social studies chapter 1 Flashcards

1
Q

government

A

system that controls a country, state, etc

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2
Q

govern

A

to make decisions as a government and put decisions into action

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3
Q

3 levels of government

A

local- provincial - federal

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4
Q

what does the constitution of canada do

A

they set out important institutions + different roles of government

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5
Q

who is the top of our government

A

britain’s king or queen

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6
Q

what is the role of the governor general?

A

represents the queen and is part of both the executive and legislative branch and huge royal assent to bills passed

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7
Q

what is the role of the executive branch

A

they’re responsible for putting laws into action

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8
Q

who makes up the executive branch

A

the Prime minister and the cabinet

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9
Q

what 3 things have to happened before a person can become PM (prime minister)

A
  • must be elected as the leader of a party,
  • elected as a member of the parliament, and
  • must win the most number of seats
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10
Q

what is the cabinet

A

the cabinet includes the people with responsibilities for different government departments such as health, finance and environment. the PM decides what portfolios to include in the cabinet

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11
Q

how is the cabinet selected

A

by the Prime Minister

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12
Q

who proposes most of the ideas that become laws in canada

A

the cabinet

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13
Q

what is a political party?

A

a group of people who have similar ideas about how government should respond to issues facing society

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14
Q

how many ridings are in alberta?

A

34

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15
Q

what is the role of the legislative branch

A

makes laws + debate on them

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16
Q

what are the three parts of the legislative branch

A

house of commons, the senate and the governor general

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17
Q

what is the house of commons

A

they’re the major law-making body in canada. they make laws and propose laws

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18
Q

what are MP’s

A

also known as member of parliament, they represent their constituents and they create peace, order and good government for canadians

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19
Q

how are MPs selected

A

they’re voted in by their riding (by canadians)

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20
Q

how do MPs help determine the government of canada

A

the party in power is the party with the most votes.

the candidate with the most votes wins their constituency

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21
Q

what is a constituency

A

a body of voters in a specified area who elect a representative to a legislative body.

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22
Q

what languages does the legislative branch use?

A

english and french

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23
Q

what is the question period

A

it seeks information from government and holds you accountable for your actions (questions government)

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24
Q

what is the role of the opposition parties

A

to create debate, acts as a watch dog and speak for canadians views

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25
Q

what is the difference between a majority government and a minority government

A

if a political party wins the majority of seats in the HOC, it always forms government. if the party wins the most seats but not the majority, it usually forms government. to stay in power, they would need to negotiate for 50% or more MPs to vote for government proposals

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26
Q

what factors may prevent the PM from working with members of the opposition

A

they’re a different political party and they may not agree with the PM

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27
Q

what are the two roles of MPs

A

being a legislator and being a voice for you constituents

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28
Q

what are constituents

A

someone who lives in a riding and is represented by an MP

29
Q

what is popular vote

A

the total support political parties win during election, regardless of whether they win ridings

30
Q

how is the number of ridings determined in a province

A

based on population

31
Q

how are senators selected? what is their role?

A

they’re appointed by the PM, and they give a sober second thought, they can propose laws but they usually only consider bills passed first by the HOC and a bill cannot become a law unless the senate passes it

32
Q

how long can senators serve

A

30-75 years

33
Q

who are senators supposed to represent

A

the minorities, francophones, the interests and rights of Canada

34
Q

what does “sober second thought” refer to

A

to give a careful reconsideration because whoever it is is stuck on power

35
Q

does the senate have the right to reject a bill

A

yes, but normally they don’t

36
Q

how many senate seats are there?

A

105

37
Q

what is the role of the judicial branch

A

they interpret and apply laws for making legal judgement, they make sure Canadians rights are respected

38
Q

what is the highest court in canada

A

the supreme court

39
Q

how many judges are in the supreme court

A

9

40
Q

how are judges selected?

