Canada's Federal Political System and Political Decision Making; ch. 1

Question 1

accountable / accountability

responsabilité (f)

Answer 1

answerable to someone for your actions; observable, transparent

obligation de répondre de ses actes; obligation de prendre des décisions observables et transparentes

Question 2

bias

préjugé (m)

Answer 2

an opinion based on unchallenged assumptions

croyance ou opinion préconçue, souvent imposée par le milieu, l’époque ou l’éducation

Question 3

constituent

électrice (f), électeur

Answer 3

someone who lives in a riding and is represented by an elected official from that riding

citoyen qui a le droit de voter

Question 4

executive branch

pouvoir (m) exécutif

Answer 4

the part of government responsible for putting laws into action

pouvoir chargé de la mise en oeuvre des lois

Question 5

judicial branch

pouvoir (m) judiciaire

Answer 5

the part of government that interprets and applies the law by making legal judgements

pouvoir chargé de rendre la justice

Question 6

legislation

législation (f)

Answer 6

laws created through the legislative process

ensemble des lois ou des dispositions législatives d’un pays, ou concernant un domaine particulier

Question 7

legislative branch

pouvoir législatif

Answer 7

the part of government that makes laws

pouvoir chargé de débattre des projets de loi et d’adopter les lois

Question 8

popular vote

suffrages (m) exprimés

Answer 8

the total votes cast in an election, as different from the total seats won in an election

nombre total de votes qu’obtient un parti politique à l’occasion d’une élection. Ce nombre ne se reflète pas dans le nombre total de sièges remportés lors d’une élection

Question 9

social program

programme (m) social

Answer 9

services provided by government to reduce economic inequalities and promote the well-being of citizens

services fournis par le gouvernment afin de réduire les inégalités économiques et de contribuer au bien-être des citoyens

Question 10

minorities

minorité (f)

Answer 10

groups in society who do not form the majority of the population

groupe qui ne forme pas la majorité dans une population donnée

Question 11

civil servants

fonction (f) publique / fonctionnaires

Answer 11

the people who serve Canadians as employees of the government

ensemble des employés de l’Etat qui servent les Canadiens

Question 12

What are the three branches of Canada’s Federal System?

Answer 12

• executive branch
• legislative branch
• judicial branch

Question 13

What are the responsibilities of the executive branch of Canada’s Federal System?

Answer 13

• proposes laws
• puts laws into action
• runs the day to day business of the government

Question 14

What are the responsibilities of the legislative branch of Canada’s Federal System?

Answer 14

• makes laws
• represents the interests and the rights of Canada’s regions

Question 15

What are the responsibilities of the judicial branch of Canada’s Federal System?

Answer 15

• applies and interprets laws

Question 16

What are the advantages of Canada’s senate?

Answer 16

• second look (sober second thought)
• represents minorities
• represents regions

Question 17

What are the disadvantages of Canada’s senate?

Answer 17

• not elected
• seen as “ineffective” because they are not elected

Question 18

Define popular vote

Answer 18

the total votes cast in the election is looked at and each party receives the same amount of seats as they did in the percentage of votes

Question 19

Define first past the post

Answer 19

in every electoral district the candidate with the most votes wins the seat in the House of Commons

(so by smaller regions we are getting winners, not by percentage of total in the entire country or province!)

Question 20

What is the benefit of using popular vote (instead of first past the post)?

Answer 20

all people who votes have representation in the government and parties need to cooperate and come up with a middle ground

Question 21

What is the benefit of using first past the post?

Answer 21

creates a clear majority that can effectively do what their party set out to do

Question 22

What is the role of members of parliament?

Answer 22

• represent the constituents in their riding
• create legislation

Question 23

Where do members of parliament work?

Answer 23

• House of Commons
• in their constituency (a body of constituents, the voters or residents in a district represented by an elective officer)

Question 24

Who gives the members of parliament their jobs?

Answer 24

The voters in their riding

Question 25

What is it called when the Prime Minister gives a member of parliament a special duty?

Answer 25

• appointed to Cabinet
  or
• given a portfolio

Question 26

What are some examples of portfolios given to members of parliament?

