Government Ch1 Keys Flashcards
what is a democracy?
- comes from greek words meaning “rule by the ppl”
- gov ppl rule themselves
- is an ideal
what does a constitution do?
- limits power and what gov can and cannot do (all levels)
- ensures gov does not abuse power
what are human rights?
-referred as civil rights
-rights that are protected in the constitution without worry against discrimination
basic freedoms: speech, press, religion etc
what is the canadian charter of rights and freedom?
- protection of canadian citizens rights
- protects rights of minorities and mistreatment
what are multi-party (bi-partism) elections?
- voters have a choice of at least two of more political parties in electoral process
- if there is not at least two options, democracy cannot function
what is universal suffrage?
-right to vote?
why are judicial and political roles of gov separate?
-prevents gov from dismissing judge that may rule against gov
what is federal union?
-several levels of gov
role of canadian federal government?
- maintain order in society through laws and policing services
- provides services
- maintains rights and freedoms
what is the federal state?
- gov divided into three levels each level having authourity of different gov aspect
- leftover areas that did not exist in 1867 (residual powers) were given to fed gov
what is the legislative branch?
- also called parliament of legislature at prov level
- function to debate and make/amend laws
what is an unwritten constitution?
- customs borrowed from BR traditions
- customs, conventions, practices that have been made into law
what is a written constitution?
- all amendments to BNA act
- acts integrating all provinces into confederation
what is the election process? (6)
- call
- nominations
- voters list
- election campaign
- campaign controversy
- election day
what is the call of EP?
- GG dissolves parliament and calls election on request of PM
- usually after five year term but could be earlier to test support of ppl
- if called early, ruling party believes they can win at current point but not later
what is the nominations of EP?
-candidates submit nominations to go on ballot
what is the voters list of EP?
- chief creates voter list
- ensures votes are counted properly
what is the election campaign of EP?
- period of time where political parties and candidates promote their platform
- compete for public support
what is the campaign controversy of EP?
- candidates who feel they have a slipping chance of winning may publish nasty things about the leading candidate
- diverting attention away from real issues
what is the election day of EP?
-voters go to polling stations and cast of vote for the candidate of their choice
what are the civil rights of the charter? (7)
- fundemental freedoms
- democratic rights
- mobility rights
- legal rights
- equality rights
- language rights
- minority language educational rights
what does the canadien charter of rights and freedoms do?
-gives canadiens power to challenge in court for any law they feel is violating their rights that is in the charter
examples of democratic rights?
-right to vote in municipal, provincial, or federal election
examples of mobility rights?
- right to enter, remain, or leave canada
- right to move or live in any province
examples of legal rights?
- right to life, liberty, and security of person
- right to be secure against unreasonable search and seizure
- to be informed for why they are arrested detained
- to be presumed innocent until proven guilty
examples of equality rights?
-everyone is equal before and under law regardless of race, national/ethic origin, religion etc
examples of language rights?
-english and french language are in equal status in their use of institutions, parliament and gov
examples of fundemental freedoms?
- freedom of conscience and religion
- freedom for thought, belief, opinion, expression
examples of minority language educational rights?
- right to education in either french or english when there is demand
- province decision to provide education in minority language
