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