Answer 26

• agriculture
• defence
• finance
• health
• industry
• international trade
• natural resources
• revenue
• treasury
• Canadian heritage
• democratic reform
• fisheries and oceans
• human resources and social development
• intergovernmental affairs
• justice
• public safety
• seniors
• veteran affairs
• citizenship and immigration
• environment
• Indian and northern affairs
• international cooperation
• labour
• public works
• transportation

Question 27

What is the usual path that a bill takes before it becomes law?

Answer 27

house of commons –> senate –> royal assent

1. first reading of the bill (no debate, no vote)
2. second reading (with debate and vote) Does the bill serve the interests of Canadians?
3. committee stage - studying the bill with experts
4. report stage - committee issues this with recommendations
5. Third reading - debate and vote on the final form of the bill

(if any changes are made, we regress and start over; the House of Commons always gets the last vote because the MPs are elected so this truly represents the interests of Canadians as closely as possible.)

Question 28

Which people or what processes make sure that the government is doing what they should be? We can call these “government watchdogs” since they are responsible for holding the government accountable for their actions.

Answer 28

• media (inform the public)
• elections (people can then vote for a different party)
• interest groups (lobby groups hold meetings to inform the government that people don’t feel the same as what the government feels)
• opposition parties (represent other ideologies and debate on proposed legislations)

Question 29

lobbyist

Answer 29

someone who is paid to represent the interests of a particular group to key decision makers in government

Question 30

examples of lobby groups

Answer 30

Canadian Association of Petroleum
Producers
Green Peace
Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Question 31

who hires lobby groups?

Answer 31

other groups that have an interest in what the lobby groups have to say and want the laws and policies to be put in practice that represent these ideologies

Question 32

what is the role of lobby groups?

Answer 32

to influence decision makers in favour of their clients interests

Question 33

how do lobby groups influence?

Answer 33

• offer different perspectives so that the issue can be known in more depth

Question 34

cabinet

Answer 34

• the body of advisors that sets the federal government’s policies and priorities for the country.
• The Governor General appoints the members of Cabinet on the advice of the Prime Minister. Almost all of Cabinet is selected from the House of Commons. From time to time, a Senator may be included to ensure all parts of the country are represented.
• The Governor General almost always acts on Cabinet’s advice.
• Cabinet is the Prime Minister’s forum for creating consensus among the Government’s ministers. It is an informal political mechanism even though its decisions carry a great deal of weight.
• In Cabinet, the Prime Minister may lead members to agreement on matters that each will be expected to defend publicly.
• Each minister is normally responsible for a government department. Ministers receive confidential advice from the public service and are held accountable for their decisions in Parliament and the country.

In Canada, the cabinet system performs several key functions:

Securing agreement among ministers on Government priorities
Securing agreement on parliamentary actions by the Government
Providing a forum for ministerial debate on issues of general interest
Providing adequate information to ministers on decisions for which they will be held responsible
Providing adequate information to the Prime Minister to carry out his/her responsibilities and leadership role

Question 35

campaign contributions / campaign donations

Answer 35

Campaign finance laws—which dictate who can contribute to a campaign, how much they can contribute, and how those contributions must be reported—vary by province and country.

Question 36

campaigning

Answer 36

Candidates for political office raise money to fund their campaigns and to demonstrate the breadth of their support.

Question 37

election process

Answer 37

Step 1: Dissolution of Parliament
Before candidates hit the campaign trail and voters go to the polls, the government has to end all business in Parliament. Dissolution is the process of stopping parliamentary business to prepare for an election.

The Prime Minister asks the Governor General to dissolve Parliament.
The Governor General directs the Chief Electoral Officer to issue the writs of election. (A writ is a formal written order that tells election officers in each riding to hold an election.)
The Chief Electoral Officer issues the writs.
Elections Canada sends a preliminary list of voters to the returning officers. This list tells them who is registered to vote in their riding.
Since May 2007, the Canada Elections Act provides for a general election to be held on a fixed date: the third Monday of October in the fourth calendar year following the previous general election. But the Act does not prevent a general election from being called earlier or later, as long as it is no later than five years after the previous election.

Step 2: Nomination of Candidates
Political parties need to choose candidates to run in an election. As soon as the election writs are issued, each party must decide who will be its candidate for each riding. A candidate can also run for election without being affiliated with a party, as either an “independent” candidate or a candidate with “no affiliation.”

The right to run in a federal election is protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

What are the basic requirements to become a candidate?

