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
Triple E Senate: Elected
- Each province should elect their senators
- Senators should have to be elected again after a term limit
26
For Triple E Senate
- 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
Against Triple E Senate
- 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
Triple E Senate: Effective
- The senate should have more power
29
Judicial Branch
- Interprets and applies all law in Canada, including the rights of Canadians
30
Judicial branch includes?
1. Constitution
2. Supreme Court
3. Supreme Court Justices
4. Lower Federal Courts
31
Constitution
- Supreme law in Canada
- Outlines the roles of the branches of government and the rights of Canadians
32
Changing the Constitution
- 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
Supreme Court Justices
- 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
Media
- Includes newspapers, magazines, internets, billboards, etc
- Delivers information and messages quickly to large audiences
- Politicions will often try to influence the media
35
Types of Media
1. Paid Media
2. Owned Media
3. Earned Media
36
Paid Media
- Social media ads
- Display ads
- Paid search sponsorships
37
Owned Media
- Websites
- Emails
- Podcasts
- Social media posts
38
Earned Media
- Mentions
- Shares
- Reposts
- Reviews
- Organic rankings
39
Lobbyists
- Hired to influence MP's and government officials
- Must let people know they are lobbyists
- Talks about issues for Canadians
40
