Viability of the Principles of Liberalism & How Ideology Shapes the Actions of an Individual

Question 1

Federal Government:

Answer 1

338 MPs. They deal with national defence, immigration screening, passports, laws affecting the entire country, and federal taxes.

Question 2

Provincial Government:

Answer 2

87 MLAs in Alberta. Deals with fighting forest fires, designing school curricula, maintaining provincial parks, provincial taxes, and healthcare delivery.

Question 3

Municipal Government:

Answer 3

1 Mayor and 12 counsellors in Edmonton. Deals with water treatment, potholes, public transit development of land, and property taxes.

Question 4

Representative Democracy:

Answer 4

Occurs when we elect representatives to act on our behalf.

Question 5

Parliamentary Democracy:

Answer 5

A system of elections based on the British model because we’re a former colony.

Question 6

Responsible government:

Answer 6

The branch that proposes most laws (the executive branch) must have the support of the legislative branch (MPs in the House of Commons).

Question 7

Constitutional monarchy:

Answer 7

The head of state is the monarchy - the King, represented by the Governor General - but our constitution restricts the King’s power as he is only a figurehead in Canada.

Question 8

A Republic:

Answer 8

People are sovereign, so the head of state is the President, NOT a monarch.

Question 9

Checks and balances:

Answer 9

Each branch can check the power of the others, i.e. a 2/3 vote of the legislative branch can override a Presidential veto.

Question 10

The US has an _______ senate.

Answer 10

elected

Question 11

How do Canada and the United States differ in Federal representation?

Answer 11

In Canada, the Prime Minister is determined by the party that wins the most seats in the House of Commons. In the US, the President is voted separately through representation by population. States with more people get more electoral college votes given to them.

Question 12

Representation by populations:

Answer 12

The country is divided into 338 districts called ridings, determined by how many people live in a particular area. According to the “rep by pop” principle, each riding should have an equal number of people (but this is impossible because Canada is really big geographically and has an uneven distribution of people).

Question 13

Electoral districts or constituencies:

Answer 13

Canada has 338 “ridings.” On a federal election night, there are 338 individual elections taking place. They become the MP for that district/riding, winning more than any other candidate. Unlike the US, we do not have a separate “Prime Minister election.” The Prime Minister is the person who leads the party that receives the most seats unless other parties decide to form a coalition government only happened once, back in 1917.

Question 14

Winning a plurality:

Answer 14

The winner of each riding is the person who receives the most votes but not necessarily more than 50%.

Question 15

First Past the Post:

Answer 15

A voting system where the winner in each riding only has to get more than all other candidates. A winner is declared in FPP even if they don’t have 50% or more support in their riding. People who don’t support FPP prefer voting systems like proportional representation.

Question 16

Proportional Representation:

Answer 16

A voting system that many countries in the world have, which yields an equal proportion of seats to the percentage of votes cast for a party. If a party receives 15% of the vote on election night, they would get 15% of the seats in the legislature. Many feel this is a fairer system of voting, which allows more voices to be heard. However, with more voices, it is more difficult to pass laws because there is more disagreement and more parties represented - and more likely, minority governments will occur with more frequent elections.

Question 17

Plebiscites and referendums:

Answer 17

Forms of direct democracy that governments may use. Both are identical in how the votes would be cast, but referendums are legally binding, whereas plebiscites are not. Typically, referendums and plebiscites occur during an election, or they may happen on their own.

Question 18

Consensus:

Answer 18

A form of decision-making where all voices must be heard and satisfied before a decision that all can accept is reached. Used in some Indigenous forms of government across North America and is also seen in sentencing circles, talking circles and restorative justice. The process is designed to be inclusive of all voices but can be very time-consuming, and this is the reason it’s not used in most political systems.

Question 19

Interest Groups & Lobbyists:

Answer 19

When people do not have their voice heard in government (i.e. their party or candidate didn’t win), Canadians can form Interest Groups to help promote their cause by lobbying the government to either pass laws that benefit them or prevent the passage of laws that go against their cause. Currently, there are more than 20 000 interest groups operating in Canada.

Question 20

Protests and Riots:

Answer 20

When the government refuses to listen to the people’s will, protests may occur, which are completely legal in Canada. When protests turn violent, they are called riots. Both are caused by frustrated citizens who want more say in government.

