Civics Test #2

Question 1

Name four duties of the Governor General.

Answer 1

• Signing all bills into law, a process known as giving royal assent
• officially welcoming representatives of foreign governments to Canada
• reading the Speech from the Throne (government plans in a new session of parliament)
• promotes pride in and awareness of Canada

Question 2

List 3 duties of the Lieutenant Governor.

Answer 2

• signing bills into law
• reading the Speech from the Throne
• promoting the province

Question 3

What are 4 components to/duties of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers?

Answer 3

• Choosing the cabinet ministers is the PM’s job
• the cabinet must advise the PM
• the cabinet looks after departments like Health, Finance, Defence and Justice (done with the consultation of the PM
• All cabinet ministers must support cabinet decisions or resign

Question 4

List 4 components to/duties of the Premier and the Cabinet.

Answer 4

• cabinet ministers chosen by the Premier
• cabinet advises the Premier
• they do NOT manage portfolios of Defense, Foreign Affairs, Indian Affairs, or Veterans Affairs - only federal do this
• all cabinet ministers must support cabinet decisions or otherwise resign

Question 5

Describe the speaker of the house and their duties with 3 points.

Answer 5

• they are elected by all MPs
• they must be non-partisan (favouring no party)
• duty is to referee during debates in the House of Commons to enforce rules.

Question 6

What is the one main duty of the Senate?

Answer 6

Their duty is to block irresponsible bills that the House of Commons passes.

Question 7

Define criminal law.

Answer 7

This is the branch of law that deals with offences against society.

Question 8

What are 3 points that the Youth Criminal Justice Act states?

Answer 8

• The names of young criminals cannot be published
• the sentences of young criminals are less severe.
• the purpose of it is rehabilitation through restitution, fines, community service, etc.

Question 9

What age group qualifies as Youth Justice and will be sent to Juvenile Detention for offences?

Answer 9

Ages 12-17.

Question 10

What are bylaws?

Answer 10

They are:

• laws passed by local (municipal) government
• often affect your daily life, e.g. pooper scooper laws or road hockey laws.

Question 11

What do Ontario Human Rights guarantee?

Answer 11

These rights guarantee equal rights and oppurtunities in specific areas like jobs, housing, and services. The goal is to prevent discrimination based on sex, race, handicap, age, etc.

Question 12

Name 3 provincial and territorial laws/regulations.

Answer 12

1. Cannot drive without G1 at 16. Must wait 8 months (with driver’s ed) 1 year without to get G2. Must wait 1 year after G2 to get G.
2. Cannot drink until 19.
3. Cannot buy smokes until 19, Cigarettes must be hidden from view.

Question 13

How many seats must be won to acquire a majority government? minority government?

Answer 13

Majority government: 155 out of the 308 ridings - 50% + 1. Minority government: 50% or less.

Question 14

What is the advantage to a party who acquires a majority government?

Answer 14

Having a majority government means that they can make whatever decisions they want.

Question 15

In Canada, federal and provincial elections must be held every how many years?

Answer 15

Every 5 years.

Question 16

Municipal elections are held every how many years?

Answer 16

Every 3 years.

Question 17

Using income tax information, driver’s licences, and other sources containing citizens’ addresses, Elections Canada contacts voters who are on a __________ ___________ ______________.

Answer 17

permanent voters list.

Question 18

If a voter is unable to vote on election day (for travel or other reasons), the voter can vote ahead of time in a(n) ____________ _____________.

Answer 18

advanced poll.

Question 19

The term “franchise” means ____________.

Answer 19

the right to vote.

Question 20

In what year did Canadian women gain the right to vote?

Answer 20

1918

Question 21

In what year did Canadian citizens of Asian origin receive the vote?

Answer 21

1948

Question 22

In what year did Indians living on reserves receive the right to vote?

Answer 22

1960

Question 23

A Canadian citizen wishing to run for political office needs to collect the signatures of how many other citizens on the nomination form?

Answer 23

100

Question 24

A candidate for political office who is not a member of a political party is classified as an ____________.

Answer 24

independant

Question 25

The term “status quo” refers to…

Answer 25

the present conditions of society.

Question 26

This party values social order and tends to support traditional institutions such as the conventional family, religion and the military. Define this party as “left” or “right” ____________.

Answer 26

right.

Question 27

This party sees inequalities of income between people as too great. It believes that government should reduce these inequalities. Define this party as “left” or “right”

Answer 27

left

Question 28

What is the name of the Quebec-based separatist party that first elected members of the Houws of Commons in the 1990s?

Answer 28

Bloc Quebecois

Question 29

If a party wins one-half plus one of Canada’s ridings, this party forms what type of government?

Answer 29

majority

Question 30

If legeslation proposed by the government is defeated in Parliament, the prime minister and cabinet minister must do what?

Answer 30

they must resign.

Question 31

Name an interest group that pressures the government to pass laws to preserve the environment.

Answer 31

Greenpeace

Question 32

In the 1987 New Brunswick provincial election, the Liberal Party won how many of the province’s 58 seats?

Answer 32

58 (all)

Question 33

A form of direct democracy that allows voters rather than elected representatives to vote on a particular issue is called a ____________.

Answer 33

A referendum.

Question 34

When there are more than two parties running, the electoral system that allows one party to gain the majority of seats with less than a majority of the total votes cast is called __________.

Answer 34

FPTP

Question 35

When there are more than two parties running the electoral system that devides up the seats according to the total percentage of votes each party receives is called ___________.

Answer 35

PR (proportional representation)