has more than half of the seats in the House of Commons

Question 3

What is the mandate of a majority government?

Answer 3

Short Answer: Winning a majority of seats gives the government a clear mandate to introduce and pass laws that align with its electoral platform.

Question 4

How does a majority government ensure legislative power?
a) By negotiating with opposition parties
b) By relying on the Senate for support
c) By having more than half the votes in the House of Commons, allowing them to pass or reject any law
d) By using confidence votes to force decisions

Answer 4

c) By having more than half the votes in the House of Commons, allowing them to pass or reject any law ✅

Question 5

Why are majority governments generally more stable than minority governments?

Answer 5

Short Answer: Since they hold over half the seats, they can pass laws without opposition support and usually serve a full four-year term.

Question 6

What role does the opposition play in a majority government? (Select all that apply)
a) Holding the government accountable
b) Changing the outcome of most votes
c) Asking questions during Question Period
d) Participating in committee hearings

Answer 6

a) Holding the government accountable ✅
c) Asking questions during Question Period ✅
d) Participating in committee hearings ✅

Question 7

What defines a minority government?

Answer 7

Short Answer: A government where no political party has a majority of seats in the House of Commons, requiring support from other parties to pass laws.

Question 8

Why does a minority government require compromise?
a) It must draft bills that other parties are willing to support
b) It can pass laws without any opposition support
c) It controls the Senate, making negotiations unnecessary
d) It automatically forms a coalition with opposition parties

Answer 8

a) It must draft bills that other parties are willing to support ✅

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a minority government?
a) Legislative compromise
b) Increased influence by the opposition
c) Stability throughout a full four-year term
d) The risk of early elections due to confidence votes

Answer 9

c) Stability throughout a full four-year term ✅

Question 10

What happens if a minority government loses a confidence vote?

Answer 10

Short Answer: The government falls, which may lead to an early election.

Question 11

Why do opposition parties have more power in a minority government?

Answer 11

Short Answer: The government needs their support to pass laws, and they can use confidence votes as leverage to influence policy.

Question 12

Why might a Prime Minister call an early election in a minority government?
a) To pass emergency laws
b) To secure a majority government
c) To increase Senate control
d) To avoid debates in the House of Commons

Answer 12

b) To secure a majority government ✅

Question 13

How do minority governments in Canada typically maintain power without forming a coalition?

Answer 13

Short Answer: They make informal or written agreements with opposition parties rather than creating multi-party cabinets.

Question 14

Why are coalition governments rare in Canada?
a) Minority governments prefer informal agreements with opposition parties
b) The Constitution forbids coalition governments
c) The Governor General prevents them from forming
d) They are only allowed after a referendum

Answer 14

a) Minority governments prefer informal agreements with opposition parties ✅