Government Unit 2

Question 1

Monarch/sovereign

Answer 1

The head of a nation
- approves the position of the Governor General
- ceremonial duties
- constitutional duties

Question 2

Governor General

Answer 2

The representative of the monarch in a country
- dissolves parliament
- military duties
- constitutional duties

Question 3

Prime Minister

Answer 3

The head of government in a country
- appoints members of cabinet
- deciding governing policy
- discusses policies and examines bills

Question 4

Cabinet

Answer 4

A group of senior government officials, usually heads of departments.
- advising the PM
- implementing laws
- sets the priorities for the country

Question 5

PCO (Prime Minister’s Office)

Answer 5

A government department that helps the PM and Cabinet run the country smoothly

Question 6

(PMO) Prime Minister’s office

Answer 6

A group of people who directly assist the PM

Question 7

Policies

Answer 7

Plans or guidelines to address issues

Question 8

Order in council

Answer 8

A formal decision made by the government, approved by the monarch

Question 9

Constitution

Answer 9

A set of fundamental principals that outlines how a country is governed.

Question 10

Convention

Answer 10

An unwritten rule

Question 11

Appoint

Answer 11

To choose someone for a specific role

Question 12

Patronage

Answer 12

Giving jobs to people as a reward for their loyalty

Question 13

Parliament

Answer 13

The law making body of Canada.

Question 14

MPs

Answer 14

Individuals elected to represent the people in a country’s parliament

Question 15

House of Commons

Answer 15

Made up of the MPs who are elected by the public; responsible for debating issues and passing laws

Question 16

Senate

Answer 16

One of the two parts of parliament; made of appointed members chosen by the governor general. Reviews and provides changes to bills passed by the House of Commons.

Question 17

Shadow cabinet

Answer 17

A group of people from the opposition party who critique the work of the government

Question 18

Backbenchers

Answer 18

Do not hold a government position; can debate and ask questions

Question 19

Governing party

Answer 19

The party that holds the majority of seats in the parliament

Question 20

Official opposition

Answer 20

The second highest seats in the parliament after the governing party

Question 21

Majority government

Answer 21

A party wins more than half of the seats in a parliament ( more stable )

Question 22

Minority government

Answer 22

The party that wins the most seats, but does not have more than half of the total seats. (Less stable)

Question 23

Coalition

Answer 23

An agreement between two or more political parties to work together to form a government

Question 24

Prorogue government

Answer 24

To temporarily suspend or end a session of parliament

Question 25

Dissolving parliament

Answer 25

To officially end a parliamentary session, leading to new elections.

Question 26

Vote of non-confidence

Answer 26

When MPs decide if they still trust the government to do its job. If enough members say they don’t trust it, the government has to leave and new elections are called.

Question 27

Leader of opposition

Answer 27

The head of the party with the second highest seats in parliament

Question 28

Bill

Answer 28

A proposal for a new law or change to an existing law that is present in a parliament

Question 29

Propose

Answer 29

Suggest an idea or plan

Question 30

Debate

Answer 30

Discussion where people express different opinions about an issue

Question 31

Amend

Answer 31

To make changes

Question 32

Party discipline

Answer 32

MPs vote for each other.

Question 33

Free vote

Answer 33

MPs can vote according to their own beliefs and wishes

Question 34

Royal assent

Answer 34

Once both houses pass the bill in identical form, it is sent to the Governor General to sign or veto the bill. If the governor signs it, the bill becomes law.

Question 35

1st reading

Answer 35

Bill is introduced (no debate yet)

Question 36

2nd reading

Answer 36

Debate on the general purpose of the bill

Question 37

3 rd reading

Answer 37

The final version of the bill is debated.

Question 38

Committee Stage

Answer 38

The bill is examined by a parliamentary committee or other experts.

Question 39

Report stage

Answer 39

The committee reports the bill back to the HOC with any amendments. Members debate and vote on these amendments.

Question 40

Report stage

Answer 40

The bill is reviewed again and members debate and vote on the amendments

Question 41

What is the purpose of the executive branch? What does each person in the executive branch do? How do they get their jobs?

Answer 41

- purpose: To enforce laws and make policies - The Monarch serves as the head of state for Canada, but their powers are limited due to the constitution. - The Governor General acts on behalf the monarch in Canada: dissolves parliament, sign bills into law, debate, military duties, appoints senators. - The prime minister is the head of government: leads the cabinet, makes policies, and selects cabinet members. - The cabinet develops policies to govern the country, introduce bills, oversee government departments. - The PCO supports the Prime Minister, cabinet, does research, organizes schedules and gets coffee. - The PMO supports the Prime Minister, cabinet, does research, organizes schedules and gets coffee. How do they get their jobs? - Monarch: born in the royal family - Governor General: appointed by the monarch, on advice of the PM - Prime minister: Elected by the public - Cabinet: Appoited by the PM on advice of Governor General - PCO: Chosen by cabinet members - PMO: Appointed by PM

Question 42

What is the purpose of the legislative branch? What does each person do in the legislative branch? How do they get their jobs?

Answer 42

Purpose of Legislative Branch: - Responsible for making laws and government spending. It ensures that it represents the interests of the people. Monarch: technically has final say on all laws, but hands this power over to the Governor General. Governor General: constitutional and military duties Prime minister: Has to answer in the HOC for all departments and agencies Cabinet: To set policies for the country and to assist the Prime Minister Leader of Official Opposition: To oppose the government policies and to criticize government activity Shadow Cabinet: Help develop alternative policies - Acts as spokespeople for the opposition party Backbenchers: Make recommendations to ministers All: To rely on their MPs to represent them make their concerns are heard. Senate: Participate in debates and propose amendments - look at the details of bill before they are passed - to represent one of the provinces or territories in Canada. How do they get their jobs? Monarch: Inherits position Governor General: appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister Prime minister: elected by the people Senate: appointed by the Governor General by the recommendation of the prime minister

Question 43

What process does a bill go through to become a law? Who can propose a law? How does that change the process?

Answer 43

Process: - First reading: a bill is introduced to either the HOC or Senate. (No debate yet) - Second reading: The bill is debated, members discuss its strengths and weaknesses - Committee Stage: Bill is examined by detail by a parliamentary committee or experts. - Report stage: The committee reports the bill back to the HOC with any amendments. Members debate on these amendments. - Third reading: Final version of the bill is debated - Royal Assent: Once both houses pass the bill in identical form, the Governor General decides to sign it or veto the bill. If the GG signs it, the bill becomes law. Who can propose a law? - MPs from HOC or Senate How does that change the process? - Cabinet ministers: Bills are more likely to be passed due to support from PM and the cabinet. - Senate: while they have the power to propose and pass bills, senate bills are more harder to advance and pass.