Question 21

War Measures Act:

Answer 21

A law that was in place until 1988 which gave the government sweeping powers to suspend civil liberties in times of national emergency. It was last used in 1970, during the October Crisis in Quebec, where a Quebecois extremist group known as the FLQ conducted a campaign of bombing and kidnapping to bring attention to their cause. The act was also used during WWI and WWII (internment camps, conscription).

Question 22

The Emergencies Act:

Answer 22

Replaced the War Measures Act in 1988, which is a law that can be put in place during national emergencies to keep Canadians safe. The War Measures Act was criticized because the powers it gave the government were too broad and violated too many liberal freedoms. The Emergencies Act can temporarily suspend rights, such as movement, association, and control of utilities, force certain professions into roles, and impose fines/penalties for breaking the measures. Used only once - in February 2022 to remove trucker-convoy protesters. Recently, an inquiry was started into whether invoking the act was justified, and the PM was called to give testimony.

Question 23

Canada’s Anti-Terrorism Act:

Answer 23

Designed to prevent terrorists from getting into Canada and protect Canadians from terrorist acts. Activate tools to identify, prosecute, and punish terrorists were implemented. The Act was challenged but upheld by the Supreme Court of Canada. The Supreme Court said that it is a reasonable limit on freedoms in order to keep people safe.

Question 24

Racial profiling:

Answer 24

The practice of using stereotypes about race, colour, ethnicity, religion or place of origin to target an individual who may or may not have a previous criminal history.

Question 25

Criminal Profiling:

Answer 25

Using past behaviour of an individual to predict their likelihood of committing crimes in the future.

Question 26

Explain the deportation of Iraq war resistors:

Answer 26

The United States invaded Iraq in 2003 with the support of many of its allies - but not Canada - under the pretense that Saddam Hussein was developing weapons of mass destruction. He wasn’t, but the US fabricated this evidence to back up their reasoning for going to war. Many soldiers in the US military, believing the war was unjust, refused to be deployed, and faced military punishment as a result. Around 200 soldiers fled to Canada. Unlike Vietnam war resisters, who were given support from the government to stay in Canada, the government hasn’t been as supportive, and as of 2016, only 15 remained in Canada, the rest deported and forced to face justice for deserting their posts.

Question 27

The Judicial Branch:

Answer 27

The branch that “interprets the law” passed down from the executive & legislative branches. This branch is separate from the other two. They ensure laws are constitutional and are the highest court of appeal after all other courts have been used.

Question 28

The Executive Branch:

Answer 28

The decision-making branch made up of the king -represented by the governor general - the Prime Minister, and Cabinet Ministers. Can be somewhat dictatorial. The Senate, supreme court judges and heads of crown corporations are appointed through the executive branch. They also introduce the majority of bills that eventually become law.

Question 29

What are the liberal values violated by Canada’s Executive Branch?

Answer 29

The King is not elected, nor is the governor-general, who the Prime Minister appoints. The Prime Minister appoints the cabinet ministers and heads of crown corporations.

Question 30

Who is the governor-general in Canada?

Answer 30

Mary Simon.

Question 31

The Senate:

Answer 31

The Senate in Canada is unelected, and senators are appointed on the recommendation of the Prime Minister and can stay until they’re 75 years old.

Question 32

What are the pros of the senate?

Answer 32

Senators can vote their conscience instead of just following the party line, and regions across Canada are represented fairly. The Senate has contributed valuable reports and policies on a range of issues.

Question 33

What are the cons of the senate?

Answer 33

They don’t always show up for sessions and still get paid, they vote the same way their party does, and the system of unelected representation goes against the principle of democracy and is illiberal.

Question 34

Pros of a multi-party political system:

Answer 34

Many views are represented across the political spectrum in our political system. MPs are accountable to their constituents; if what they do isn’t liked, they risk being voted out, which keeps them accountable.

Question 35

Cons of a multi-party political system:

Answer 35

Party solidarity and party discipline prevent MPs from voting how their constituents want them to on some issues. Majority governments can be somewhat dictatorial. In a minority parliament, parties may not pass laws they want to pass because they fear being voted out.

Question 36

Electorate:

Answer 36

The people that can vote.

