Quiz #2: Concepts and Class Material Flashcards
Canada operates on what form of government that requires political executives to maintain the confidence of their respective assemblies in order to continue governing?
Responsible Government
What kind of political system allows Canadian citizens to elect members of both a national and provincial/territorial assembly?
Canada is a representative democracy and a federation, allowing citizens to elect members of both national and provincial/territorial assemblies.
How many legislatures does Canada have in total?
14, including the federal Parliament in Ottawa.
How many legislatures does Canada have in total?
A) 10
B) 12
C) 14
D) 16
C) 14
What term refers to a legislation prescribing that general elections be held on a particular date, or range of dates, typically every four years?
A) By-Election
B) Confidence Convention
C) Member of Parliament (MP)
D) Fixed-Date Election Law
D) Fixed-Date Election Law
What term refers to a legislation prescribing that general elections be held on a particular date, or range of dates, typically every four years?
Fixed-Date Election Law
What is the definition of the Fixed-Date Election Law?
A law that establishes specific dates for general elections, ensuring that elections are held at regular intervals, rather than being called at the discretion of the ruling party.
What term refers to a district-level election held between general elections?
A) By-Election
B) Confidence Convention
C) Member of Parliament (MP)
D) Fixed-Date Election Law
A) By-Election
What term refers to a district-level election held between general elections?
By-Election
What is the definition of the Confidence Convention within Canadian Politics?
Refers to the practice under which a government must relinquish power when it loses a critical legislative vote
What term refers to the practice under which a government must relinquish power when it loses a critical legislative vote?
A) By-Election
B) Confidence Convention
C) Member of Parliament (MP)
D) Fixed-Date Election Law
B) Confidence Convention
What term to one of the 338 representatives elected to serve in the House of Commons?
A) Senate
B) Tenure
C) Member of Parliament (MP)
D) Manufactured majority
C) Member of Parliament (MP)
What term to one of the 338 representatives elected to serve in the House of Commons?
Member of Parliament (MP)
What term refers to a bill or motion in the legislature on which party members, except members of cabinet, are allowed to vote however they choose without sanction?
Free Vote
What term refers to a bill or motion in the legislature on which party members, except members of cabinet, are allowed to vote however they choose without sanction?
A) Party Whip
B) Backbencher
C) House leader
D) Free Vote
D) Free Vote
What term refers to a member of the legislature responsible for the overall performance of a political party in the legislative process?
A) Party Whip
B) Backbencher
C) House leader
D) Free Vote
C) House leader
one chamber (or “house”) refers to what term?
Unicameral legislature
Two chambers (or “houses”) refers to what term?
Bicameral legislature
What term refers to a legislative body consisting of one chamber (or “house”)?
Unicameral legislature
What term refers to a legislative body consisting of two chambers (or “houses”)?
Bicameral legislature
Define Bicameral legislature, Written Format
A legislative body consisting of two chambers (or “houses”); the
federal Parliament.
Define Unicameral legislature, Written Format
A legislative body consisting of one chamber (or “house”);
provincial/territorial assemblies.
Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of the House of Commons?
A) Supervising and holding the executive to account
B) Passing laws and resolutions to govern the country
C) Managing the daily operations of provincial governments
D) Authorizing the spending and raising of money
C) Managing the daily operations of provincial governments
This is not a responsibility of the House of Commons, as provincial governments manage their own daily operations. The House of Commons focuses on federal responsibilities.
Which body in Canada is responsible for representing the common people, supervising and holding the executive to account, passing laws and resolutions, authorizing the spending and raising of money, and debating pressing political issues?
The House of Commons
What term refers to the upper house of the Canadian parliament, consisting of members chosen by the executive?
The Senate
What term refers to 338 representatives elected to serve in the House of Commons?
Member of Parliament (MP)
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the Canadian Senate?
A) It was originally designed as a counterweight to the House of Commons, providing the upper class with representation.
B) Members of the Senate are appointed rather than elected.
C) Senators are summoned by the governor general, based on the advice of the prime minister.
D) Senators are directly elected by the public to ensure regional representation.
D) Senators are directly elected by the public to ensure regional representation.
__________ summoned by the governor general, on advice of the prime minister.Also structured to provide regional support. (Fill in Blank)
The senate
_____________ Members appointed, not elected. (Fill in Blank)
The Senate
___________was originally designed as a counterweight to the Commons, providing the upper class with representation. (Fill in Blank)
The Senate
How are Senate seats currently distributed in Canada?
A) Based on equal representation among all provinces
B) On a regional basis, with some provinces receiving 24 or 10 senators while others receive just 6
C) Proportional to the population size of each province
D) Randomly assigned by the federal government
B) On a regional basis, with some provinces receiving 24 or 10 senators while others receive just 6
What is one proposed reform to the composition of the Senate?
A) Reducing the total number of Senate seats
B) Allowing the provinces with smaller populations to receive more senators
C) Dividing seats equally among all provinces
D) Granting the governor general power to appoint senators without prime ministerial advice
C) Dividing seats equally among all provinces
What is one of the proposed reforms to increase the effectiveness of the Senate?
A) Reducing the Senate’s role in routine legislative business
B) Granting the Senate veto powers over federal appointments, language legislation, and international agreements
C) Limiting the Senate’s influence over regional representation
D) Eliminating the Senate’s power to review bills passed by the House of Commons
B) Granting the Senate veto powers over federal appointments, language legislation, and international agreements
What does federalism help to do to Canada’s legislatures?
A) Unify
B) Structure
C) Abolish
D) Simplify
B) Structure
What term refers to a situation in which a member of the legislation leaves one political party to join another party?
Crossing the floor
Define Crossing the Floor, Written Format
A situation in which a member of the legislature leaves one political party to join another party.
What is exceptionally rare in federal politics, where a majority govt in which the governing party’s share of popular vote is at least 50%?
Earned Majority
Which term describes a majority government where the governing party’s share of the popular vote is less than 50%?
A) Proportional majority
B) Manufactured majority
C) Coalition majority
D) Minority government
B) Manufactured majority