Vocabulary Flashcards
Democracy
Gives the people who are ruled by its laws certain rights over the actions and careers of those in power.
Suffrage
The right for women to vote
Riding
Geographical divisions made up of roughly 100,000 people.
House of Commons
All MP’s including the PM and Cabinet. Main part of parliamentary system. Where laws and spending decisions are made.
Parliament
Highest branch of gov that can make laws. Senate and HOC.
Senate
Gives bill a final look or “sober second thought”
Cabinet
Approximately 30 MP’s that are appointed by the PM and are in the same political party as the PM
Direct Democracy
Citizens vote directly on every issue
Representative democracy
Citizens elect a politician who makes decisions for them
Constitutional monarchy
The monarch is recognized as head of state but is subject to our constitution
Federal system
An organization of provincial governments each acting on behalf of its own residents, with a central government in Ottawa
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
Caucus
Private meetings held by individual parties before debates to decide what stance to take
Shadow Cabinet
Cabinet of the opposition
Question period
A daily period in the House of Commons for members to ask questions
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
Party platform
A list of priorities and a plan for government published by a political party
Voter apathy
Low voter turnout
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
First-past-the-post system
The party with the most votes wins, even if they do not have the majority of voters
Proportional representation
Parties gain seats by the proportion of votes they received in a large electoral district rather than having a single party win a riding by simple majority
Interest groups
Organized groups of individuals with common interests who attempt to pressure political decision makers
Civil disobedience
The act of intentionally breaking the law while protesting against unjust laws
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The UN outline of the rights to which all human beings are entitled
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
The bill identifying human rights that are guaranteed to everyone in Canada
Convention on the Rights of the Child
Outlines children’s unique rights, specifically economic, social, and cultural rights
Human Rights Code
Protects citizens against discrimination, covering employment, tenancy and property purchases, accommodation, services, public facilities, and hate propaganda
BC Human Rights Commission
Administers specific laws to deal with particular cases of discrimination, investigate complaints and find solutions
Notwithstanding clause
Allows provincial or federal governments to opt out of clauses in the Charter for up to 5 years
Amending formula
For changes in the constitution to occur, 7 of 10 provinces representing at least 50% of Canada’s population must agree
