Babs Flashcards
Constitution
System of fundamental principles
Question period
45 mins where the opposition can question in the House of Commons
Backbenchers
Members of governing party who aren’t in the cabinet (less important than MPs)
Communism
Extreme left-wing ideology based on the revolutionary socialist teachings of the Marx. Collective ownership and planned economy. Each should work to their capability and receive according to their needs. Authoritarian, classless
Parliament
Group of representatives who govern the country
Made up of the Governor General, House of Commons, and the senate
Socialism
Left-wing political system where the principle means of production, distribution, and exchange are in common ownership
Cabinet
Elected party members that initiate new laws, administer government policy
Patronage
Act of rewarding a party member for loyalty or support
Liberalism
Representative government, free-speech, abolition of class privilege of the individual
Fascism
Extreme right-wing ideology where the existing social order is protected by the forcible suppression of the working class
Capitalism
An economic and political system in which a country’s trade and industry are controlled by private owners, rather than by the state
Speaker of the house
Leader of the majority party who serves as the presiding officer of the House of Representatives
Government
The ruling authority for a community
Riding
Area marked by population to be represented by an elected government official
Cabinet solidarity
Display of full support for the leader and decisions to show strength and demonstrates to the public that the government is united and confident with their decision
Representative democrAcy
A democratic system in which citizens vote for representatives who are empowered in their behalf to make decisions
Senate
Not an elected body, upper house, who provide “sober second thought” in the passing of bills
Governor General
The person who represents the British crown in Canada. gives formal assent to bill before it becomes a law, performs ceremonial functions, and acts as adviser to govt to ensure it abides by Constitution
Conservatism
Government system where the existing institutions are maintained, emphasizing free-enterprise and minimal government intervention
Political spectrum
The difference in political views held by the different political parties
Party whip
A member of a party that ensures members are present in parliament so they may vote in legislature and support bills
Public service
Referred to as the civil service or bureaucracy. Employed group who performs business of government
Democracy
Rule by the people
Monarchy
State ruled by a monarch
Head of state
Also known as Governor General
Legislative branch
Makes and amends laws
Caucus and in camera
A private meeting among party MPs
House of Commons (Lower House)
All members of parliament
Executive branch
Makes and administers decisions.
Judicial branch
Interprets and administers laws
Prime minister
Head of government, national leader, and party leader
Sergeant-at-arms
Performs ceremonial duties (mace) in charge of security for the House of Commons and parliament buildings
Opposition
Any member of parliament not in the winning party
Shadow cabinet
Role is to criticize cabinet
Absolute monarchy
A government solely run by the ruler
Constitutional monarchy
The recognition of a monarch as the head of state however we have our own constitutions and the Queen is subject to our laws
Canadian constitution
A legal document outlining who should have the power to make various decisions
Residual powers
Any powers that are not specifically listed that are held by the federal government or the Crown
Suffrage
The right to vote
Member of Parliament (MP)
An elected member of the House of Commons who represents a riding
Direct democracy
A form of government in which citizens rule directly and not through representatives
Federal system/federalism
The sharing of power between the central and provincial governments
Vote of non-confidence
A vote showing that a majority does not support the policy of a leader or governing body.
Deputy minister
The public servant who manages each government department.
Mace
Ceremonial staff used as a symbol of authority; clublike medieval weapon
Public servants
Employees of the federal government who represent the link between Canadian citizens and the government
Leader of the opposition
The leader of the largest political party opposing the government in the Canadian House of Commons, who is also in charge of the Shadow Cabinet.
Supreme court
The highest judicial court in a country or state.
Legislative assembly
Elected body in each province and territory to create and pass laws
Lieutenant governor
Representative of the monarch in each province and territory
Mayor
Head of municipal government
Municipal councillors
Develop policies and pass by-laws as needed
By-laws
Public regulatory laws which apply in a certain area
Band Council
Aboriginal elders who meet needs if the people
Chief
Leader of Aboriginal community (mayor)
Constitution Act 1867
The legislation setting out the division of responsibilities between the federal and provincial or territorial governments
Statue of Westminster
1931 act of Parliament that recognized Canada, completely independent. We joined with Great Britain as equal partners in an organization called the British Commonwealth of Nations.
