Canadian Government Flashcards
How does the Prime Minister get this position?
The party leader whose MPs won the majority of seats gets elected
How are party members expected to vote in the House of Commons (HOC)?
The way the party leader wants
Is how party members are expected to vote in the House of Commons Democratic?
No. It’s coercive
What is the Senate responsible for?
It is responsible for passing or rejecting proposed laws
How many senators are there in the HOC?
105
How does the Prime Minister form the Cabinet?
The governor general appoints to the Cabinet persons chosen by the prime minister
What is the role of the leader of the opposition?
To offer targeted criticism to the government of the day.
How does a bill become law?
Prime Minister and his cabinet think of law. It is written and introduced to the HOC. Debated and revised by small commitee, it then needs a majority to pass to the Senate who rubber stamps it. Governer General Signs it into practice.
What is the role of the Member of Parliament (MP)?
proposing and passing laws, and deciding who gets to be prime minister.
What are the duties of the Governor General (GG)?
summoning, proroguing and dissolving Parliament.
setting out the government’s program by reading the Speech from the Throne.
giving Royal Assent, which brings parliamentary bills into law.
What is the Legislative Branch?
Formed by the Queen, Senate and HOC it makes laws that govern our country.
What is the Executive Branch?
Formed by the Queen, the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. It implements the laws
What is the Judicial Branch?
Interprets the laws and makes sure no one is above the law
The Federal Government is responsible for …
National Defence
Canadian Citizenship
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Immigration
Currency
Canada Pension Plan
Border Security
Foreign Policy
National Parks
The Provincial Government is responsible for …
Emission Standards
Education
Fishing licence
Colleges and Universities
Drivers Licence
Hospitals
Health Cards
Highways
Ontario Provincial Police
Drinking Water Standards
Agriculture
Child Care
Workplace Safety
vehicle Licencing
The Municipal Government is responsible for …
Fire Services
Garbage Collection
Emergency Services
Snow Removal
Community Centers
Public Transportation
Toronto Police Service
Elements of a Democratic State
Free Elections
Universal Voting Rights
More than one political party to choose from
Liberty and Freedom of Expression
Policy Decisions made by the majority of people
Rule of Law
Right to Vote
1867
BNA Act:
Only men who are 21 years of age or older and who own property
Indian Act:
Could vote if they gave up their Indian Statues
Right to Vote
1917
Wartime Elections Act and Military Voters Act:
all male and female members of the armed forces serving overseas and female relatives of soldiers Vote. First Nations people can vote in a Canadian federal election.
Right to Vote
1918
Canadian women now have the right to vote in federal elections if they meet the same eligibility criteria as men
Right to Vote
1920
Dominion Elections Act:
Appointment of a Chief Electoral Officer. One of their first tasks is to add women to the federal voting lists.
Right to Vote
1934
Legislation specifically excludes Inuit from voting in federal elections
Right to Vote
1948
The federal vote is now open to Canadians regardless of provincial exclusions. Japanese, Chinese and other Asian Canadians can vote federally, no matter which province they live in.
Right to Vote
1950
Inuit obtain the right to vote in Canadian federal elections.
