Branches And People In The Government Flashcards
Constitutional monarchy
This means that a monarch (king or queen) acts as the head of state within the guidelines of the constitution.
What is a representative democracy?
A democracy in which the government is made up of elected officials who represent the people.
What are the three parts of Canada’s government?
The executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
The three branches fit…
Within the structure of the federal and provincial governments and work together to pass laws, enforce laws, and make decisions about Canada.
Separately, these branches balance…
Each other to prevent one part of the government from having too much power.
Who is the executive branch made of?
The Sovereign, the Governor General, the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.
What does the executive branch do?
The executive branch carries out laws and regulations, handles daily government business and plans future government action.
Who is in the Judicial branch?
The Supreme Court
What does the judicial branch do?
This branch interprets the law and decides who has broken the law and sets penalties for punishment.
Who is in the legislative branch?
The House of Commons and the Senate
What does the legislative branch do?
They make laws and regulations. They may also amend them (improve or change them).
In what branch of government is the monarch?
The executive branch
What are the Monarchs responsibilities?
The monarch selects the GG, conducts state visits to other countries, welcomes visiting heads of state and foreign identities, promotes Canadian unity, celebrates national identity and signs important documents.
How is the position of a monarch acquired?
Through inheritance
Who is our current Monarch?
Queen Elizabeth II
In what branch of the government is the government is the Governor General?
The executive branch
What are the duties and responsibilities of the GG?
They represent the queen, dissolve parliament, sign important documents (like the Royal assent)m welcome visiting heads of state, promotes Canadian unity, has cermonial and constitutional roles, makes sure Canada has a prime ministers reads speeches from the throne and swears people in such as Cabinet ministers.
In what branch of the government is the Lieutenant governor?
The executive branch
What are the duties and responsibilities of the Lieutenant governor?
- reads the speech fro the throne
- signs bills
- swears in ministers
- presents awards
- ceremonial roles
- represents a province
- dissolves the legislature
How is the position of the LG acquired?
Appointed by the Governor General
Who is our current LG?
Elizabeth Dowdeswell
How is the position of the GG acquired?
Appointed by the Queen on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.
Who is our current GG?
David Johnston
In what branch of government is the Prime Minister?
The executive and legislative branch.
What are the duties and responsibilities of the Prime Minister?
- has final say on any major decision
- press conferences
- controls taxes
- meets with foreign identities
- participates in debates
- can fire members at any time
- appoints positions within the government
- has say in military mobilization
- most powerful position in Canada
- must be a leader of a political party
How is the position of the Prime Minister acquired?
Must be elected by Canadian citizens and be a leader of a political party.
Who is our current Prime Minister?
Stephen Harper
In which branch of the government is the Premier?
The executive and the legislative branch.
What are the duties of the Premier?
- the provincial equivalent of the prime minster
- works exclusively in the matters of provincial jurisdiction
- first among equals in the provincial cabinet
- education, healthcare, and labour legislation and of areas of expertise
- premier is elected by the citizens of the province
How the position of the Premier acquired?.
Elected by citizens
Who is our current Premier?
Kathleen Wynne
In what branch of the government are the Cabinet Ministers in?
The executive and the legislative branch
What are the duties and the responsibilities of the Cabinet Minsiters?
- run a department portfolio
- no law dictating which portfolio to run
