Civics Flashcards
In Canada, to whom do we formally pledge allegiance?
We pledge allegiance to the Sovereign (King or Queen).
What type of government is there in Canada?
Canada is a constitutional monarchy, a parliamentary democracy, and a federal state. Canadians are bound together by a shared commitment to the rule of law and to the institutions of parliamentary government.
What do you swear as you take the Oath of Citizenship?
You pledge loyalty to the King or Queen, abide by Canadian law, and carry out your citizenship obligations.
True or False: In Canada, the constitution, the flag and the country are not encompassed by the Sovereign.
False. In Canada, we profess our loyalty to a person who represents all Canadians and not to a document such as a constitution, a banner such as a flag, or a geopolitical entity such as a country. In our constitutional monarchy, these elements are encompassed by the Sovereign (Queen or King). It is a remarkably simple yet powerful principle: Canada is personified by the Sovereign just as the Sovereign is personified by Canada.
Which Act granted to the Canadas, for the first time, legislative assemblies elected by the people?
The Constitution Act
What are the responsibilities of the federal government?
Matters of national and international concern.
Who has the right to vote in a federal election?
A Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old on voting day and on the voters’ list.
With what words does the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom begin?
“Whereas Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law”
What are “mobility rights”?
Canadians can live and work anywhere they choose in Canada, enter/leave the country freely, and apply for a passport.
What three rights are included in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms?
Mobility rights, Aboriginal Peoples’ rights, and official language rights, multiculturalism
Charter of Rights and Freedoms passed in 1982
What are the responsibilities of Canadian citizenship?
- Obeying the law
- Taking responsibility for one’s self and one’s family
- Serving on a jury
- Voting in elections
- Helping others in the community
- Protecting and enjoying our heritage and environment
What are the two basic requirements for citizenship?
- Knowledge of Canada and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship
- Adequate knowledge of English or French
Where do Canadians’ rights and responsibilities come from?
Canada’s history, they are secured by Canadian law, and reflect shared traditions, identities, and values.
Where does Canadian law come from?
- Laws passed by Parliament and provincial legislatures
- English common law
- civil code of France
- unwritten constitution inherited from Great Britain
What is the oldest law in Canada?
the Magna Carta, signed in England in 1215. Also known as the Great Charter of Freedoms. It included:
- Freedom of conscience and religion
- Freedom of thought, belief, opinion, and expression, including freedom of speech and the press;
- Freedom of peaceful assembly;
- Freedom of association
What are four of the original freedoms in the Magna Carta?
- Freedom of conscience and religion
- Freedom of thought, belief, opinion, and expression, including freedom of speech and the press;
- Freedom of peaceful assembly;
- Freedom of association
Magna Carta was signed in 1215 in England and is also known as the Great Charter of Freedoms.
What was the Constitution Act of 1982?
Canada took over the authority to amend its constitution, establishing full sovereignty from England. Before this, England had amended the constitution through Parliament.
The Act also amended the Canadian constitution to entrench the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which summarizes fundamental freedoms while setting out additional rights, including mobility rights, aboriginal peoples’ rights, official language rights and minority language educational rights, and, multiculturalism.
What are institutions in Canada committed to?
Peace, Order, and Good Government, a key phrase in Canada’s original constitutional document in 1867, the British North American Act
What is the original constitutional document?
1867, the British North America Act
What has enabled Canadians to build a prosperous society?
Belief in ordered liberty, enterprise, hard work, fair play
What are territorial rights?
Territorial rights established the basis for negotiating treaties with newcomers, although the treaties were not always fully respected.
First guaranteed through the Royal Proclamation of 1763 by King George III.
True or False: In Canada, gay and lesbian Canadians enjoy full protection of and equal treatment under the law, including access to civil marriage.
True!
A member of Parliament from Montreal announces that she will spend her weekend in her electoral district. This means she would be where?
In the part of Montreal where she was elected.
After a federal election, which party forms the new government?
The party with the most elected representatives is invited by the Governor General to become the party in power.
Fatima is a new immigrant in Canada. What law allows her to take a job at par with a man?
Equality of women and men.
How are Members of Parliament chosen?
Elected by Canadian citizens in their local constituency (riding).
How are Senators chosen?
Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister.
What is the role of the Governor General?
In 1947, Letters Patent Constituting the Office of the governor general of Canada (under King George VI) authorized the governor general to exercise most of the Crown’s powers on behalf of the Sovereign.
The governor general has important parliamentary responsibilities:
- summoning, proroguing and dissolving Parliament
- setting out the government’s program by reading the Speech from the Throne
- giving Royal Assent, which brings parliamentary bills into law
- The governor general is also Commander-in-Chief of Canada. He or she visits military bases and honours Canadian military personnel on behalf of The King.
