Canadian Political Systems Flashcards
1
Q
Govern
A
- To make decisions as a government and put decisions into action
2
Q
Governance
A
- The process of governing
3
Q
Government
A
- The body with the power to make decisions for a society
4
Q
Monarch
A
- Formal head of state in Canada
- Does not play an active role in the government and is represented by the Governor General
5
Q
Governor General
A
- Represent the King in Canada
- Are appointed by the King under advice from the Prime Minister
- Has the same authority as the King when the king is not in Canada
- Must sign every bill before it becomes law
6
Q
The Three Branches of Government
A
- Executive Branch
- Legislative Branch
- Judicial Branch
7
Q
Executive Branch
A
- Proposes laws
- Puts laws into action
- Runs the day to day government
8
Q
Executive branch includes?
A
- Prime Minsiter
- Cabinet
(Monarch could be considered part of the executive branch)
9
Q
Prime Minsister
A
- The head of Canada’s government
10
Q
How does someone become Prime Minister?
A
- Be elected as leader of your political party
- Your party must win the most seats in the House of Commons
(Most Prime Ministers are also elected as Members of Parliament)
11
Q
Cabinet
A
- Advisors that work with the Prime Minster
- Each member of the cabinet oversees a different government department such as health or finance
- Prime Minister appoints the cabinet
- Members of the cabinet are called cabinet ministers
12
Q
Legislative Branch
A
- Major law making body in Canada’s political system
- Debates, votes, and studies bills
13
Q
Legislative branch includes?
A
- Governor General
- House of Commons
- Members of Parliament
- Official Opposition
- Opposition
- Senate
- Senators
(Many Prime Ministers are Members of Parliament and therefore part of the Legislative Branch)
14
Q
Members of Parliament
A
- Debate, vote, and study laws
- Each Member of Parliament represents a riding or district
- Each Member of Parliament is part of a political party
- Are elected by voters and work 5 year terms
Extra: MP’s are short for Members of Parliament
15
Q
Majority Government
A
- When the government has 50% plus 1 seat in the House of Commons
- Because of party discipline it will be very hard for the opposing parties to stop bills from being passed
Ex. liberal - 300 seats
Opposing parties - 38 seats
16
Q
Motion of Confidence
A
- What occurs when government looses on an important vote.
- It is said that the government has “lost the confidence” of parliament, and there will be another election
17
Q
Party Discipline
A
- When MP’s continually vote with the party they are in
- Creates a more stable system but restricts MP’s from having any individually
18
Q
First Past the Post
A
- Type of election system
- Voters vote for a single candidate and the candidate with the most votes wins
19
Q
Mixed Member Proportional
A
- Election system
- Voters rank the candidates from least to best candidate
- This creates a fairer voting system but it takes more time to get the results
20
Q
Senate
A
- Can propose votes but only considers bells first passed by the House of Commons
- Bill cannot become laws until both the House of Commons and Senate pass it
21
Q
Minority Government
A
- Government has less then 50% plus 1 seat
- Government could loose bills if opposing parties vote against the government
- Government may have to convince other parties to vote with them
Ex. liberals - 138 seats
opposing parties - 200 seats
22
Q
Senators
A
- Studies, debates and votes on bills passed by the House of Commons
- Senators come from diverse environments and give a unique perspective
- Appointed by the governor general under advice from the Prime Minister
23
Q
Triple E Senate
A
- Equal, elected, effective
24
Q
Triple E Senate: Equal
A
- Every Province should have the exact same amount of senators
25
Q
Triple E Senate: Elected
A
- Each province should elect their senators
- Senators should have to be elected again after a term limit
26
Q
For Triple E Senate
A
- Prime Ministers often choose Senators that follow their thinking as do as their told
- Canada is more connected as a provincial identity then a regional identity
- Effective senate would allow more meaningful discussion and debate before bills can become law
27
Q
Against Triple E Senate
A
- All senators elected would be “career politicians” who only care about money and power
- There own’t be as much diversity between the senators
- Constant elections for senators will be expensive
- Senators will not have time to make big changes with term limits
28
Q
Triple E Senate: Effective
A
- The senate should have more power
29
Q
Judicial Branch
A
- Interprets and applies all law in Canada, including the rights of Canadians
30
Q
Judicial branch includes?
A
- Constitution
- Supreme Court
- Supreme Court Justices
- Lower Federal Courts
31
Q
Constitution
A
- Supreme law in Canada
- Outlines the roles of the branches of government and the rights of Canadians
32
Q
Changing the Constitution
A
- Must have the Senate and House of Commons vote to change
- 7 out of 10 provinces must agree to the change and the 7 provinces must have 50% of Canada’s population
33
Q
Supreme Court Justices
A
- Made up of nine judges from four regions of Canada
- Are appointed by the Prime Minister under advice from the Prime Minister
- Appointed until age 75
34
Q
Media
A
- Includes newspapers, magazines, internets, billboards, etc
- Delivers information and messages quickly to large audiences
- Politicions will often try to influence the media
35
Q
Types of Media
A
- Paid Media
- Owned Media
- Earned Media
36
Q
Paid Media
A
- Social media ads
- Display ads
- Paid search sponsorships
37
Q
Owned Media
A
- Websites
- Emails
- Podcasts
- Social media posts
38
Q
Earned Media
A
- Mentions
- Shares
- Reposts
- Reviews
- Organic rankings
39
Q
Lobbyists
A
- Hired to influence MP’s and government officials
- Must let people know they are lobbyists
- Talks about issues for Canadians
40
Q
A
