Social Studies Chapter 1 Vocab

Question 1

Legislative Branch?

Answer 1

The part of the Federal Government that makes laws. It includes the House of Commons, the Senate and the governor general.

The legislative branch is also called Canada’s parliament.

Question 2

Popular Vote

Answer 2

The total support political parties win during an
election, regardless of whether they win ridings.

Question 3

Supreme Court

Answer 3

The Supreme Court of Canada is the highest court in Canada. It has the final word on all legal questions in the country, including questions about the rules for making and applying laws.

Consists of 9 judges from 4 regions.

Appointed by the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Question 4

Bill

Answer 4

Proposed laws for Canada are known as bills.

A bill cannot become law until both the House of Commons and Senate pass it.

Question 5

Govern

Answer 5

To make decisions as a government and put decisions into action.

Question 6

Governance

Answer 6

The process of governing.

Question 7

Minorities

Answer 7

Groups in society who do not form the majority of the population.

Question 8

Judicial Branch

Answer 8

Canada’s courts of law. Applies and interprets laws.

The judicial branch is separate from the other branches and acts as a check on their powers. It interprets and applies all law in Canada, including the rights of Canadians.

Question 9

Accountable

Answer 9

Answerable to someone for your actions; observable, transparent.

Question 10

Law

Answer 10

A rule of conduct or action recognized as binding and is enforced by a controlling authority body.

Question 11

Government

Answer 11

The body with power to make decisions for a society (municipal, provincial and federal).

Question 12

House of Commons

Answer 12

The House of Commons is the major law-making body in Canada’s federal political system.

Houses the Executive and Legislative branches of government.

Question 13

Civil Service

Answer 13

The people who serve Canadians as employees of government.

Question 14

Senate

Answer 14

Senators are not elected. The prime minister appoints them. They can remain in office until age 75. Prime ministers tend to appoint people who support the PM’s political party.

The Senate gives “sober second thought” — careful reconsideration — to all legislation proposed for Canada. This means senators provide a second round of study, debate and voting on laws proposed for Canada.

The Senate cannot propose laws that create or spend taxes.

Question 15

Assimilation

Answer 15

The process of becoming part of a different cultural group (not your own).

Question 16

Prime Minister

Answer 16

The prime minister is the head of Canada’s government. To become prime minister, you must be elected as the leader of a political party. Then, you must be elected as a member of parliament, and the party you lead must win the most seats in the House of Commons.

Question 17

Representation by Population

Answer 17

Regions of the country with more population have more seats in the House of Commons.

Question 18

Federal Accountability Act

Answer 18

Canada’s government passed the Federal Accountability Act in December 2006.

Responsible and accountable spending by the government.
Protection for government employees who “blow the whistle” on wrongdoing within Canada’s civil service.
More information about the activities of lobbyists. (Lobbyists are people paid to represent the interests of particular groups in society).

Question 19

Slogan

Answer 19

A phrase repeatedly used by politicians or marketers to present an idea

Question 20

Executive Branch

Answer 20

The part of the Federal Government responsible for putting laws into action. Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers.

The cabinet includes the people with responsibility for different government departments and agencies (portfolios) such as health, finance and environment.

The members of cabinet belong to the leading political party in the House of Commons, and are members of parliament (MPs) or senators.
The PM decides what portfolios to include in the cabinet and chooses cabinet ministers.

The cabinet proposes most of the ideas that become laws.

Question 21

Constituent

Answer 21

Someone who lives in a riding and is represented by an elected official from that riding.

Question 22

Judges

Answer 22

Legal officials (lawyers) who interpret and apply all law in Canada, including the rights of Canadians.

They have chief main responsibility for making sure the rights of Canadians are respected.

Question 23

Lobbyist

Answer 23

Lobbyists are people paid to represent the interests of particular groups in society.

Lobbyists must register with a Commissioner of Lobbyists, so everyone in Canada can know who they are and who they represent. They provide
different perspectives and in-depth expertise on many issues.

The Federal Accountability Act introduced rules that require lobbyists to document which MPs and government officials they meet with.

Question 24

Constitution

Answer 24

The law that describes governance in Canada.
It sets out the role of the governor general, and the different roles of the three branches of government. It describes how the three branches of government work together to exercise the decision-making authority of government. (BNA 1867)

The constitution also sets out other important institutions in Canada, such as the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. (1982)

Question 25

First Past the Post

Answer 25

Canada’s current electoral system. Voters in each riding vote for one candidate in that riding. Whoever has the most votes is elected as the MP for that riding.