Patriation
the process of bringing legislation back under the legal authority of the country to which it applies (Britain in Canada’s case)
Party platform
The statement of policies of a national political party
Official party status
- Must have a minimum of 12 seats in House of Commons
- Allows a party to receive funding for government and participate in debates in House of Commons
Universal franchise
The right to vote for all citizens over 18 years of age
Chief Electoral Officer
The non-partisan officer of Parliament responsible for the administration of federal elections and referendums under the Canada Elections Act
Polling stations
locations where citizens in a riding vote
Regionalism
loyalty to the interests of a particular region
Majority government
Refers to a party in the House of Commons that forms the government with more than 50% of the seats under its control.
Minority government
a government in which the ruling party has less than half the seats in the legislature
Coalition government
When two or more parties join together to form a majority in a national legislature.
First-past-the-post system
The system in which the candidate who has more votes than any other candidate wins an election.
Popular vote
The tally of each individual’s vote within a given geographic area
Proportional representation
An election system in which each party running receives the proportion of legislative seats corresponding to its proportion of the vote.
Preferential ballot
voters rank candidates in order of preference
Interest/pressure groups
When individuals or groups articulate their interests to federal, provincial or municipal government to influence public policy or government decision making
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
the bill identifying human rights that are guaranteed to everyone in Canada; enacted in 1982 and embedded in the Constitution of Canada
Rule of Law
states that - we’re governed by fixed set of laws - laws apply to all people equally (even Monarch) - specific offences can only be charged after following proper legal procedures
Civil law
deals with relationships between individuals and groups. contracts, property, personal relationships. person who suffered is plaintiff. person who did “wrong” is defendant. trespassing, contracts, advertising
Legislative branch in federal government includes…
Governor General, senate, house of commons (PM, cabinet, MPs)
Prov gov’t includes…
Lieutenant governor, legislative assembly (premier, Cabinet, MLAs)
Bill to law process in provincial govt
3 readings. bills passed are proclaimed by lieutenant governor. Includes finance, education, environment
Criminal law
deals with matters that affect society. contained in criminal code of Canada (1892). carried out in name of crown. lawyers for crown are prosecution. accused person is defendant. murder, assault, theft… 3 elements of criminal law: - presumption of innocence (innocent until proven guilty) - criminal act (guilt must be proven under Canadian Law) - Mens Rea (guilty mind - prosecution must show intent)
Common law
English origins. based on decisions of British judges. rules based on precedent (past decisions) - not just based on law professors, but other scholars as well.
Statutory law
set out in parliament
Quebec civil code
based on code Napoleon. applies to Quebec, in harmony with charter of rights and freedom. arranged into 10 books
life sentence
25 years
2 year or less sentence
provincial institution
more than 2 year sentence
federal institution
whats the goal of our corrections system
to rehabilitate
whats maximum term for a youth
5 years
what happens to criminal record when youth turns to adult. and can youth offenders be named
its destroyed. no, most youth offenders cannot be named
civil disobedience
the act of intentionally breaking or refusing to keep laws one considers unjust
notwithstanding clause
allows govt to pass law, even if it violates specific freedom or right guaranteed in Charter. expires 5 years after it’s invoked, but may be renewed.
dissolving parliament
what PM asks govt general to do before calling an election. happens when gov’t’s fixed 4 years is complete
Session
When federal parliament meets at least once a year to pass new laws, amend or repeal laws, and debate issues of concern to Canadians, it’s called this
Executive branch of federal government includes…
Governor General, prime minister, cabinet and public service
Non-governmental organization
Special interest non-profit organizations that work to improve some aspect of people’s lives (examples: the Canadian Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders)
Lobbyist
Someone who is paid to represent interests of a particular group to key decision makers
traditions
established rules and procedures which have been around for a while
free vote
allows members of legislature to vote according to what they believe is best, rather than following party position
political party
organization of individuals who support a common set of goals and beliefs
private member’s bill
when member of house of commons that’s not in cabinet introduces a new bill
premier
“provincial prime minister”
hate propaganda
any notice, sign, symbol, emblem, or other representation that exposes a person or class of persons to hatred
bill to law process federal government
cabinet minister has idea. it is approved by cabinet. lawyers draft bill, cabinet and caucus approve bill. bill introduced to house of commons or senate for first reading, then second reading. it is debated. parliamentary committee examines bill, house amends it, third reading, bill passes house. senate examines, debates and amends bill, it is passed. Governor General gives formal assent, its done.
