Government Quiz

Question 1

Minority Government

Answer 1

A government where the ruling party has the most seats in the House of Commons but not a majority. Less than 170 seats

Question 2

Majority Government

Answer 2

A government where the ruling party has more than half the seats in the House of Commons. more than 170 seats

Question 3

Coalition Government

Answer 3

A government formed when two or more parties agree to work together to hold a majority.

Question 4

Prorogue

Answer 4

Dissolution of government, usually done every 4 years

Question 5

Dropping the Writ

Answer 5

When the governor-general announces the election

Question 6

Riding

Answer 6

A geographical area represented by a Member of Parliament (also called an electoral district)

Question 7

Popular Vote

Answer 7

Percentage of votes a party gets

Question 8

Gerrymandering

Answer 8

Changing the borders of a riding

Question 9

Vote of Non-Confidence

Answer 9

A confidence motion asks all members of parliament to vote on whether or not they have confidence in the incumbent Prime Minister and their party

Question 10

Nomination

Answer 10

The process of selecting a candidate to represent a political party in an election

Question 11

Campaigning

Answer 11

The activities political parties and candidates do to gain support before an election (try to sell party platform)

Question 12

Tabulation

Answer 12

The process of counting and recording votes after an election

Question 13

Enumeration

Answer 13

The creation of the voter’s list

Question 14

Balloting

Answer 14

Vote cast by a Canadian citizen based upon universal suffrage (right to vote)

Question 15

Proxy Vote

Answer 15

A vote cast on behalf of someone else who is unable to vote in person

Question 16

Party Solidarity

Answer 16

The expectation that members of a political party vote together on key issues

Question 17

Scrutineer

Answer 17

Every party can send a person to oversee the counting of the ballots

Question 18

Chief Electoral Officer

Answer 18

Is hired to drop the writ and regulate the boundaries of the constituency

Question 19

Elections Canada

Answer 19

Election management of Canada (is independent)

Question 20

Party Whip

Answer 20

A party official is responsible for ensuring that members follow party policies and vote together

Question 21

Vetting

Answer 21

The process of thoroughly checking a candidate’s background before nomination

Question 22

Plurality

Answer 22

Party wins more ridings than any other party but not more than 50% of the total votes (not a majority)

Question 23

Caucus

Answer 23

All members of the same party

Question 24

Universal Suffrage

Answer 24

Right to vote, regardless of gender, race, social status

Question 25

Age of Majority

Answer 25

When you can vote (18)

Question 26

Party Platform

Answer 26

List of goals/promises/policies that the party has and says they will do (a lot of times they never do it)

Question 27

Ratify

Answer 27

Approved (usually by the leader in this context)

Question 28

Incumbent

Answer 28

Someone currently holding office

Question 29

Acclamation

Answer 29

Winning an election unopposed when no other candidates are running

Question 30

Parliamentary Wing

Answer 30

Also known as party caucus

Question 31

Extra-parliamentary Wing

Answer 31

Party officials and workers, including constituency associations, provincial associations, national associations

Question 32

Absentee Voter

Answer 32

Someone who cannot vote on the official voting day

Question 33

Mandate

Answer 33

The authority given to an elected group of people, such as a government, to perform an action or govern a country

Question 34

Crossing the Floor

Answer 34

When an MP switches parties

Question 35

Returning Officer

Answer 35

Each riding has one and these guys make the voting list for the riding (who can vote for that specific riding) as well as managing the polling station

Question 36

Polling Station

Answer 36

Where voting in person is done

Question 37

Ballot / Ballot Box

Answer 37

Marked ballots are placed into the ballot box

Question 38

First Past the Post

Answer 38

An electoral system where the candidate with the most votes in a riding wins, even without a majority

Question 39

Proportional Representation

Answer 39

The percentage of votes one gets is the percentage of seats they get

Question 40

Ranked Ballot / Single Transferable Vote

Answer 40

Any voting system that uses voters' rankings of candidates to choose a single winner or multiple winners.