C1- Canada's Federal Government Flashcards
The Executive Branch:
the part of the government responsible for putting laws into action
- -includes the Prime Minister (PM) and the cabinet and governor general (GG)*
- *(Executive always means those in charge)**
To become the PM you must:
- be elected as the leader of a political party
- be elected as a member of parliament
- your party must win the most seats in the House of Commons
The cabinet are appointed by the…
Prime Minister (PM)
Cabinet purposes…
most of the ideas which become laws
The PM and cabinet run the everyday business of…
the government
The Legislation Branch:
is the part of the government that makes laws
- (includes the House of Commons, the Senate and the Governor general)**
- *Legislation always means LAWS**
senate:
the smaller upper assembly; often upper house of chamber
The House of Commons:
- major law-making body in Canada’s federal political system
- members of parliament (MPs) are elected by voters
- MPs represent the voters of on riding or district
- the political party with the most MPs form the government,
The Senate:
- further study and debate on laws
- a bill cannot become Law until both the House of Commons and the Senate passes it
Members are called…
senators
Senate helps to ensure…
the minorities still have a strong voice within Canada
Senate can…
propose laws but cannot propose laws which create or spend taxes
A bill may be passed by…
the Senate and House of Commons to become a law
Senate can reject laws from the…
House of Commons
political parties:
groups of people who have similar ideas about the government
- formal organizations that any Canadian can join
- they elect leaders
The Judicial Branch:
the branch of the government that interprets and applies the law by making legal judgments
- includes Canada’s court of law
- is separate from the other branches and checks on their power
- has the responsibility for making sure rights are upheld and respected
- *Judicial means always think judges**
How laws are passed:
- First Reading
- Second Reading
- Committee Stage
- Report Stage
- Third reading
First Reading:
printed copies of the bill are made available for the 1st time
Second Reading:
debate and vote on the principle of the bill
Committee Stage:
detailed study of the bill
Report Stage:
debate and vote on amendments (changes) to the bill
Third Stage:
debate and vote on the final form of the bill
lobbyists:
people paid to represent the interests in particular groups in society; hired by a group to influence MP’s and government officials
