Civics chapter's 4 & 5 Review Flashcards
who is Shannon Koostachin and what did she do
-8th grade first nations who attended a school that was cold in the winter and had mold issues
-there portables where meant to be temporary until a new school was built into a diesel line
-when they found out their wasn’t enough money to build a new school, she and her classmates began a campaign called Students Helping Students Campaign, which informed others about the underfunding of First Nations education in Canada
-she engaged in more activism and was nominated for the Children’s noble peace prize
-she passed away in a car crash and family continued raising awareness for Shannnon’s Dream
-through Shannon’s Dream, a motion to the underfunding of education on reserves was launched in Parliament.
What is a constitution and why is it important in a democracy?
a constitution is a formal set of rules, principles, and procedures for running a country. (how a country is and how its people is governed). Its important in a democracy because it explains the rules and functions of the government, acts as a supreme law of Canada, and explains the rights of citizens.
what is required to change the constitution
approval of the federal government and at least 7 provinces representing 50% of the population. Called amending formula.
What is treaty and what did they cover
a formal agreement between Aboriginal peoples and the federal government.
they covered trade, defense, use of resources, and access to land
3 federal, provincial, and shared responsibilities
federal - defense, international trade, citizenship
provincial - education, marriage, healthcare
shared - agriculture, immigration, jails & courts
3 branches of government
executive - carry out the business of government
legislative - make laws
judicial - interpret and enforce laws
responsibilities of an MP
-attend sessions of the house of commons
-represent the views of the voters and their party during debates
-participate in parliamentary committees
-ask questions of the prime minister and other cabinet ministers
three similarities of a premier and a prime minister
-head of government
-leaders of their political parties
-responsible for choosing their cabinet and running the meetings
what is the role of the crown at the federal and provincial level
provincial - lietenant-governor
-edith dumont
-dissolves, prorogues and summons the legislature at the premier’s request
-reads speech from the throne
-swears in the premier, minster, and other officials
-grants royal asset make bills into laws
-advises the premier
federal - governor general
- mary simon
-dissolves, prorogues and summons the legislature at the premier’s request
-reads speech from the throne
-swears in the premier, minister, and other officials
-grants royal assent to make bills into laws
-advises the prime minster
how is a cabinet chosen and who chooses it
cabinet ministers are appointed by the MP or premier at their levels of government.
role of the senate
reviewing laws - review laws made in house of commons and suggest improvements. can also introduce bills to be passed into law
representing regional interests - certain # of senators are appointed from each region, allowing regions to have a voice in the passing of laws, and limits the power of more populated parts of the country.
providing stability to the government - serve until 75, so members do not have to be re-elected every 5 years. these appointments allow senators to concentrate on the business of the government rather than party politics.
2 reasons why senate should be abolished and 2 why it should be elected
abolished
-senators are appointed not elected
-very difficult to remove them if they are not doing their job properly
elected
-represents regions, so it balances power among regions
-provide stability to the government
prorogue parliament
to end the current session
dissolve parliament
to terminate parliament and every seat in the house of commons becomes vacant
how can citizens be involved in law making
-voting
-lobbying
-joining interest groups
what is MADD an example of and how have they created changes in the law
-ex of interest group: group the strongly supports a particular cause
-also considered lobbyist groups cause they try to influence the government to pass certain laws
-mothersagainst drunk drivers: they aim to prevent drunk driving, hold affenders accountable, and help victims by enforcing more laws and creating breathilizer decices in cars
what are the steps involved in how a bill becomes a law (7)
-introduction and first reading: bill introduces in house of commons or senate by the government. bill is given a number and is public
-second reading: MP/MPPs debate and vote on the main ideas of the bill (public too)
-committee stage: committee studies the bill, looking for errors and other problems
-report stage: committee reports its findings, and the problems are corrected
-third reading: revised bill is debated and voted on
-bill goes to the senate: at federal level, bill is senate and goes through the same process
-royal assent: at federal level, bill becomes a law when signed by the governor general. at provincial level, it becomes a law when signed by the lieutenant governor
3 reasons why young people should vote and 3 reasons why they should not
why
-representation: youths voice in politics
-impact: directly influence laws and choices that effect their lives
-civic duty: opportunity to contribute to the running of their community
not
-disappointment: feeling vote would have no impact
-accessible barriers: inconvenient locations, long lines, registration
-lack of information: unaware about political issues or candidates
criteria to become a politican
must be 18 years <18 years old and a Canadian citizen.
party platform
set of ideas and promises created during an election to explain a party’s position on important issues
political spectrum and how does it reflect political ideology
political spectrum: a system for classifying political beliefs, often on a left to right
political ideology: set of beliefs about how a society should work and about the role of the government in relation to economic, social, and moral affairs
list the idea of each major parties in Canada
PC
-smaller limited government
-supports lower taxes for people & buissnesses
-increased spending on military
-harsh treatment for law breakers
LIBERAL
-balance between public sector and private buisiness
-socially progressive: supports change in traditional values
-supports social programs such as health care and old age pension
NDP
-econimic equality
-spending on social programs
-taxing large corporations and wealthy
-wide range of rights
-ties to orgranized labour such as unions
why do regional and protest parties exist? provide ex of both
regional: due to Canada’s geographical size, political parties focus on a particular region ex. Quebecois
protest: platform addresses one issue of cause. ex: Marijuana party of canada -> supports legalization of cannabis
how does media play an important role in how citizens perceive politicians
covering, interpreting, and framing political events and actions, the media changes the publics perception of politician and affects public opinion and electoral outcomes
