Vocab Flashcards
Democracy
Gives the people who are ruled by its laws certain rights over the actions and careers of those in power.
Riding
Geographical divisions made up of roughly 100,000 people.
Suffrage
The right for women to be able to vote
House of Commons
All MP’s including the PM and Cabinet. Main part of parliamentary system. Where laws and spending decisions are made.
Senate
Gives bill a final look or “sober second thought”
Parliament
Highest branch of gov that can make laws. Senate and HOC.
Cabinet
About 30 MP’s that are appointed by the PM and are in the same political party as the PM
Representative democracy
Citizens elect a politician who represents and makes decisions for them
Direct Democracy
Citizens vote directly on every issue
Constitutional monarchy
The monarch is recognized as head of state but is subject to our constitution
Vote of non-confidence
A statement or vote that a person in a position of responsibility is no longer deemed fit to hold that position
Federal system
An organization of provincial governments each acting on behalf of its own residents, with a central government in Ottawa
Caucus
Private meetings held by individual parties before debates to decide what stance to take
Question period
A daily period in the House of Commons for members to ask questions
Shadow Cabinet
Cabinet of the opposition
Patronage
The giving of offices and rewards in return for loyalty or favours to the party.
Supreme Court
The highest court of Canada
Constitution
Outlines the powers of the government
Constitution Act 1867
The law passed by the British Parliament creating the Dominion of Canada at Confederation
Voter apathy
Low voter turnout
Party platform
A list of priorities and a plan for government published by a political party
Majority Government
The ruling party has more than half the total number of seats in the legislature
Minority government
The ruling party has more seats than any other party, but the other parties combined have more seats than the government
Coalition government
A formal alliance of political parties
Proportional representation
Parties gain seats by the proportion/amount of votes they received in a large electoral district rather than having a single party win a riding by a majority
First-past-the-post system
The party with the most votes wins, even if they do not have the majority of voters
Civil disobedience
The act of intentionally breaking the law while protesting against unjust laws
Interest groups
Organized groups of individuals with common interests who attempt to pressure political decision makers
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
The bill identifying human rights that are guaranteed to everyone in Canada
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The UN outline of the rights to which all human beings are entitled
Convention on the Rights of the Child
Outlines children’s unique rights, specifically economic, social, and cultural rights
BC Human Rights Commission
Administers specific laws to deal with particular cases of discrimination, investigate complaints and find solutions
Human Rights Code
Protects citizens against discrimination, covering employment, tenancy and property purchases, accommodation, services, public facilities, and hate propaganda
Amending formula
For changes in the constitution to occur, 7 of 10 provinces representing at least 50% of Canada’s population must agree
Notwithstanding clause
Allows provincial or federal governments to opt out of clauses in the Charter for up to 5 years
