Civics chapter's 4 & 5 Review

Question 1

who is Shannon Koostachin and what did she do

Answer 1

-8th grade first nations who attended a school that was cold in the winter and had mold issues
-there portables where meant to be temporary until a new school was built into a diesel line
-when they found out their wasn’t enough money to build a new school, she and her classmates began a campaign called Students Helping Students Campaign, which informed others about the underfunding of First Nations education in Canada
-she engaged in more activism and was nominated for the Children’s noble peace prize
-she passed away in a car crash and family continued raising awareness for Shannnon’s Dream
-through Shannon’s Dream, a motion to the underfunding of education on reserves was launched in Parliament.

Question 2

What is a constitution and why is it important in a democracy?

Answer 2

a constitution is a formal set of rules, principles, and procedures for running a country. (how a country is and how its people is governed). Its important in a democracy because it explains the rules and functions of the government, acts as a supreme law of Canada, and explains the rights of citizens.

Question 3

what is required to change the constitution

Answer 3

approval of the federal government and at least 7 provinces representing 50% of the population. Called amending formula.

Question 4

What is treaty and what did they cover

Answer 4

a formal agreement between Aboriginal peoples and the federal government.
they covered trade, defense, use of resources, and access to land

Question 5

3 federal, provincial, and shared responsibilities

Answer 5

federal - defense, international trade, citizenship
provincial - education, marriage, healthcare
shared - agriculture, immigration, jails & courts

Question 6

3 branches of government

Answer 6

executive - carry out the business of government
legislative - make laws
judicial - interpret and enforce laws

Question 7

responsibilities of an MP

Answer 7

-attend sessions of the house of commons
-represent the views of the voters and their party during debates
-participate in parliamentary committees
-ask questions of the prime minister and other cabinet ministers

Question 8

three similarities of a premier and a prime minister

Answer 8

-head of government
-leaders of their political parties
-responsible for choosing their cabinet and running the meetings

Question 9

what is the role of the crown at the federal and provincial level

Answer 9

provincial - lietenant-governor
-edith dumont
-dissolves, prorogues and summons the legislature at the premier’s request
-reads speech from the throne
-swears in the premier, minster, and other officials
-grants royal asset make bills into laws
-advises the premier

federal - governor general
- mary simon
-dissolves, prorogues and summons the legislature at the premier’s request
-reads speech from the throne
-swears in the premier, minister, and other officials
-grants royal assent to make bills into laws
-advises the prime minster

Question 9

how is a cabinet chosen and who chooses it

Answer 9

cabinet ministers are appointed by the MP or premier at their levels of government.

Question 10

role of the senate

Answer 10

reviewing laws - review laws made in house of commons and suggest improvements. can also introduce bills to be passed into law

representing regional interests - certain # of senators are appointed from each region, allowing regions to have a voice in the passing of laws, and limits the power of more populated parts of the country.

providing stability to the government - serve until 75, so members do not have to be re-elected every 5 years. these appointments allow senators to concentrate on the business of the government rather than party politics.

Question 11

2 reasons why senate should be abolished and 2 why it should be elected

Answer 11

abolished
-senators are appointed not elected
-very difficult to remove them if they are not doing their job properly

elected
-represents regions, so it balances power among regions
-provide stability to the government

Question 12

prorogue parliament

Answer 12

to end the current session

Question 13

dissolve parliament

Answer 13

to terminate parliament and every seat in the house of commons becomes vacant

Question 14

how can citizens be involved in law making

Answer 14

-voting
-lobbying
-joining interest groups

Question 15

what is MADD an example of and how have they created changes in the law

Answer 15

-ex of interest group: group the strongly supports a particular cause
-also considered lobbyist groups cause they try to influence the government to pass certain laws
-mothersagainst drunk drivers: they aim to prevent drunk driving, hold affenders accountable, and help victims by enforcing more laws and creating breathilizer decices in cars

Question 16

what are the steps involved in how a bill becomes a law (7)

Answer 16

-introduction and first reading: bill introduces in house of commons or senate by the government. bill is given a number and is public

-second reading: MP/MPPs debate and vote on the main ideas of the bill (public too)

-committee stage: committee studies the bill, looking for errors and other problems