You must be a Canadian citizen.
You must be at least 18 years old on election day.
You must not be:
a person who is not qualified as an elector
a member of the legislative assembly of a province or territory
the Chief Electoral Officer
a judge appointed by the Governor General
an election officer, or
a person who is imprisoned in a correctional institution.
You must submit either a Nomination Paper or an online nomination form to Elections Canada.
Did you know? Party affiliation (i.e. the name of a candidate’s party) has been included on ballots since 1970.

Step 3: Campaigning
Once the election writs are issued, candidates start campaigning. The election or campaign period must be at least 37 days and no more than 51 days.

During the campaign, the goal of the parties and candidates is to convince voters that they are the best party or person for the job. To do this, parties and candidates:

promote their platform (usually this is a document that parties use to tell voters about their goals, ideas and principles—it is a way for parties to put in writing what they would do if they are elected)
go door to door in their riding to meet with voters, and
take part in debates with candidates of other parties.
Did you know? In the 2021 federal election, 2,010 Canadians registered as candidates.

Step 4: Voting
Voting is an important civic duty. To vote in a federal election, you must be a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old on election day and registered to vote.

There are several ways to vote:

Vote on election day
Vote on advance polling days
Vote at any Elections Canada office
Vote by mail
In-person voting at polling stations is the most common way to vote. On average, Elections Canada has 20,000 polling stations across Canada during an election.

The voting process
Everyone votes in secret. They have the right to choose their preferred candidate free of anyone else’s influence.

To vote, people must show proof of their identity and address.
Each voter gets a ballot from an election officer.
The voter takes the ballot behind a voting screen and marks an X beside the name of their chosen candidate.
The voter places their ballot in a ballot box.
Did you know? There are many tools and services, such as magnifiers and large-grip pencils, to help make the vote accessible to all.

Step 5: Counting and Results
Once the polls close, it is time to count the ballots and find out who won. During this time, the doors of the polling station are locked: no one is allowed to enter or leave until the counting is done.

First, election officers open the ballot boxes and count the ballots.
The election officers record the number of votes for each candidate on a Statement of the Vote. They also record the number of rejected ballots.
The ballots and other election documents are sealed in the ballot box and delivered to the returning officer.
In most cases, a clear winner emerges after the ballots are counted, but sometimes the vote count is very close or even tied. If there is a tie or a close vote, the ballots need to be counted again in a judicial recount. For example, in an electoral district with 40,000 votes cast, a judicial recount would be required if a candidate won by fewer than 40 votes. A judge presides over these recounts.

For some people, the most exciting part of the election process is the announcing of the results.

On election night, once the polls in a riding are closed, preliminary results are announced and published on Elections Canada’s website as they become available.
These results are shared by media outlets, such as TV stations, newspapers and social media.
Every returning officer validates the results and announces them to the candidates.
Did you know? Canada’s voting system is called “first past the post.” This means the candidate who gets the most votes in their riding wins.

Step 6: Parliament Resumes
Once the votes are counted and the results announced, Canadians learn who their government will be. The candidate who receives the most votes in their riding becomes the member of Parliament (MP) and represents the riding in the House of Commons. The political party that has the most MPs usually forms the government. The leader of that party normally becomes the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister and their party will serve as the Government of Canada until Parliament is dissolved and the election process starts again.

Question 38

electorate

Answer 38

all the people in a country or area who are entitled to vote in an election

Question 39

federal court

Cour fédérale

Answer 39

The Federal Court is Canada’s national trial court which hears and decides legal disputes arising in the federal domain. The Court is based in Ottawa, but its members are required to travel throughout Canada to hear cases within its national jurisdiction, thereby providing convenient access to justice to all Canadians.

Question 40

First Past the Post

Answer 40

First past the post is the winner-take-all voting system used for federal and provincial elections in Canada.

Federally, Canada is divided into 338 ridings – 338 geographical areas that each elect one Member of Parliament.

While we talk about a “federal election”, what we really have are 338 separate riding elections, each run using first past the post.

In each riding the voters who choose the most popular candidate elect an MP.

Other voters do not elect any representation. Their votes made no difference.

Question 41

Governor General

Answer 41

Appointed by The King on the advice of the prime minister, the governor general usually holds office for 5 years. Lieutenant Governors fulfill the responsibilities and functions of The King in the provinces in the same way that the governor general does at the national level.

