Unit 13 Parliamentary System

Question 1

parliamentary system

Answer 1

close interrelationships b/w political executive and parliament (legislative)

tl;dr, the PM & his cabinet are tight wit the lawmakers

executive branch made up of House of commons

Question 2

responsible government

Answer 2

political executive (PM and cabinet) are accountable for their actions

must retain the support of the elected members of Parliament to remain in office

Question 3

Parliament

Answer 3

legislative, elected body of government

the House of Commons

passing laws, approving the spending and taxing plans

Question 4

majority government

Answer 4

PM’s party has a majority of seats in the House of Commons

Question 5

minority government

Answer 5

single party governs, but they need the support of one other party to pass legislations and stay in office

Question 6

coalition government

Answer 6

two or more parties jointly govern, share cabinet positions

Question 7

head of state

Answer 7

ceremonial position

responsibility to ensure that a legitimate government is in place

Question 8

governor general

Answer 8

person who carries out the duties and responsibilities of the monarch at the national level

chooses leader of the party

approve all legislation, appointments, executive decisions

always acts on the advice of the PM and his cabinet

Question 9

lieutenant governors

Answer 9

carries out duties and responsibilities of the monarch at a provincial level

Question 10

prerogative powers

Answer 10

powers of the monarch that have not been taken away by parliament

Question 11

dissolution

Answer 11

termination of parliament by holding an election for the House of Commons

Question 12

prorogation

Answer 12

suspension of parliament by governor general at the PM’s request

Question 13

head of government

Answer 13

person who heads the executive side of gov’t

usually the PM, and is responsible for choosing the Cabinet

Question 14

cabinet

Answer 14

members of the political executive branch

led by PM, each Cabinet minister has a responsibility of heading a certain gov’t department

Question 15

executive domincance

Answer 15

parliamentary system with lots of power in the hands of the PM and the Cabinet

they can control the House of Commons, esp when there’a majority gov’t

Question 16

Privy Council Office (PCO)

Answer 16

administrative structure, directly responsible to Canadian PM

organizes Cabinet

tries to coordinate/direct activities of gov’t

provides policy advice to PM

Question 17

Prime Minister’s Office (PMO)

Answer 17

office that supports and provides advice to PM

Question 18

prime ministerial government

Answer 18

view that PM has become dominant member of the political executive

not “first among equals”

Question 19

Ministers of State

Answer 19

cabinet members who are not responsible for a particular government department

Question 20

treasury board

Answer 20

permanent cabinet committee with own staff & minister

responsible for expenditure and management practices in gov’t

Question 21

cabinet solidarity

Answer 21

each member of the Cabinet is expected to fully support and defend the decisions and actions that Cabinet takes

Question 22

central agencies and central departments

Answer 22

organizations that provide direction and coordination to gov’t

PCO, PMO

Question 23

collective responsibility

Answer 23

Cabinet as a group will defend, explain, take responsibility for the actions of the gov’t

Question 24

cabinet secrecy

Answer 24

view expressed in Cabinet remain secret to enable full and frank discussion and maintain cabinet solidarity

Question 25

House of Commons

Answer 25

elected chamber of Parliament

each member represents a particular electoral district

Question 26

party discipline

Answer 26

expectation that members of each party will vote in accordance with the position that they have adopted in caucus

Question 27

private members

Answer 27

members of the HoC who are not in Cabinet

Question 28

house of commons committees

Answer 28

committees of gov’t and opposition party members

provide detailed examination of proposed legislation and suggests modifications to that legislation

Question 29

official opposition

Answer 29

party with the second-highest number of seats in the HoC

leads the questioning and criticisms of the current party in power

Question 30

non-confidence

Answer 30

motion put forward by official opposition members in legislation

expresses lack of confidence in gov’t

if passed, PM needs to resign or request another election

Question 31

closure

Answer 31

procedure in the legislative body that cuts off debate if approved by the majority of votes

Question 32

filibuster

Answer 32

use of delaying tactics by those opposed to the passage of a particular piece of legislation

Question 33

senate (in Canada)

Answer 33

upper chamber of Parliament

appointed on recommendation of PM

hold their positions until 75 y/o