-report stage: committee reports its findings, and the problems are corrected

-third reading: revised bill is debated and voted on

-bill goes to the senate: at federal level, bill is senate and goes through the same process

-royal assent: at federal level, bill becomes a law when signed by the governor general. at provincial level, it becomes a law when signed by the lieutenant governor

Question 17

3 reasons why young people should vote and 3 reasons why they should not

Answer 17

why
-representation: youths voice in politics
-impact: directly influence laws and choices that effect their lives
-civic duty: opportunity to contribute to the running of their community

not
-disappointment: feeling vote would have no impact
-accessible barriers: inconvenient locations, long lines, registration
-lack of information: unaware about political issues or candidates

Question 18

criteria to become a politican

Answer 18

must be 18 years <18 years old and a Canadian citizen.

Question 19

party platform

Answer 19

set of ideas and promises created during an election to explain a party’s position on important issues

Question 20

political spectrum and how does it reflect political ideology

Answer 20

political spectrum: a system for classifying political beliefs, often on a left to right

political ideology: set of beliefs about how a society should work and about the role of the government in relation to economic, social, and moral affairs

Question 21

list the idea of each major parties in Canada

Answer 21

PC
-smaller limited government
-supports lower taxes for people & buissnesses
-increased spending on military
-harsh treatment for law breakers

LIBERAL
-balance between public sector and private buisiness
-socially progressive: supports change in traditional values
-supports social programs such as health care and old age pension

NDP
-econimic equality
-spending on social programs
-taxing large corporations and wealthy
-wide range of rights
-ties to orgranized labour such as unions

Question 22

why do regional and protest parties exist? provide ex of both

Answer 22

regional: due to Canada’s geographical size, political parties focus on a particular region ex. Quebecois

protest: platform addresses one issue of cause. ex: Marijuana party of canada -> supports legalization of cannabis

Question 23

how does media play an important role in how citizens perceive politicians

Answer 23

covering, interpreting, and framing political events and actions, the media changes the publics perception of politician and affects public opinion and electoral outcomes

Question 24

3 examples of media bias explain them

Answer 24

bias by story selection: stories focus on ONE politician - come across more important

bias by tone: using sarcastic or derogatory tone about a politician influencing a reader

bias by selection of sources: quotes from individuals who have a particular political view- only 1 perspective

Question 25

what are steps that dictate the electoral process (5)

Answer 25

-election is called
-voters list
-campaigning
-voting
-the results

Question 26

what are electoral districts? how many are in canada? what is the average population of a district?

Answer 26

electoral district: area represented by a member of parliament in the house of commons, or an area represented by a member of the provincial or territorial legislative assembly
how many: 8
average: about 100 thousand people

Question 27

how long does a federal campaign usually last? how does a provincial campaign last

Answer 27

federal: 36 days by law
provincial (ontario): 28 days

Question 27

what is more effective to the public and attack ad or positive ad? why? does it ever backfire?

Answer 27

-an attack ad is more effective
-however negative messages can back fire the the liberal leader Jean Chretien)

Question 28

what is the difference between a majority and minority government? how many seats a majority in the house of commons?

Answer 28

majority government: formed by a party that wins more than half the seats in the house of commons (federal level) or the legislative assembly (provincial level)

Minority: formed by party that wins half or fewer than the seats in the house of commons or legislative assembly

Question 29

First past the post voting system advantage and disadvantage

Answer 29

candidate receives most number of votes wins the sit in an electoral district

pros: -produces clear winner/simple to understand
-results in majority governments, easier to get things done

cons: -only receive 30-40% of overall vote, more often people vote for losing candidate
-do not get to vote directly for their premier or prime minister. instead the party with the most winning candidates forms the government and chose their leader for PM or P

Question 30

proportional representation voting system advantage and disadvantages

Answer 30

the number of seats held by a political party is in proportion of the number of votes the party receives

pro- more diversity, small political parties have better odds of gaining a seat

con- unstable governments that have trouble making decisions due to difficult compromising between parties
-complex system/ difficult for voters to understand

Question 31

which voting system is more reprehensive of the canadian vote

Answer 31

Proportional representation allows for a more accurate turnout of seats according to the amount of votes for each party.