Definitions Flashcards
Representative Democracy
When citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
Constitutional Monarchy
A form of government where the head of state has limited power but still represents Canada.
Constitution
A set of fundamental rules that determine how a country or state is run.
Governor general
The head of state representative of Canada.
Executive branch
administrates laws.
Legislative branch
Makes laws.
Judicial branch
applies laws.
Cabinet
A group that carries out executive functions of the government
House of Commons
introduces and debates legislative bills.
Caucus
A private meeting of the cabinet to discuss laws.
Solidarity
Agreeing with your parties decision publicly.
Bureaucracy
Another word for civil servants/public servants.
Free vote
where legislators are allowed to vote based on own personal opinion.
Speaker of the House
Maintains order and applies the rules of parliament to all.
Senate
serves a final check on the decisions made by the House of Commons
Office Opposition
Viewed as the caucus. Tasked with keeping the government in check.
Prime Minister
The head of canadas party and leader of governing party.
proportional representation
a principle that says the percentage of seats a party has should reflect the percentage of people who voted for that party.
First past the post system
Canadas current voting system. Whoever has the most votes wins.
socialism
An economic system in which industries are owned by workers rather than private businesses.
communism
a political theory advocating to a society in which all property is publicly owned.
Capitalism
An economic system based on the private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit.
fascism
A political belief that the strength of the country is more important than the well being of people.
liberalism
a political theory based on the rights of the individual liberty, consent of the governed, political equality, the right to private property, and equality before law.
conservatism
a political policy that promotes and preserves traditional customs and values.
chief
The head of a specific branch or department.
Band council
The governing body of a first nations band in Canada. Responsible for making sessions about the bands affairs.
shadow cabinet
The official opposition of the Cabinet.
Backbenchers
Members of the governing party that are not part of the council.
Triple E Senate
Elected, effective, and equal.
Justin Trudeau
Canadas prime minister.
The king
Our head of state. King Charles III.
Bill
The thing that happens before it becomes a law.
Royal assent
The last stage for a bill to become a law. Given by the governor general.
Premier
David Eby. Head of the provincial government and leads the new democratic party.
Consistency
“riding”
A region that has 100,000 voters in Canada. Votes and elects one MP. “rep by pop.”
Ballot
The paper used when voting during an election.
Candidate
People who are competing for a specific role or position through an election or selection process.
Campaign
An organized chorus of election to achieve a goal.
Mayor
Elected head of a city or town.
Councillors
A member of council.
Party Platform
The parties stand on their belief system.
Lieutenant-governor
Second highest official in a province, often acting as the governors representative.
Lieutenant-Governor
Second highest official in a state or province, often acting as the governors representative.
MP
Members of parliament
MLA
Members of legislative assembly.
Debate
A formal discussion or argument on a particular topic .
Party Whip
Ensure their members show up on time and are prepared.
Patronage
Loyalty to the prime minister.
Notwithstanding clause
Prevents court from invalidating a law that violates the charter or rights relating to fundamental rights, equality rights, and legal rights.
Pressure groups
An organized group of people who try to influence the government policy on a particular issue.
Lobbyists
someone hired by a business or a cause to persuade legislators to support that business or cause.
Civil disobedience
The act of refusing or disobeying certain laws or demands of government or other authority.
Amending formula
Changing the constitution.
Legislative assembly
Members of parliament on a provincial level.
Majority
A government that has more than half the total number of seats.
Minority
Ruling party has more seats than any other party. But other parties combined has more seats.
Coalition
A formal alliance of political parties.
Residual powers
The powers that remain with a government after it has given some powers to other authorities.
