How Canadians Govern Themselves

Question 1

What are the three key facts about Canada’s system of government?

Answer 1

Our country is a:
(1) Federal state
(2) Parliamentary democracy
(3) Constitutional monarchy

Question 2

What 4 government types are there in Canada?

Answer 2

Federal
Provincial
Territorial
Municipal

Question 3

When were the responsibilities of the federal and provincial governments defined ?

Answer 3

In 1867 in the British North America Act, now known as the Constitution Act, 1867.

Question 4

What does the federal government take responsibility for?

Answer 4

For matters of national and international concern. These include defence, foreign policy, interprovincial trade and communications, currency, navigation, criminal law and citizenship

Question 5

What are the provinces responsible for?

Answer 5

Municipal government, education, health, natural resources, property and civil rights, and highways.

Question 6

What does the federal government and the provinces share jurisdiction over?

Answer 6

Agriculture and immigration

Question 7

What does every province have?

Answer 7

Its own elected Legislative Assembly, like the House of Commons in Ottawa. The three northern territories, which have small populations, do not have the status of provinces, but their governments and assemblies carry out many of the same functions.

Question 8

What happens in Canada’s parliamentary democracy?

Answer 8

The people elect members to the House of Commons in Ottawa and to the provincial and territorial legislatures. These representatives are responsible for passing laws, approving and monitoring expenditures, and keeping the government accountable.

Question 9

What do Cabinet ministers do?

Answer 9

They are responsible to the elected representatives, which means they must retain the “confidence of the House” and have to resign if they are defeated in a non-confidence vote.

Question 10

What three parts does Parliament have?

Answer 10

The Sovereign (Queen or King), the Senate and the House of Commons.

Question 11

What do Provincial legislatures comprise?

Answer 11

The Lieutenant Governor and the elected Assembly.

Question 12

What does the Prime Minister do in the federal government?

Answer 12

Selects the Cabinet ministers and is responsible for the operations and policy of the government.

Question 13

What does the House of Commons do?

Answer 13

It is the representative chamber, made up of members of Parliament elected by the people, traditionally every four years.

Question 14

What are senetors?

Answer 14

They are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister and serve until age 75.

Question 15

How do bills become laws in Canada?

Answer 15

Both the House of Commons and the Senate consider and review bills (proposals for new laws). No bill can become law in Canada until it has been passed by both chambers and has received royal assent, granted by the Governor General on behalf of the Sovereign.

Question 16

What are the steps for a bill to become law?

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

What is Canada’s Head of State?

Answer 17

It is a hereditary Sovereign (Queen or King), who reigns in accordance with the Constitution: the rule of law.

Question 18

What is the Sovereign?

Answer 18

It is a part of Parliament, playing an important, non-partisan role as the focus of citizenship and allegiance, most visibly during royal visits to Canada. Her Majesty is a symbol of Canadian sovereignty, a guardian of constitutional freedoms, and a reflection of our history

Question 19

How many nations does the Sovereign link Canada to as Head of Commonwealth?

Answer 19

53 other nations

Question 20

What are some other constitutional monarchies?

Answer 20

Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Spain, Thailand, Japan, Jordan and Morocco

Question 21

Who is the head of state and the head of government?

Answer 21

The Sovereign and the Prime Minister

Question 22

How is the Sovereign represented in Canada?

Answer 22

By the Governor General, who is appointed by the Sovereign on the advice of the Prime Minister, usually for five years.

Question 23

Who is the Lieutenant Governor?

Answer 23

n 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 Prime Minister, also normally for five years.

Question 24

What are the three branches of government?

Answer 24

Executive, Legislative and Judicial

Question 25

What is the elected legislature?

Answer 25

Each provincial and territorial government has an elected legislature where provincial and territorial laws are passed.

Question 26

What are the members of legislatures called?

Answer 26

members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), members of the National Assembly (MNAs), members of the Provincial Parliament (MPPs) or members of the House of Assembly (MHAs), depending on the province or territory.

Question 27

What is the Premier?

Answer 27

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.

Question 28

What is the Comissioner?

Answer 28

In the three territories, the Commissioner represents the federal government and plays a ceremonial role.