Quiz #2: Concepts and Class Material Flashcards by Humphrey Asante

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

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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.

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How many legislatures does Canada have in total?

14, including the federal Parliament in Ottawa.

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How many legislatures does Canada have in total?

A) 10
B) 12
C) 14
D) 16

C) 14

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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What term refers to a district-level election held between general elections?

By-Election

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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

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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

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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)

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What term to one of the 338 representatives elected to serve in the House of Commons?

Member of Parliament (MP)

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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

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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

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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

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one chamber (or “house”) refers to what term?

Unicameral legislature

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Two chambers (or “houses”) refers to what term?

Bicameral legislature

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What term refers to a legislative body consisting of one chamber (or “house”)?

Unicameral legislature

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What term refers to a legislative body consisting of two chambers (or “houses”)?

Bicameral legislature

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Define Bicameral legislature, Written Format

A legislative body consisting of two chambers (or “houses”); the
federal Parliament.

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Define Unicameral legislature, Written Format

A legislative body consisting of one chamber (or “house”);
provincial/territorial assemblies.

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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.

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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

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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

A __________ is a majority government in which the governing party’s share of the popular vote is less than 50%. This is more common at the federal level due to the nature of the electoral system and the multi-party environment.

Manufactured majority

Who is summoned by the governor general, on advice of the prime minister?

The Senate

Which term describes a government where the governing party controls less than half of the seats in the legislature? A) Majority government B) Coalition government C) Minority government D) Manufactured majority

C) Minority government

A __________ is a government in which the governing party controls less than half of the seats in the legislature, often leading to high-stakes brinkmanship, overspending, and steeped partisanship.

Minority government

What is a minority government, and what are some potential challenges it faces in the legislative process?

A government in which the governing party controls less than half of the seats in the legislature, often leading to high-stakes brinkmanship, overspending, and steeped partisanship.

Which term refers to a formal denunciation of a member's or government’s unparliamentary behavior by the Speaker? A) House Leader B) Leader of the Official Opposition C) Contempt D) Question Period

C) Contempt

What term refers to a rank-and-file member of the legislative assembly without cabinet responsibilities or other special legislative duties?

Backbencher

Which term describes the leader of the party with the second-most seats in the legislature, who typically leads off the Question Period? A) Speaker B) House Leader C) Leader of the Official Opposition D) Whip

C) Leader of the Official Opposition

The __________ is typically the leader of the party with the second-most seats in the legislature and leads off the Question Period.

Leader of the Official Opposition

__________ is a formal denunciation of a member's or government’s unparliamentary behavior by the Speaker.

Contempt

What term refers to a draft version of a law that is presented to the legislature for debate and approval, also outlining proposed changes, new laws, or amendments to existing laws?

Bill

The __________ is the legal concept that dictates the supremacy of the monarch over the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.

Crown

What is the "Crown" in the context of government?

It's the legal concept of power and authority that exercises it's power over all branches of gov't.

Which term refers to the legal concept that establishes the monarch's supremacy over the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government? A) Head of State B) Sovereignty C) Crown D) Royal Assent

C) Crown

Which term describes the highest-ranking figure in a sovereign state, serving as its foremost ceremonial representative? A) Prime Minister B) Head of State C) Governor General D) Speaker

B) Head of State

The __________ is the highest-ranking figure in a sovereign state and serves as its foremost ceremonial representative.

Head of State

Define the Head of State? Written Format

The highest-ranking figure in a sovereign state and serves as its foremost ceremonial representative.

The __________ is the highest-ranking elected official in a jurisdiction, such as the prime minister or premier, who is appointed by the Crown to lead the executive.

Head of Government

Which term describes the highest-ranking elected official in a jurisdiction, such as the prime minister or premier, who is appointed by the Crown to lead the executive? A) Speaker B) Governor General C) Head of State D) Head of Government

D) Head of Government

At the federal, provincial, and territorial levels, what roles make up the political executive?

The first Minister and The Cabinet.

Who is the head of Government?

Prime Minister

When referring to the "First Ministers" in Canada, which two positions are being referenced as the heads of government?

The Prime Minister and The Premiers.

Which term refers to the heads of government in Canada, including the Prime Minister and the Premiers? A) Cabinet Ministers B) First Ministers C) Governors General D) Lieutenant Governors

B) First Ministers

The __________ are the heads of government in Canada, including the Prime Minister and the Premiers.

First Ministers

What term refers to the leaders of the political executive, consisting of the sitting prime minister and federal ministers, or the premier and provincial Ministers?

The Cabinet

___________________ are leaders of the political executive, consisting of the sitting prime minister and federal ministers, or the premier and provincial Ministers?

