Chapter One

Question 1

Define: quality of life

Answer 1

a measure of personal and collective well-being

Question 2

Define: Rights

Answer 2

what individuals and groups are allowed to do in society, usually as established in law

Question 3

Define: Society

Answer 3

a social system where a group of people share a common geographic region, sense of common identity and culture, and who participate in shared political and economic institutions for a communal purpose or interest

Question 4

Define: governance

Answer 4

the process of
governing

Question 5

Define: political system

Answer 5

the structure of government

Question 6

Define: govern

Answer 6

to make decisions as a government and put decisions into action

Question 7

Define: government

Answer 7

the body with power to make decisions for a society

Question 8

What is Canada’s Constitution?

Answer 8

The highest law in Canada; describes Canada’s governance, and sets out the role of the Governor General, and the 3 branches of government.

Question 9

What is the Executive Branch and who does it include?

Answer 9

the part of government responsible for putting laws into action. It includes the Prime Minister and their Cabinet.

Question 10

What is the Legislative Branch and who does it include?

Answer 10

the part of government that makes laws. It includes The House of Commons (HOC), the Senate, and the Governor General

Question 11

What is the alternative name for the Legislative Branch?

Answer 11

“Canada’s Parliament”

Question 12

What 2 roles do MP’s have?

Answer 12

Represent their constituents and create legislation

Question 13

Define: Constituent

Answer 13

someone who lives in a riding and is represented by an elected official from that riding

Question 14

Explain popular vote

Answer 14

The total amount of votes that were cast in an election (per person). NOT the total amount of seats won in an election.

Question 15

What is the Senate and who does it include?

Answer 15

Includes senators that are appointed (chosen) by the Prime Minister. The senate has the power to propose and reject bills in the HOC

Question 16

What is the Judicial Branch and who does it include?

Answer 16

The Judicial Branch includes people who are lawyers, and interpret the law to make legal judgement. The Judicial Branch is separate from all other branches. It inforces the laws. It includes the Supreme Court of Canada.

Question 17

True or False: For a bill to become a law, it has to pass through both the House of Commons AND the Senate

Answer 17

TRUE

Question 18

True or False: If a bill is “rejected” it can be passed onto the next stage

Answer 18

FALSE: A bill that is rejected must re-start the process from the beginning

Question 19

True or False: For a bill to become a law, it needs to get “Royal Assent” from the Governor General

Answer 19

TRUE

Question 20

Define: Lobbyists

Answer 20

A lobbyist is someone hired by a group to influence MPs and government officials.

Question 21

What is the difference between a MAJORITY government and a MINORITY government?

Answer 21

A majority government happens when a political party wins more than half of the seats in the house of commons.

A minority government happens when a political party wins more seats than any other party, but they do not win more than half.