How Canadians Govern Themselves Flashcards
Discover Canada (41 cards)
There are three key facts about Canada’s system of government: our country is a ____, a ____ and a ____.
There are three key facts about Canada’s system of government: our country is a federal state, a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy.
In our federal state, the federal government takes responsibility for matters of ____ and ____ concern.
These include defence, foreign policy, interprovincial trade and communications, currency, navigation, criminal law and citizenship.
In our federal state, the federal government takes responsibility for matters of national and international concern.
These include defence, foreign policy, interprovincial trade and communications, currency, navigation, criminal law and citizenship.
The provinces are responsible for municipal government, ____, health, natural resources, ____ and civil rights, and highways.
The provinces are responsible for municipal government, education, health, natural resources, property and civil rights, and highways.
The federal government and the provinces share jurisdiction over ____ and ____.
The federal government and the provinces share jurisdiction over agriculture and immigration.
Every province has its own elected ____, like the House of Commons in Ottawa.
Every province has its own elected Legislative Assembly, like the House of Commons in Ottawa.
Who are Cabinet ministers responsible to?
Cabinet ministers are responsible to the elected representatives, which means they must retain the “confidence of the House” and have to resign if they are defeated in a non-confidence vote.
Parliament has three parts: ____, the ____ and the ____.
Parliament has three parts: the Sovereign (Queen or King), the Senate and the House of Commons.
In the federal government, the ____ selects the ____ and is responsible for the operations and policy of the government.
In the federal government, the Prime Minister selects the Cabinet ministers and is responsible for the operations and policy of the government.
The ____ is the representative chamber, made up of members of Parliament elected by the people, traditionally every four years.
The House of Commons is the representative chamber, made up of members of Parliament elected by the people, traditionally every four years.
____ are appointed by the Governor General on the advice
of the Prime Minister and serve until age 75.
Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice
of the Prime Minister and serve until age 75.
Both the ____ and the ____ consider and review bills (proposals for new laws).
Both the House of Commons and the Senate consider and review bills (proposals for new laws).
As a constitutional monarchy, Canada’s Head of State is a ____, who reigns in accordance with the Constitution:
the rule of law.
As a constitutional monarchy, Canada’s Head of State is a hereditary Sovereign (Queen or King), who reigns in accordance with the Constitution:
the rule of law.
Her Majesty is a symbol of Canadian ____, a guardian of constitutional ____, and a reflection of our history.
Her Majesty is a symbol of Canadian sovereignty, a guardian of constitutional freedoms, and a reflection of our history.
Other constitutional monarchies include Denmark, ____, Sweden,
Australia, ____, The Netherlands, Spain, ____, Japan, Jordan and Morocco.
Other constitutional monarchies include Denmark, Norway, Sweden,
Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Spain, Thailand, Japan, Jordan and Morocco.
The Sovereign is represented in Canada by the ____, who is appointed by the Sovereign on the advice of the ____, usually for five years.
The Sovereign is represented in Canada by the Governor General, who is appointed by the
Sovereign on the advice of the Prime Minister, usually for five years.
In each of the ten provinces, the Sovereign is represented by the ____, who is appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the ____, also normally for five years.
In each of the ten provinces, the Sovereign is represented by the Lieutenant Governor, who is appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister, also normally for five years.
Three branches of government work together but also sometimes in creative tension, helps to securethe rights and freedoms of Canadians.
Name them.
The interplay between the three branches of government—the Executive, Legislative and Judicial.
What do these terms stand for?
- MLA
- MNA
- MPP
- MHA
- Members of the legislature are called members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs)
- Members of the National
Assembly (MNAs) - Members of the Provincial
Parliament (MPPs) - Members of the House of
Assembly (MHAs)
In the three territories, the ____ represents the federal government and plays a ceremonial role.
In the three territories, the Commissioner represents the federal government and plays a ceremonial role.
Canadians vote in elections for the people they want to represent them in the ____.
Canadians vote in elections for the people they want to represent them in the House of Commons.
Under legislation passed by Parliament, how often must federal elections be held?
Under legislation passed by Parliament, federal elections must be held on the third Monday in October every four years following the most recent general election.
Canada is divided into ____ electoral districts, also known as ____ or ____.
Canada is divided into 308 electoral districts, also known as ridings or constituencies.
Name 3 eligibility criteria to vote in a federal election.
You are eligible to vote in a federal election or cast a ballot in a federal
referendum if you are:
* a Canadian citizen; and
* at least 18 years old on voting day; and
* on the voters’ list.
Which agency produces the voters’ lists used during federal elections?
The voters’ lists used during federal elections and referendums are produced from the National Register of Electors by a neutral agency of Parliament called Elections Canada.