Cabinet

Define Cabinet, Written Format

Are leaders of the political executive, consisting of the sitting prime minister and federal ministers, or the premier and provincial Ministers?

Which council is responsible for overseeing the federal government’s overall implementation of policy?

The Privy Council Office

_____________________responsible for overseeing the federal government’s overall implementation of policy?

The Privy Council Office

The __________ is the formal body of prominent federal politicians and officials that advises the governor general, and it is not the same as the Privy Council Office (PCO).

Privy Council

Which term refers to the formal body of prominent federal politicians and officials that typically advises the governor general, but should not be confused with the Privy Council Office (PCO)? A) House of Commons B) Cabinet C) Privy Council D) Senate

C) Privy Council

What is the formal body of prominent federal politicians and officials that typically advises the Governor General known as?

Privy Council

What is the difference between Privy Council and Privy Council Office (PCO)?

The privy council are federal politicians and officials advising the governor general, while the privy council office are an agency that help coordinate federal gov't implementation of policy.

Define the Privy Council Office, Written Format

Council is known for or responsible for overseeing the federal government’s overall implementation of policies.

Who is typically the Head of Government at the federal level and the leader of the party with the most seats in the House of Commons?

Prime Minister

Who is typically the Head of Government in provincial and territorial governments and the leader of the party with the most seats in the legislative assembly?

Premier

Which "P" represents the decision-making authority held by the first ministers in Canada? A) Press B) Prerogative C) Parliament D) Party

B) Prerogative

Which "P" signifies the first ministers' control over the legislative process and agenda in Canada? A) Parliament B) Patronage C) Press D) Prerogative

A) Parliament

Which "P" indicates the first ministers' leadership over their political party in Canada? A) Patronage B) Prerogative C) Party D) Press

C) Party

Which "P" refers to the ability of first ministers to control political appointments and direct government resources in Canada? A) Party B) Press C) Prerogative D) Patronage

D) Patronage

Which "P" describes the role of first ministers as focal points of media attention in Canada? A) Prerogative B) Press C) Patronage D) Parliament

B) Press

What type of executive is composed of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, as well as various provincial and territorial premiers, consisting of elected officials who make broad policy decisions and collaborate in senior levels of public service and political staff?

Political Executive

What type of executive is composed of elected officials who make broad policy decisions and collaborate in senior levels of public service and political staff?

Political Executive

What type of executive is composed of the Prime Minister and Cabinet?

Political Executive

What type of executive is composed of figureheads who hold ceremonial status and represent symbolic positions of authority?

Formal Executive

What type of executive is composed of the Crown and its representatives?

Formal Executive

What constitutional crisis occurred in 1926 when the Governor General refused the Prime Minister's request for a general election?

The King Byng Affair

What term refers to powers or an form authority that are not explicitly granted to political executives and remain vested in the Crown?

Prerogative Authority

__________________ powers that are not explicitly granted to political executives and remain vested in the Crown (Fill in Blank)

Prerogative Authority

Define Prerogative Authority, Written Format

Refers to powers that are not explicitly granted to political executives and remain vested in the crown.

Define King-Byng Affair, Written Format

Refers constitutional crisis occurred in 1926 when the Governor General refused the Prime Minister's request for a general election.

Which of the following refers to the constitutional crisis that occurred in 1926 when the Governor General refused the Prime Minister's request for a general election? A) The Charlottetown Accord B) The King-Byng Affair C) The Meech Lake Accord D) The October Crisis

B) The King-Byng Affair

What are two types of government executives that overtop the public service?

Formal and Political executive

How does the legislature hold members of the political executive accountable during a general election if they lose a major legislative vote, and what is this situation called?

The legislature holds the political executive to account through the Confidence Convention.

What term refers to the constitutional principle whereby the executive (cabinet) must be supported by a majority of elected members of the legislature?

Responsible Government

What central agency of the federal government is responsible for coordinating government spending, as well as human and technical resources? A) The Privy Council Office (PCO) B) Clerk of the Privy (or Executive) Council C) The Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) D) The Department of Finance

C) The Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS)

What central agency of the federal government is responsible for setting and monitoring the government’s fiscal and economic policy, including overseeing the budget process? A) The Privy Council Office (PCO) B) Clerk of the Privy (or Executive) Council C) The Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) D) The Department of Finance

D) The Department of Finance

The federal government agency known as The Department of Finance is responsible for?

Responsible for setting and monitoring the government’s fiscal and economic policy, including overseeing the budget process

The federal government agency known as The Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) is responsible for?

Responsible for coordinating government spending, as well as human and technical resources.