In 1947, Letters Patent Constituting the Office of the governor general of Canada (under King George VI) authorized the governor general to exercise most of the Crown’s powers on behalf of the Sovereign.

The governor general has important parliamentary responsibilities:

summoning, proroguing and dissolving Parliament
setting out the government’s program by reading the Speech from the Throne
giving Royal Assent, which brings parliamentary bills into law
The governor general is also Commander-in-Chief of Canada. He or she visits military bases and honours Canadian military personnel on behalf of The King.

The governor general also fulfills important ceremonial duties:

promoting a sense of identity
recognizing the achievements of outstanding Canadians
receiving foreign dignitaries
travelling overseas as the representative of Canada
hosting and taking part in official events

Question 42

House of Commons

Chambre de communes

Answer 42

The House of Commons of Canada is the lower house of the Parliament of Canada. Together with the Crown and the Senate of Canada, they comprise the bicameral legislature of Canada.

Question 43

how a bill is passed

Answer 43

To become law, a bill must first be introduced in either the Senate or the House of Commons. It must then pass through various stages in each House: first, second and third reading. Then it must receive Royal Assent.

Policy Proposal
Most legislation originates with the Government. Policy proposal requiring legislation is submitted to Cabinet by Minster(s).

Cabinet
Policy proposal is considered by the appropriate Cabinet committee and recommendations are made to the Cabinet.
If Cabinet approves, the responsible Ministry issues drafting instructions to the Legislation Section of the Department of Justice.
Draft bill is prepared in two official languages and approved by the responsible Minster.
Draft bill is presented to Cabinet for approval.
If approved it is ready to be introduced in Parliament.
Parliament
First Reading
First reading in either the Senate or the House of Commons. Bill is printed.

Second Reading
Second reading in the same House of Parliament. Members debate and vote on the principle of the bill. The House may decide to refer the bill to a legislative, standing or a special committee, or to Committee of the Whole.

Consideration in Committee
Consideration by the appropriate parliamentary committee (clause-by-clause study of the bill). Committee can summon witnesses and experts to provide it with information and help in improving the bill.

Report Stage
Committee reports the bill to the House clearly indicating any amendments propsosed. House considers amendments and votes for or against them.

Third Reading
Debate and vote on bill as amended.
Once bill has been read 3 times in the House, it is sent to the Senate for its consideration.

Royal Assent
Bill is presented to the Governor General for assent.
The Governor General may assent to Bill in the Queen’s name, withhold assent or reserve assent.
When Bill is given Royal Assent it becomes law.

In Force
Statute is in force:
upon Royal Assent, or when it is proclaimed by the Governor General, or on a day specified in the act Different sections may come into force at different times

Question 44

income tax

Answer 44

Income tax is the portion of annual income that individual residents of Canada pay to the government. Revenue generated by the income tax is handled by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and used to fund government services such as health care, public education, and the military.

Question 45

minority government

Answer 45

A minority government has fewer than half the seats and requires support from opposition MPs.

Question 46

official opposition

Answer 46

The opposition serves as a critical check on the government, questioning its policies and suggesting alternatives. The role of the opposition is to criticize government activity, hold the government accountable, propose improvements and present itself to the public as an alternative to the party in office.

Question 47

parliament

Answer 47

Senators and Members of Parliament work together to represent Canadians from across the country.

Parliament passes laws that affect all Canadians, in areas like foreign policy and national defence. Each province makes its own laws in other domains, such as education and health care.

Canada is also a constitutional monarchy. This means that the Monarch is the Head of State and the Prime Minister is the Head of Government. Bills are created and passed by Parliament and signed into law by the Governor General (the Monarch’s representative in Canada).

There are three parts of Parliament, which all work together to create new laws:
1. Monarch (governor general represents them in Canada)
2. Senate (appointed upper chamber, represents Canada by region)
3. House of Commons (elected lower chamber, represents Canada by population)

Question 48

political candidates

Answer 48

An applicant for a political position. The term candidate most commonly refers to candidates standing for election for political offices.

Question 49

political party

Answer 49

The Canada Elections Act defines a political party as “an organization one of whose fundamental purposes is to participate in public affairs by endorsing one or more of its members as candidates and supporting their election.”