Question 37

Incumbents:

Answer 37

People trying to be reelected.

Question 38

American Bill of Rights:

Answer 38

The first 10 amendments to the US Constitution. Ratified by the original 13 states by 1791, it is based primarily on John Locke’s concept of “natural rights” for all individuals, including life, liberty, and the protection of property.

Question 39

Assimilation:

Answer 39

The process whereby individuals or groups of differing ethnic heritage are absorbed into the dominant culture of a society.

Question 40

Bill:

Answer 40

A draft of a proposed law presented to parliament for discussion.

Question 41

Bolshevik:

Answer 41

A member of the majority faction of the Russian Social Democratic Party, which was renamed the Communist Party after seizing power in the October Revolution of 1917.

Question 42

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms:

Answer 42

A document entrenched in the Constitutional Act of 1982 that lists and describes the fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed to Canadians.

Question 43

Common good:

Answer 43

The good of a community; something that benefits the public health, safety, / well-being of society as a whole.

Question 44

Controlled Participation:

Answer 44

Giving the illusion that the citizen is participating in government and that they can have influence. However, this participation is controlled such that it does not affect or limit the policies or goals of the Party/government.

Question 45

Direct Democracy:

Answer 45

A form of government in which the people participate in deciding issues directly. A direct democracy operates on the belief that every citizen’s voice is important and necessary for society’s orderly and efficient operation.

Question 46

Ethics:

Answer 46

Moral principles that govern a person’s behaviour or the conducting of an activity.

Question 47

Extremism:

Answer 47

A term used by others to describe the beliefs and actions of those perceived to be outside of the accepted norms of political or social behaviour. Extremism may be a response adopted by those for whom ordinary political means of redressing perceived wrongs are deemed ineffective.

Question 48

Humanitarianism:

Answer 48

Trying to improve the lives of others and to reduce their suffering through various means, including social reform and aid.

Question 49

Illiberalism:

Answer 49

Ideologies opposed to the values, beliefs, and principles of liberalism; usually refers to undemocratic actions but may be found in democratic countries during times of crisis.

Question 50

Indian Act:

Answer 50

An act of Parliament first passed in 1867, since amended many times, dealing with the governance of reserves and the rights and benefits of registered individuals. The act includes First Nations peoples (and their descendants) who signed treaties or were otherwise registered in the act.

Question 51

Internment Camps:

Answer 51

Detention facilities used to confine political prisoners and people of specific national or minority groups.

Question 52

Language Legislation:

Answer 52

Laws regarding the official language of a state. In the Canadian context, such legislation is related either to Canada’s official languages.

Question 53

Non-confidence vote:

Answer 53

If support of the house is lost, a vote of non-confidence is held, and if lost, an election is triggered.

Question 54

USA Patriot Act:

Answer 54

Controversial legislation passed by the United States government in 2001 to deter and punish terrorist acts in the United States. Some Americans argue that the act is a threat to personal liberties.

Question 55

Popular Vote:

Answer 55

An act of voting by the electorate of a country or area.

Question 56

Postmodernism:

Answer 56

A movement of thought, art, and criticism that raises questions about the faith that moderns have in reason and in progress and tries to get people to rethink their assumptions about the meaning of modern life.

Question 57

Citizen Advocacy:

Answer 57

A movement to strengthen citizen action and motivation to participate in community and civic affairs; often focuses on bringing the marginalized back into the community.

Question 58

Citizen Awareness:

Answer 58

The state of citizens of being aware of their civic obligations.

Question 59

Civil Rights Movements:

Answer 59

Popular movements, notably in the United States in the 1950s and 1960s that worked to extend rights to marginalized members of society. Often these struggles aim not only for legal and civic rights but also for respect, dignity, and economic and social equality for all.

Question 60

Liberation Movements:

Answer 60

Military and political struggles of people for independence from countries that have colonized or otherwise oppressed them

Question 61

Orange Revolution:

Answer 61

The Orange Revolution was a series of protests and political events that took place in Ukraine from late November 2004 to January 2005, in the immediate aftermath of the run-off vote of the 2004 Ukrainian presidential election, which was claimed to be marred by massive corruption, voter intimidation and electoral fraud. Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, was the focal point of the movement’s campaign of civil resistance, with thousands of protesters demonstrating daily.