A

the executive branch will nominate judge. MPs and PM will select one of the shortlisted

41
Q

what does accountable mean

A

answerable to someone for your actions

42
Q

what is the civil service

A

the people who serve canadians as employees of government

43
Q

summarize what the “Sponsorship Scandal” is

A

The gov spent the money that was supposed to be spent on cultural events but was spent on him and his friends instead

44
Q

how many readings do bills go through in the house of commons

A

3

45
Q

once a law has passed through the house of commons, where does it go?

A

to the senate

46
Q

how many readings does a bill go through in the senate

A

3

47
Q

what is royal assent

A

the approval of a bill from the governor general for it to become a law

48
Q

BNA act

A

was canada’s original constitution, which established canada’s system of government but did not acknowledge the rights of aboriginal people

49
Q

what does the media include? what do they do

A

newspapers, the internet, radio, etc. the media inform citizens about government ideas, actions, and decisions. The media is very powerful and adept at influencing citizens perspectives and beliefs about government or politics. The media may put a “spin” on a certain issue which can influence how the audience will perceive the issue. They’re like watchdogs who hold the gov accountable

50
Q

what are slogans

A

a phrase repeatedly used by politicians or marketers

51
Q

what is the parliamentary press gallery

A

an association of reporters who cover the decisions and actions of canada’s gov

52
Q

bias

A

an opinion based on unchallenged assumptions

53
Q

what is a lobbyist and their role

A

someone hired by a group to influence MPs and gov officials, they voice the views of groups on issues that affect members or all canadians. they provide different perspectives on many issues.

54
Q

why do lobbyists have to register with the commissioner of lobbyists

A

so everyone in canada can know who they are and who they represent

55
Q

what law ensures set rules by which lobbyists operate?

A

The federal accountability act

56
Q

what is the federal accountability act

A

an act the government passed in Dec 2006 in response
to issues raised by the “sponsorship scandal” these
issues included:
-responsible and accountable spending by the
government
-protection for the government employees who “blow
the whistle” on wrongdoing within canadas civil service
-more information about the activities of the lobbyists

57
Q

give an example of lobby groups and results of their efforts

A

non smokers rights association has resulted in tougher controls on smoking

58
Q

what are portfolios

A

another name for government departments or agencies, such as agriculture and health

59
Q

what is the name for canada’s parliament

A

legislative branch

59
Q

the senate can’t propose laws that..

A

create taxes or spend tax revenue

60
Q

in order to win a popular vote…

A

you must get the most votes from numerous constituencies/ your political party must get elected in all of its ridings

61
Q

what is canada’s parliament made up of?

A

the monarch, the senate, the house of commons

63
Q

what might be considered unconstitutional

A

Constitutionality is the condition of acting in accordance with an applicable constitution; the status of a law, a procedure, or an act’s accordance with the laws or set forth in the applicable constitution. When one of these (laws, procedures, or acts) directly violates the constitution, it is unconstitutional.

64
Q

how does passing a law work in the legislative branch?

A

a prosposed bill —> goes through mps/house of commons —> senators —> governor general —> the bill has become law

64
Q

what is first past the post? what is it used for?

A

it’s used to select canada’s members of parliament…

65
Q

(continued)

A

GIVEN TO THE SENATE: first reading, second reading, committee stage, report stage, third reading, BACK TO HOC: Debate and vote (debate and vote on the recommended changes made by senate), BACK TO SENATE: Debate and vote on the HOC’s decisions, ROYAL ASSENT: the bill becomes a law after the governor general gives the bill royal assent

66
Q

who decides what bills will be introduced to canada’s parliament

A

the PM and the cabinet

67
Q

(long form for process of passing bill)

A

IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS: the bill is proposed (first
reading), then they study the bill (second reading), then it goes through the committee stage (meetings are held, recommend changes to the bill), the report stage (MPs vote on the recommended changes), third reading…

68
Q

auditor general

A

monitors the government’s spending on behalf of all canada’s