Controversy & Change

Question 1

Executive Branch

Answer 1

[Implements and enforces laws/policies]
- The King
- The Governor General
- The Prime Minister
- The Cabinet

Question 2

Legislative Branch

Answer 2

Develops laws through writing, debating and passing them
- UPPER HOUSE: SENATE
- LOWER HOUSE: House of Commons (MPs & a multipartite system)

LH = government party members and opposition parties

Question 3

Juducial Branch

Answer 3

[To interpret, practice and asses laws once they receive Royal Assent]
1. Supreme Court Judges
2. Lower Court Judges

Question 4

Prime Minister

Answer 4

• Head of government and represents the party who has been elected
• Lead executive branch and set government policy

Question 5

Cabinet

Answer 5

• A group of ministers chosen by the Prime Minster
• Makes decisions of national issues
• Proposes legislation to parliament

Question 6

Canadian Parliament

Answer 6

• House of Commons is the lower house of parliament
• Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected by citizens in their consitituencies.
• Debate, propose and vote on legislation and represent the electorate.

Question 7

Senate

Answer 7

• Upper house of Parliament
• Appointed by the Govenor General on the advice of the Prime Minister
• Review, revise and suggest improvements to legislation passed by the House of Commons
• Ensures regional representation

Question 8

5 Main Political Parties

Answer 8

1. Liberal Party = Justin Trudeau
2. Conservative Party = Pierre Poilievre
3. NDP = Jagmeet Singh
4. Bloc Quebecois: Yves-Francois Blanchet
5. Green Party = Elizabeth May

Question 9

How many ridings or constituencies are there in Canada right now?

Answer 9

• 338 Ridings/Constituencies (each of around 100,000 people depending on geographic sizes)
• Majority of ridings are located in Ontario and Quebec giving them significant political influence upon federal elections

Question 10

How do people get elected to the House of Commons?

Answer 10

• Single-member Constituency or, “First-past-the-post”
• Voters in each riding elect one MP
• The candidate with the most votes in a riding wins the seat
• A party needs 170 out of 338 to form a majority government

Question 11

What are the power benefits if someone wins a federal election?

Answer 11

• Pass legislation more easily without needing support from other parties
• Greater control over parliamentary committes and the legislative agenda

Question 12

What makes a minority government weak and what must they do to stay in power?

Answer 12

1. When they lack enough seats to pass legislation without support from other parties
2. To stay in power, a minority Prime Minister must negotiate and form agreements or alliances with opposition parties

Question 13

How does one become a senator? Any political problems with this process?

Answer 13

• Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister
• Process can be seen as undemocratic as it’s not based on public elections

Question 14

What is a party policy, and how does it affect federal law?

Answer 14

• Formal stance or proposal on an issue devloped by a political party
• Serves as a blueprint for the party’s legistlative and governmental agneda
• Shapes federal laws

Question 15

How do federal political parties develop their policies?

Answer 15

1. Member contributions at conventions
2. Policy Committes and research teams
3. Input from stakeholders and interest groups
4. Ratification at party conventions