Starred (Correct) Govt Questions

Question 1

Constitutional Monarchy:

Answer 1

even though the King is the head of state in Canada her powers are limited by the Constitution and laws of the land

Question 2

Cabinet Portfolio:

Answer 2

a department of the government, presided over by a cabinet minister

• Example Minister of Finance, health, fisheries etc.

Question 3

Cabinet Solidarity:

Answer 3

Once an issue has been agreed upon all Cabinet members are expected to publicly support the issue.

Question 4

Cabinet Shuffle:

Answer 4

Cabinet ministers are moved to new portfolios to give the cabinet a new look, change things up.

Question 5

Shadow Cabinet:

Answer 5

members of the opposition who are assigned a specific portfolio to follow/challenge the actual cabinet minister in charge

Question 6

Backbenchers:

Answer 6

government MPs who have not been assigned a specific portfolio

Question 7

Opposition:

Answer 7

The official opposition is the second largest party in the House of Commons. It consists of elected MPs not of the govering party.

Question 8

Ridings:

Answer 8

Canada is divided into 338 ridings or areas that will elect an MP to the commons. The division of the ridings is an attempt to keep population equal (aprox. 100,000 people), although it is not always possible.

Question 9

Majority Government:

Answer 9

The governing party has more than 50% of the seats in Parliament. It is a strong advantage, because they can pass bills at will because they
outnumber the opposition. (338 total seats - 170 = majority)

Question 10

Minority Government:

Answer 10

The Political party that wins more seats than any other party forms the government but it has less than 50% of the seats in Parliament.
- Canada currently has a Minority Liberal Government

Question 11

Non- Confidence motion:

Answer 11

a motion by the opposition that says the government in power has lost the support of the majority of the members in the Commons, therefore it has lost the right to govern.

Question 12

Member of Parliament

Answer 12

An elected official for the Federal Government

Question 13

Member of the Legislative Assembly

Answer 13

An elected official for the Provincial Government.

Question 14

Governor General (3 duties and how they are chosen)

Answer 14

Today the duties are mainly ceremonial and symbolic
- Representative of the Monarch in Canada
- Signs all bills into law
- Gives the speech from the Throne which outlines the government’s plans for the next session of parliament
* The Governor General is a recommendation of the PM. It is a 5 year term (max of 7 years)

Question 15

Prime Minister (4 duties and how they are chosen)

Answer 15

The Prime Minister is the leader of the Political Party that wins the federal election. Canadians do not vote specifically for the PM but for local MPs
- Chooses members of the Cabinet
- Develops programs and policies for Canada
- Provides an effective government for all Canadians
- Represents Canada at international conferences

Question 16

The Speaker of the House of Commons: (3 duties and how they are chosen)

Answer 16

• Essentially a referee of Parliament
• Makes sure the rules and regulations of Parliamentary debate are followed
• Must maintain order in Parliament.
• The Speaker is an elected MP and is chosen by the party in power.

Question 17

How a law is passed

Answer 17

The bill is read three times in the House of Commons
- First reading - intro only, no debate
- Second reading - Pos / Neg are debated
- Third reading - Bill is accepted or rejected in its final form

Question 18

Three reasons to have an election

Answer 18

• Federal Law states that an election must be held every 5 years
• The Government may call an election if they are at a very popular point such as after 4 years, in hopes of winning another 5 years
• A non-confidence motion in Parliament - a minority government is in power - the other parties join together to force the election

Question 19

Similarities of the Federal and Provincial Governments (2)

Answer 19

• Both have a representative of the Monarch (Governor General and Lieutenant Governor)
• Bills are debated and passed in the same way, except the Provinces do not have the
Senate.

Question 20

Differences of the Federal and Provincial Governments (2)

Answer 20

• They have their own elections
• Some provinces have their own parties with no federal affiliation

Question 21

Cabinet

Answer 21

• Cabinet members are put in charge of a portfolio / department
• Explains polices to the media in.
• Supports, advises the PM
  • Cabinet ministers are chosen by the PM, usually about 30.

Question 22

Member of Parliament

Answer 22

• Represent their constituents from the riding that elected them.
• Take part in the House of Commons sessions when in session
  • Elected by the citizens in their riding

Question 23

The Senate

Answer 23

• Senators debate and vote on bills sent to them by Parliament.
  They must pass, defeat or amend the bill before it becomes law.
  • Senators are appointed by the ruling PM. As a result the PM will appoint friends and supporters to the Senate.

Question 24

The Official Opposition

Answer 24

• Constructively criticize the policies of the government
• Make sure the Gov’t is dealing responsibly with the issues that concern all Canadians
  • Elected by citizens of Canada in their specific ridings, but do not have enough seats to form the Gov’t

Question 25

Caucus

Answer 25

These are all of the elected MPs from the same party. They will have Caucus meetings to discuss party policies and strategies

Question 26

Pages

Answer 26

young people who sit around the speakers chair and deliver messages for the MPs and running errands.

Question 27

Platform

Answer 27

a package of ideas or policies based on the parties beliefs. It also says what the party would do if it formed the government.

Question 28

Constitution

Answer 28

outlines the basic principles on which a government is founded, establishes the organization of government, and may outline the rights of citizens