Final Test Review Flashcards
Unit 1 & 2
What is democracy in political party settings?
Democracy allows for Canadians to elect representatives (MPs) into the house of Commons; political parties bring together people with the same political ideas. By taking part in an election, parties hope to get as many of their members as possible into a representative body, like parliament or a municipal council.
What are checks and balances?
Responsibilities of governments are equally distributed so that one group does not assume the most power.
example of an analogy for checks and balances.
Three friends planning a trip together. Each has a different role to make sure the trip goes smoothly. One friend makes the itinerary, compiling plans of what to do and where to go. This is like the legislative branch, which makes the laws. Another friend drives the car and makes sure they follow the itinerary accordingly. This friend is like the executive branch, that enforces the laws. The third friend checks the maps and makes sure they’re on the right path. If they take a wrong turn, the friend helps correct it. This is like the judicial branch which interprets the law and ensures that they are followed correctly. Just like the three friends need to work together to check each other to have a successful trip, the three branches of government need to balance each other to run the country effectively.
What does the executive branch do?
Administers laws
Set government policies
Suggest and draft new laws
administer, implement, and enforce laws & policies
Which political figures are involved in the executive branch?
Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, Ministries, and Civil Servants
What does the legislative branch do?
Makes laws
Represent citizens’ interest in the government
Debate and vote on new laws
Monitor government policies and actions
Which political figures are involved in the legislative branch?
Elected members of parliament (338 MPs) and appointed members of the Senate (105 senators)
What does the judicial branch do?
Applies laws
Interprets and applies laws through court cases and decisions
Strike down laws that are unconstitutional (violate people’s rights)
Which political figures are involved in the judicial branch?
Judges and courts
What are Canada’s fundamental freedoms?
a) freedom of conscience and religion;
b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;
c) freedom of peaceful assembly (i.e. protest, demonstrations); and
d) freedom of association (i.e. be part of a club).
What is self governing in the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples?
Self-governing First Nations can make their own laws and policies and have decision-making power in a broad range of matters. This includes matters internal to their communities and integral to their cultures and traditions.
What are the main ideas of the United Nations Declarations of Human Rights?
The UNDHP details thirty basic human needs that are inherent to all humans. For example: 1 We are born free and equal, and should treat others in the same way, 20 We all have the right to meet our friends and work together in peace to defend our rights. It is wrong to force someone to belong to a group, or 14 If someone hurts us, we have the right to go to another country and ask for protection.
What is the rule of law?
The notion that the same law applies to all canadian citizens regardless of their physical characteristics
What is the purpose of a commemoration?
Commemoration marks important events, moments, or people. It is meant to make us consider the past which has helped shape our modern society (e.g., through ceremony, celebration, street signs, etc.).
What are problematic commemorations?
Problematic commemorations are commemorations that have a problematic history behind them; this often includes racism, violence, discrimination, ignorance, or inappropriate age relationships.
