Chapter 1 Flashcards
What is constitution?
The document that contains all the laws, rules, and practices
What does the constitution guarantee? (6)
Democratic rights Fundamental freedoms Mobility rights Legal rights Equality rights Language rights
What are the three main branches of government?
Executive Branch
Legislative Branch
Judicial Branch
What does the executive branch consist of? (3)
Prime Minister
Prime Ministers Cabinet
Governor General
Governor General
2
Representative of the Queen
Part of the executive and legislative branch
What are the roles and responsibilities of the Prime Minister? (2)
Head of government
Appoints cabinet members
What is the Cabinet? (4)
Includes people who have a responsibility to different departments of gov.
All cabinet members are appointed by the PM
Conduct the day to day business of the gov.
Propose most of the bills that become laws
What does the legislative branch consist of? (3)
The House of Commons
The Senate
The Governor General
What is the House of Commons? (3)
Role is to debate on proposed laws
Comprised of members of parliament
All proceedings done in French and English
Who are the Members of Parliament? (2)
Elected representatives
Belong to political parties
Represents their constituents
What are constituents?
People who live in the riding they are representing
What is the Senate? (4)
Are non-elected members of parliament Appointed by the PM Can serve until age 75 Their role is to provide thoughts on any bills that pass through the House of Commons Represent different regions of Canada
What does the judicial branch consist of? (2)
Includes Canada’s court of law
All members come from the legal profession
What is the Supreme Court? (2)
Interprets and applies all laws in Canada
Ensures the rights of all Canadians are being followed and upheld
Describe the Judges in the judicial branch. (3)
Nominated by the PM
9 judges from 4 different regions
3 for Ontario and Quebec, 2 for Western Canada, 1 for the Maritimes
What is the Political Spectrum?
Is a means of characterizing beliefs, values, and priorities
Provides a framework to view and evaluate political parties and policies
What are political parties? (2)
A group of people with shared political ideals
Each party promotes their party platform
Describe the Right Wing ideals (3)
Favouring individual liberty
Free markets and lower taxes
Usually more individualism
Describe the left wing ideals
Embrace social equality and social services
Believe in some degree of government intervention in the economy
What is the role of a party leader? (2)
Win elections inside their own party to become leader
Will become prime minister if their party wins
What is the role of the party whip?
The person who is tasked with making sure everyone in the party is on the same page
What are the two types of bills?
Public and Private
What are Public Bills?
Gets sponsored by a Cabinet Minister or Senators
What are Private Bills?
Usually gets sponsored by individual MP
What bills get denoted with a C?
Bills that get sponsored by the Cabinet and originate in the HOC
What bills get demoted by an S?
Bills that are brought into Parliament by the Senate
What is the Bill to Law process?
A draft of a proposed law that will be discussed in parliament
What are the steps in the bill to law process? (7)
First Reading Second Reading Committee Report Stage Third Reading The Senate Royal Assent
Describe the First Reading stage in the Bill to Law process. (3)
When a bill is printed and made available for the first time.
There is no debate or vote
Often accompanied by a written explanation
Describe the Second Reading stage in the Bill to Law process. (3)
Where the Bill will be studied and debated by the MPs
The main question addressed is: Does the bill serve the best interests of Canadians?
At this point the bill can either be rejected or sent through to the next stage.
Describe the Committee stage in the Bill to Law process. (4)
If a bill passes the second reading it is then reviewed by a committee of MPs or Senators
Witnesses (experts or citizens) help the process
The committee then issues a report that may recommend changes that the HOC or Senate usually accept
It may be rejected at this stage as well
Describe the Report Stage in the Bill to Law process. (2)
The HOC receives the recommendations from the committee and votes on the changes.
They can accept all, none or some of the changes before passing it to the Third Reading
Describe the Third Reading stage in the Bill to Law process. (2)
This is the last stage for the HOC
They vote on the final form of the Bill before passing it on to the Senate
Describe the Senate stage in the Bill to Law process. (4)
Goes through a similar process as the HOC
If changes are made it must go back to the HOC for debate
They can’t reject bills, only propose changes
If they accept the bill without any changes, it is given to the Governor General for Royal Assent
Describe the Royal Assent stage in the Bill to Law process.
The act of a bill becoming a law
Royal Assent can be withheld but has not happened in a long time
How does the First Past the Post system of government work?
Each province is divided up into ridings
In each riding an MP affiliated with a party runs for election
The member who wins the most votes in a riding wins the seat
Do not majority percentage to win
What is a lobbyist?
Someone hired by a group to influence MP’s and government officials
What are some examples of lobbyist groups?
Non-Smokers Rights Organization
Green Peace
People Who Protested the Pipeline
Who are some of the members of the parliamentary press gallery?
CBC News
Global News