Question 50

prime minister

Answer 50

The prime minister (PM) is the head of the federal government. It is the most powerful position in Canadian politics. Prime ministers are not specifically elected to the position; instead, the PM is typically the leader of the party that has the most seats in the House of Commons. The prime minister controls the governing party and speaks for it; names senators and senior judges for appointment; and appoints and dismisses all members of Cabinet. As chair of Cabinet, the PM controls its agenda and greatly influences the activities and priorities of Parliament. In recent years, a debate has emerged about the growing power of prime ministers, and whether this threatens other democratic institutions.

Question 51

senate

Answer 51

The Senate is the Upper House in Canada’s bicameral parliamentary democracy. Parliament has 105 senators. Senators scrutinize legislation, suggest improvements and fix mistakes. When the Senate speaks, the House of Commons listens — a bill must pass the Senate before it can become law.

Senators also propose their own bills and generate debate about issues of national importance in the collegial environment of the Senate Chamber, where ideas are debated on their merit.

Created to counterbalance representation by population in the House of Commons, the Senate has evolved from defending regional interests to giving voice to underrepresented groups like Indigenous peoples, visible minorities and women.

Question 52

tax breaks

Answer 52

A tax deduction, credit, exemption, or exclusion that helps individuals and businesses save money on their tax bills.

Question 53

representation by population

Answer 53

A political system in which seats in a legislature are allocated on the basis of population. It upholds a basic principle of parliamentary democracy that all votes should be counted equally.

Extra information for context:

Representation by population was a deeply divisive issue among politicians in the Province of Canada (1841–67). Nicknamed “rep by pop,” it became an important consideration in the lead up to Confederation

Rep by Pop first arose as an issue prior to 1841. It came up during the debate over whether to unite Upper and Lower Canada under a single government. (See also: Durham Report.) According to the eventual terms of the Act of Union, the two parts of what became the Province of Canada would be represented in the legislature by an equal number of representatives. This was in spite of the fact that Canada East (formerly Lower Canada; present-day Quebec) had 59 per cent of the population. Canada West (formerly Upper Canada; present-day Ontario) had 41 per cent. This meant English-speaking Canadians were overrepresented in the legislature.

The arrangement of equal seats for the two Canadas was called “sectional equality.” It was acceptable to the mostly English-speaking and Protestant population of Canada West. They felt they needed a legislative safeguard against the more populous Canada East. They had long-standing feelings of mistrust and prejudice toward the largely Roman Catholic, French-speaking Canadiens and believed a Roman Catholic “priestocracy” in that colony wielded too much political influence. The goal was to assimilate French Canadians to English Canadian culture and norms.

Sectional equality drew protests from politicians in Canada East. They argued that it left them powerless in the new legislature, and they resented the attempt to assimilate them. They were the first to demand Rep by Pop.

Question 54

judges

Answer 54

their job is to interpret and apply the laws of Canada. In Canada, Judges are appointed by the government and not elected.

The provincial government appoints judges in the Provincial Court.

The federal government appoints Supreme Court and Court of Appeal judges.

Question 55

political platforms

Answer 55

Here are some thoughts on the political platforms of the 5 major political parties in Canada:

The Bloc Québécois platform is almost entirely centered on provincial issues.

The Conservative Party platform works towards lower taxes; they say they are trying to protect the lives and property of ordinary citizens, promote democratic accountability and reform the senate to make it a fully elected chamber.

The Green Party platform has ambitious climate goals

The Liberal platform contains commitments on many issues that they accomplish with higher taxes but also does not address other significant issues like privatization.

The NDP platform is said to contain realistic commitments on all the major issues, so some things may change under their leadership but not much

Question 56

supreme court

Answer 56

Canada’s final court of appeal. It serves Canadians by deciding legal issues of public importance, thereby contributing to the development of all branches of law applicable within Canada. The independence of the Court, the quality of its work and the esteem in which it is held both in Canada and abroad contribute significantly as foundations for a secure, strong and democratic country founded on the Rule of Law.

Question 57

lobby group

Answer 57

organizations or people outside of government attempt to influence the decision making of elected politicians or government officials at the municipal, provincial or federal level.

Question 58

majority government

Answer 58

A majority government is formed when a political party has more than half of the seats in the House of Commons.

Question 59

media

Answer 59

television, radio, films, Internet, newspapers, printed books, and magazines.