Goverment Flashcards
(19 cards)
Governments
Federal, provincial, territorial and municipal
Constitution Act
The responsibilities of the federal and provincial governments were defined in 1867 in the British North America Act, now known as the Constitution Act, 1867.
Canada’s System
There are three key facts about Canada’s system of government: our country is a federal state, a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy.
Federal state
In our federal state, the federal government takes responsibility for matters of national and international concern. These include defence, foreign policy, interprovincial trade and communications, currency, navigation, criminal law and citizenship.
Parliament
Parliament has three parts: the Sovereign (Queen or King), the Senate and the House of Commons.
Prime Minister
selects the Cabinet ministers and is responsible for the operations and policy of the government.
The House of Commons
is the representative chamber, made up of members of Parliament elected by the people, traditionally every four years.
Senators
are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister and serve until age 75.
Canadas head of state
As a constitutional monarchy, Canada’s Head of State is a hereditary Sovereign (Queen or King),
Head of government
-the Prime Minister, who actually directs the governing of the country.
Governor general
The Sovereign is represented in Canada by the Governor General, who is appointed by the Sovereign on the advice of the Prime Minister, usually for five years.
Lieutenant governor
In each of the ten provinces, the Sovereign is represented by the Lieutenant Governor, who is appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the PM also normally for 5 yrs
Branches of Government
the Executive, Legislative and Judicial
How a bill becomes a law
STEP 1 First Reading - The bill is considered read for the first time and is printed.
STEP 2 Second Reading - Members debate the bill’s principle.
STEP 3 Committee Stage - Committee members study the bill clause by clause.
STEP 4 Report Stage - Members can make other amendments.
STEP 5 Third Reading - Members debate and vote on the bill.
STEP 6 Senate - The bill follows a similar process in the Senate.
STEP 7 Royal Assent - The bill receives royal assent after being passed by both Houses.
Premier
In each province, the Premier has a role similar to that of the Prime Minister in the federal government, just as the Lieutenant Governor has a role similar to that of the Governor General.
Commissioner
represents the federal government and plays a ceremonial role.
Majority government
the leader of this party becomes the Prime Minister. If the party in power holds at least half of the seats in the House of Commons, this is called a majority government.
Minority government
If the party in power holds less than half of the seats in the House of Commons, this is called a minority government.
Major political parties
currently represented in the House of Commons: the Conservative Party, the New Democratic Party, and the Liberal Party.
