How Canadians Govern Themselves Flashcards by Maria Díaz

3 key facts about Canada’s system of government

Country with parliamentary democracy, federal state and constitutional monarchy

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

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

1867
British North America Act (Constitution Act)

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What kind of matters are responsibility of Federal government?

National AND international concern
Defence
Foreign policy
Interprovincial trade and comms
Currency
Navigation
Criminal Law
Citizenship

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are the responsibilities of the provinces?

Municipal government
Education
Health
Natural resources
Property and civil rights
Highways

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What matters are shared federal and provincial jurisdiction?

Agriculture and immigration

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What does Federalism mean?

Allows provinces to adopt policies tailored to their populations, flexibility to experiment with new ideas

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

True or false: every province has its own elected Legislative Assembly?

True

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What does parliamentary democracy mean?

People elect members of the House of Commons in Ottawa, and provincial and territorial legislatures.
Representatives pass laws, approve and monitore expenditures, and keep government accountable

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

How can Cabinet ministers retain the “confidence of the House”?

Responsible to the elected representatives, have to resign if defeated in non-confidence vote

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are the three parts of the Parliament?

Sovereign
Senate
House of Commons

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are the parts of provincial legislatures?

Lieutenant Governor
Elected Assembly

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Who selects the Cabinet ministers in the federal government?

The Prime Minister

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

How often are Members of Parliament (House of Commons) elected?

Every 4 years

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Who appoints the Senators, until what age can they serve?

The Governor General (on Prime Minister’s advice)
75 years old

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Who CONSIDER and REVIEW bills (new law proposals)?

House of Commons and Senate

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What needs to happen for a bill to become law?

Passed by both chambers
Received royal assent, granted by Gov. General on behalf of Sovereign

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Legislative process for a bill to become law? (7 steps)

First reading - Read for 1st time, printed
Second reading - Members debate bill’s principle
Committee Stage - Committee members study bill clause by clause
Report Stage - Members can make other amendments
Third reading - Members debate and vote on the bill
Senate - Similar process in Senate
Royal Assent - Bill receives royal assent after being passed by both Houses

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What’s a right and responsibility of Canadian citizens living in a democracy?

Participate in decision-making by voting in federal, provincial or territorial and municipal elections

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What’s the role of the Sovereign in the Parliament?

Part of it, playing a non-partisan role as the focus of citizenship and allegiance, during royal visits.

Examples of constitutional monarchies?

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

Representant of Sovereign in Canada? For how long?

Governor General, appointed on advice of Prime Minister
5 years

Representant of the Sovereign in ten provinces? Who appoints and for how long?

Lieutenant Governor
Governor General on the advice of Prime Minister
5 years

What is the role of 3 branches of government? Who forms part of each?

Work together in creative tension, help to secure rights and freedoms of Canadians
Executive - Prime Minister and Cabinet
Legislative - Senate and House of Commons
Judicial - Supreme Court of Canada (9 judges, appointed by Governor General), Federal Court of Canada and Provincial Courts

What do provincial and territorial elected legislatures do? How are their members called?

Pass provincial and territorial laws
MLA - Members of Legislative Assembly
MNA (Quebec) - Members of National Assembly
MPP (Ontario) - Members of Provincial Parliament
MHA (Newfoundland and Labrador) - Members of the House of Assembly

Equivalent of Prime Minister in provincial and territorial governments?

Premier, in provinces Commissioner, in territories

Who do Canadians vote for? Can they be re-elected? What are other names they are known as?

Members of the House of Commons Yes, reelection is allowed Members of Parliament MPs

When are Federal Elections held in Canada?

Third Monday of October every four years following the most recent election Prime Minister may ask Governor General to call an earlier election

How many electoral districts are there in Canada? What are they? How are they also known as?

308 Ridings or Constituencies Geographical area represented by an MP

Who can run for office in a federal election? How are they called? Can there be more than one? How do they win?

Canadian citizens 18yo or older Candidates Yes, there can be many candidates in an electoral district The candidate receiving the most votes becomes MP of that district

Who is elegible to vote in a federal election/federal referendum?

Canadian citizen 18yo on voting day On the voters' list

How is the voters list produced?

National Register of Electors by neutral agency of Parliament: Elections Canada Permanent database of Canadian citizens 18yo+ qualified to vote

What does Elections Canada do once election is called?

Mails voter information card to each elector in the National Register of Electors, with when and where you vote and number to call for special services

Can you still be added to the voters list any time? Even on election day? Even under what other conditions?

Yes, even on election day, and even if you choose not to be listed in NRE or didn't receive voter information card.

Where do you go to vote on election day or at advance polls?

Polling station listed on voter information card

What happens after the polling stations close? Where are the results announced?

Election officers count the ballots On radio, TV and newspapers, and on Elections Canada website

How is the government formed after an election?

Leader of political party with most seats in House of Commons invited by Governor General, leader becomes Prime Minister.

What is a majority and minority government?

Majority: At least half of the seats in the House of Commons Minority: Less than half of the seats in the House of Commons

For how long will the Prime Minister and party run the government?

As long as they have CONFIDENCE (support) of the majority of MPs. When voting on major government decisions, if majority of members vote against the party in power is defeated, Prime Minister asks Governor General (on behalf of Sovereign) to call an election.

Who chooses the Cabinet ministers (ministers of the Crown)? What do they do? What are they called along with the Prime Minister?

The Prime Minister, mostly among members of House of Commons Running federal government departments, prepare budget and propose most new laws The Cabinet

How is the opposition party with the most members of the House of Commons known as? What's the role of the opposition parties? Which are the political parties represented in the House of Commons?

Official Opposition or His Majesty's Loyal Opposition Peacefully oppose or improve government proposals Liberal Party (157) Conservative Party (117) New Democratic Party (25) Bloc Quebecois (32) Green Party (2)

What can I do if I didn't receive a voter information card?

Call local elections office to ensure you are on the voters' list, or call Elections Canada (Ottawa)

Who passes by-laws and what are these? How is a council conformed? What are the responsibilities of municipalities?

Municipal governments, laws that affect only the local community Mayor/Reeve and councillors or aldermen Urban or regional planning, streets and roads, sanitation (garbage removal), snow removal, firefighting, ambulance, emergency services, recreation facilities, public transit, local health and social services

Who has municipal police forces?

Most major urban centres

Are the rules the same for provincial/territorial or municipal elections compared to a federal election?

No, although they are all held by secret ballot

Responsibilities of Federal government (Parliament)?

National Defence Foreign Policy Citizenship Policing Criminal Justice International Trade Aboriginal Affairs Immigration (shared with Provincial/Territorial) Agriculture (shared with Provincial/Territorial) Environment (shared with Provincial/Territorial)

Responsibilities of Provincial/Territorial Government (Assemblies)?

Education Health Care Natural Resources Highways Policing (Ontario, Quebec) Property and Civil Rights Immigration (shared with Provincial/Territorial) Agriculture (shared with Provincial/Territorial) Environment (shared with Provincial/Territorial)

Who are band chiefs and councillors?

First Nations representatives with major responsibilities on reserves, including housing, school and other services

How Canadians Govern Themselves Flashcards

Pages 28-29