Government Flashcards
What are three key facts about Canada’s system of government?
Canada is a federal state, a parliamentary democracy, and a constitutional monarchy.
What are the three levels of Canadian government?
Federal, provincial (or territorial) and municipal.
What is the Constitution Act?
It is a document that explains the responsibilities of the federal and provincial government.
What are 10 things the federal government is responsible for?
National defence (the army), currency, foreign policy, citizenship, the RCMP, criminal justice, international trade, Aboriginal affairs, trading and communications between provinces, and national transportation.
What is a parliamentary democracy?
When citizens vote in democratic elections, and elected politicians go to parliament to make laws.
What is a non-confidence vote?
When the majority of elected representatives in the House of Commons vote that they are not confident that cabinet ministers are doing their job. This leads to an election.
What are the 3 parts of parliament?
The Sovereign, Senate and House of Commons.
Who is the current Sovereign and Head of State?
Queen Elizabeth II
What 2 groups consider and review bills?
The Senate and the House of Commons.
Are Senators elected or appointed?
Appointed by the Governor General.
Are MPs elected or appointed?
Elected by Canadians.
What is a constitutional monarchy?
When a Head of State (king or queen) helps to maintain the rule of law that is in the Constitution.
What is the Commonwealth?
A group of 52 countries who are loyal to the Queen.
Who is the Head of State?
The Sovereign (King or Queen).
Who is the Head of Government?
The Prime Minister.
Who is the Governor General?
The Queen’s representative in Canada (federal government).
Name two recent Governor Generals.
David Johnston and Julie Payette
What is a Lieutenant Governor?
The representative of the Queen in a province.
Who was the 28th Governor General?
David Johnston
When was Vincent Massey the Governor General?
1952-1959
When was Roland Michener the Governor General?
1967-1974
How many steps are there before a bill becomes a law?
Seven
What is the process of royal assent?
When a bill is approved by the Governor General after being passed by both Houses.
When do members debate the bill?
During Step 2 - Second Reading.
Step 2 - Second Reading
Members of the House of Commons debate the ideas in the bill.
Step 3 - Committee Stage
Committee members study the bill very carefully.
Step 4 - Report Stage
Members can make other amendments.
Step 5 - Third Reading
Members debate and vote on the bill.
When does the Senate get to approve the bill?
During Step 6.
Step 6 - Senate
The bill follows a similar process in the Senate.
Step 7 - Royal Assent
The bill is approved by the Governor General after it is passed by both Houses (the House of Commons and the Senate).
What is the abbreviation for the members of the House of Assembly?
MHA.
What is the abbreviation for the members of the Provincial Legislature?
MLA
What is the abbreviation for the members of the National Assembly?
MNA
What is the abbreviation for the members of the Provincial Parliament?
MPP
What kind of legislature does Manitoba have?
Provincial legislature
What are the names for First Nations elected officials?
Band chiefs and councillors.
What are municipal laws called?
By-Laws.
Who are the two people who are elected at the municipal level of government?
Mayor or reeve and councillors or aldermen
What are the three branches of government?
The Executive Branch, the Legislative Branch, and the Judicial Branch.
Who represents the Sovereign in Canada?
The Governor General.
Who recommends the senators?
The Prime Minister.
What are the two kinds of members in the House of Commons?
Government members and opposition members.
What is the highest level of court in Canada?
The Supreme Court of Canada.
How many judges are appointed?
Nine
Who appoints the judges to the Supreme Court?
The Governor General.
What are the two courts under the Supreme Court of Canada?
Federal Court of Canada, Provincial Courts.
What are the three parts of the Executive Branch?
The Governor General, the cabinet, and the administration.
What are the three parts of the Legislative Branch?
The Governor General, the House of Commons and the Senate.
What is the role of the Executive Branch?
This is the decision-making branch.
What is the role of the Legislative Branch?
To create laws.