The governor general also fulfills important ceremonial duties:
-promoting a sense of identity
-recognizing the achievements of outstanding Canadians
-receiving foreign dignitaries
-travelling overseas as the representative of Canada
hosting and taking part in official events
How is a Cabinet Minister chosen?
By the Prime Minister.
How is the government formed after a federal election?
Ordinarily, the party with the most elected representatives becomes the party in power. The leader of this party becomes the Prime Minister.
How is the Prime Minister chosen?
In general, the leader of the party with the most elected representatives becomes the Prime Minister. Parties can form a coalition to form the majority of elected representatives together, in which case the party with the most votes of the two will become the Prime Minister.
In Canada, are you allowed to question the police about their service or conduct?
Yes, if you feel the need to.
In Canada’s justice system what does “presumption of innocence” mean?
Everyone is innocent until proven guilty.
Name all the federal parties in the House of Commons and their leaders.
Conservative (Poilievre), NDP (Singh), Liberal (Trudeau), Bloc Quebecois (Blanchet), Green Party (May)
Name six responsibilities of citizenship
Obeying the law, taking responsibility for oneself and one’s family, helping others in the community, voting in elections, serving on a jury, protecting and enjoying
Name two key documents that contain our rights and freedoms
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Magna Carta (the Great Charter of Freedoms)
Name two responsibilities of the provincial and territorial government
Health and education
On what date did Nunavut become a territory?
April 1, 1999
The Canadian Coat of Arms and motto is “A Mari Usque Ad Mare”, which means:
From sea to sea
What are some examples of taking responsibility for yourself and your family?
Getting a job, taking care of one’s family and working hard in keeping with one’s ablities
What are the three levels of government in Canada?
- Federal
- Provincial or Territorial
- Municipal (local)
What are the three parts of Parliament?
The Sovereign, the House of Commons, the Senate
What do you call a law before it is passed?
A Bill
What do you call the Sovereign’s representative in the provinces?
Lieutenant-Governor
What do you mark on a federal election ballot?
An X.
What does Confederation mean?
Joining of the provinces to make a new country
What does it mean to say that Canada is a constitutional monarchy?
Canada’s Head of State is a hereditary Sovereign (Queen or King) who reigns in accordance with the Constitution
What does the “right to a secret ballot” mean
No one can watch you vote and no one should look at how you voted
What does the term “responsible government” mean?
It is the idea that the government is responsible to the people, and the people must trust that the government is doing its job. If they lose the confidence of the House, the government resigns and an election is called.
What is a majority government?
When the party in power holds at least half of the seats in the House of Commons.
What is a voter information card?
A form that tells you when and where to vote.
What is Canada’s system of government called?
Parliamentary government
What is meant by equality of women and men?
Men and women are equal under the law.
What is the difference between the role of the Sovereign and that of the Prime Minister?
The Sovereign is the guardian of Constitutional freedoms, the Prime Minister selects the Cabinet ministers and is responsible for operations and policy of government.
What is the government of all of Canada called?
Federal
What is the highest court in Canada?
Supreme Court of Canada
What is the highest military honour a Canadian can receive?
Victoria Cross
What is the name of the Governor General?
Mary Simon
What is the name of the Prime Minister of Canada and his/her party?
Justin Trudeau (Liberal Party)
What is the role of the courts in Canada?
To settle disputes.
What is the role of the Opposition parties?
To oppose or try to improve government proposals.
What part of the constitution legally protects the basic rights and freedoms of all Canadians?
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
When asked, who must you tell how you voted in a federal election?
No one.
When must federal elections be held?
On the third Monday in October every four years following the most recent election.
When you vote on election day, what do you do?
Go to the voting station with your voter’s card and ID, mark an X next to your chosen candidate, fold the ballot and present it to the poll officials who will tear off the ballot number and give you the ballot to deposit in the box.
Which federal political party is in power?
The Liberal Party.
Which party becomes the Official Opposition?
The party with the second most MPs (members of Parliament)
Which party is the Official Opposition at the federal level?
The Conservative Party
Who do Canadians vote for in a federal election?
A candidate they want to represent them in Parliamenth
Who do the Members of Parliament represent?
Everyone who lives in his or her electoral district
Who has the right to vote in federal elections?
Canadian citizens, 18 years or older and on voter’s lists
Who have major responsibilities on First Nations reserves?
Band chiefs and councillors
Who is Canada’s Head of State?
His Majesty King Charles III
Name the federal electoral districts in Vancouver, British Columbia
In Vancouver:
Vancouver Centre (1914–present)
Vancouver East (1933–present)
Vancouver Granville (2013–present)
Vancouver Kingsway (1952–1987), (1996–present)
Vancouver Quadra (1947–present)
Vancouver South (1914–1996), (2003–present)
Not in the City of Vancouver:
West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country (2004–present)
North Vancouver (1987–present)
