How Canadians Govern Themselves Flashcards
What are all the levels of governments in Canada?
Federal, provincial, territorial and municipal
When and in what document were the responsibilities of the federal and provincial governments defined?
in 1867 in the British North American Act, now known as the Constitution Act 1867
What does the federal government take responsibility for?
matters of international and national concern, such defense, foreign policy, interprovicial trade and communications, currency, navigation, criminal law and citizenship
What are the provinces responsible for governing?
municipal government, education, health, natural resources, property and civil rights, and highways
What does the federal and provincial governments share responsibility over?
agriculture and immigration
What happens in a parliamentary democracy?
the people elect members to the House of Commons in Ottawa and to the provincial and territorial legislatures
What are the representatives of the House of Commons responsible for?
passing laws, approving and monitoring expenditures and keeping the government accountable
What are cabinet ministers responsible for?
they are responsible to the elected representatives, which means they must retain the ‘confidence of the house’ and must resign if they are defeated in a non-confidence vote
What are the three parts of Parliament
Sovereign, Senate and House of Commons
What do the provincial legislatures comprise?
the Lieutenant Governor and the elected Assembly
In the Federal Government, who selects the Cabinet ministers and is responsible for operations and policy of the government?
The Prime Minister
How are Senators appointed?
By the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister and serve until age 75
Explain the steps in how a bill becomes law - the legislative process
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 build 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
What is the minimum voting age in Canada?
18
What kind of elections can Canadians participate in?
Federal, Provincial or Territorial, and Municipal
What part of the government is the sovereign a part of?
Parliament
What role does the Sovereign play in government?
non-partisan role as the focus of citizenship and allegiance - a symbol of Canadian sovereignty, a guardian of constitutional freedoms, and a reflection of our history
What are examples of other constitutional monarchies besides Canada?
Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Spain, Thailand, Japan, Jordan and Morocco
Who is the head of State and Head of Government
Head of State: Sovereign
Head of Government: Prime Minister
Who represents the Sovereign in Canada?
The Governor General, who is appointed by the Sovereign on the advice of the Prime Ministerh
What is the usual term of office for the Governor General?
5 years
Who represents the Sovereign in each of the 10 provinces?
The Lieutenant Governor, who is appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister, usually for 5 years
What are the three branches of Canadian government?
Executive, Legislative, Judicial (checks and balances like in USA)
What are the members of the elected legislatures in the provinces called?
“Members of the Legislative Assembly” (MLAs)
“Members of the National Assembly” (MNAs)
“Members of the Provincial Parliament” (MPPs)
“Members of the House of Assembly” (MHAs)
(depends on province or territory)
Who has a role similar to the Prime Minister in each province
The Premier
Who represents the federal government in the Territories and plays a ceremonial role?
The Commissioner
Who make up the Executive Branch in the federal government?
Prime Minister and Cabinet
Who do Canadians vote for in elections?
the people they want to represent them in the House of Commons
What are Members of the House of Commons called?
“Members of Parliament” or MPs
When must federal elections be held?
The third Monday in October every four years following the most recent general election
Who may ask the Governor General to call an earlier election?
The Prime Minister
How many electoral districts (ridings/constituencies) is Canada divided into?
308
What is an electoral district?
A geographical area represented by a Member of Parliament (MP)
What is the minimum age to run in a federal election?
18
What makes one eligible to vote in Canada?
be 18, be a canadian citizen, be on the voters’ list
What agency produces the voters’ list and from where?
Elections Canada produces it from The National Register of Electors
When can someone be added to the voters’ list
Any time, even on election day
What kind of ballot does Canadian law secure the right to?
A secret ballot
What happens after an election?
The leader of the political party with the most seats in the House of Commons is invited by the Governor General to form the government
Who becomes the Prime Minister
Usually the leader of the party with the most seats, appointed by the Governor General
What is required to have a “majority government”
If the party in power has at least half of the seats in the House of Commons
What is required to have a “minority government”
If the party in power has less than half of the seats in the House of Commons
What is required for the Prime Minister and the party in power to run the government?
The confidence of the majority of the MPs
What happens if a majority of the members of the House of Commons vote against a major government decision (such as the budget)?
The art in power is defeated, and usually the PM asks the Governor General, on behalf of the Sovereign to call an election
Who chooses the ministers of the Crown (Cabinet Ministers)
Prime Minister
Who is part of the Cabinet?
The Prime Minster and the Cabinet Minsters
What does the Cabinet do?
Make important decisions about how the country is run, like preparing the budget and proposing most new laws
What is the opposition party with the most members in the House of Commons called?
Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition
What is the role of opposition parties?
Peacefully oppose or try to improve government proposals
What are the four major political parties in Canada right now?
The Bloc Quebecois, Conservative Party, Liberal Party and the New Democratic Party
What is the voter information card?
This confirms your name is on the voters’ list and states when and where you vote
What do you do if you cannot or do not wish to vote on election day?
You can vote at the advance polls or by special ballot
What do Municipal councils usually pass?
“by laws” that affect only the local community
What are municipalities usually responsible for?
urban or regional planning, streets and roads, sanitation, snow removal, firefighting, ambulance and other emergency services, recreation facilities, public transit and some local health and social services
What do First Nations have responsibilities for in their communities?
housing, schools and other services
Who is the current prime minister?
Justin Trudeau
Who is the current Governor General?
Mary Simon
What is the current political party in power?
Liberal Party
What is the name of the current Leader of the Opposition?
Pierre Poilievre
What is the name of the party representing Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition?
Conservative Party
Who represents my municipality as an MP in Ottawa?
Alistair MacGregor (NDP)
The representative of the QUeen in my Province, the Lieutenant Governor, is?
Janet Austin, OBC
Who is the Premier in BC?
David Eby
The name of the BC provincial party in power is?
NDP
The names of the provincial opposition parties and leaders are?
BC United, Kevin Falcon
Who is my provincial representative?
Sonia FurstenauT
The name of the municipality in which I live is?
North Cowichan
What is due process?
the principle that the government must respect all the legal rights a person is entitled to under the law
What is the country’s highest court?
The Supreme Court of Canada
What does the Federal Court of Canada deal with?
matters concerning the federal government
What kind of courts are available in most provinces?
An appeals court and a trial court, sometimes called the Court of Queen’s Bench or the Supreme Court
What are some other kinds of provincial courts?
lesser offences, family court, traffic courts, small claims courts
What are the types of police in Canada?
provincial police forces in Ontario and QUebec, and municipal police departments in all provinces and the RCMP, who enforce federal laws throughout canada and serve as the provincial police everywhere except Ontario and Quebec
