Three Branches of Our Federal Government Flashcards
(37 cards)
What are Political Parties?
Organizations that wish to achieve control over the process of the government.
Organized groups of people with the same ideologies.
Gains control by getting more of its candidates elected to office than its opposition.
Senators - What do they do? Elected or Appointed? To whom are they accountable?
105 Senators - Takes part in committee work to understand bills. Specialize in a certain area.
Appointed by the Governor general by suggestion of the Prime Minister.
Accountable to all of Canada. They represent the rights and interests of the region they are appointed to.
What does the Judicial Branch do and who does it include?
-Interprets the laws passed in parliament in a fair and proper way.
-They can strike down a law that impedes on the charter of rights and freedoms.
-Acts as a check on the government powers.
Consists of the supreme court, provincial/territorial courts, judges and lawyers.
What’s a Lobby group?
Also known as a pressure group.
Dont have direct input but put pressure on the government. They have similar opinions. Try to make the country a better place. Another way for citizens to participate.
What does the Legislative Branch do and who is a part of it?
Also known as the Parliamentary Branch -Debates and passes laws. The major law making body in the Federal political system.
Consists of the Senate, House of commons and the Governor General.
What’s a Lobbyist?
Someone who isn’t a part of the government but can influence them. They Put pressure on the government by meeting with an MP to influence them. Lobbyists have to be registered (Or its corrupt) and they are paid.
What’s a Governor General and what do they do?
He/She represents the monarch. They appoint the PM as head of the government, open new sessions of parliament, dissolves parliament and gives royal assent to bills passed in the Senate and House of Commons.
What happens in the House of commons?
Bills are debated/passed by MPs and bills can be introduced. This chamber is filled with green carpet and there is 343 seats/MPs.
What are Government Agencies/portfolios? And what are some examples?
Specific issues/responsibilities of the government. Ex. Ministry of Health, Ministry of Foreign affairs, ect.
What does it mean to have a Minority Government?
Have less than half of the 343 seats. Dont have complete control.
What do Provincial/Territorial courts deal with?
Criminal offences, money matters and family matters. They have the power to deal with everything except the most serious things such as murder.
MPs - What do they do? Elected or Appointed? To whom are they accountable?
343 Members of Parliament - Review and debate new bills and take part in question period. Elected by a riding. Accountable to their ridings and people in them.
What does it mean to have a Majority Government?
More than half of the 343 seats. Has complete control over the government.
What happens in the Senate?
Bills are introduced/passed. More specialized than the MP’s. Filled with red carpet and senators come here.
What’s the Supreme Court and what do they do?
The highest court in Canada. They deal with the constitution and act as a power check on the government.
What is the Cabinet and how do they get their job?
Responsible for a portfolio and are an MP. Selected by the PM.
What does the Prime Minister do and how do they get their job?
They appoint the cabinet and decide on portfolios. The PM gets their job by leading the party with the most seats and getting elected within a riding.
What’s a Constituency?
Also a federal riding/riding. Canada is split into ridings by population. One person from a party seeks to be elected from that riding to be an MP for them.
What does the Executive Branch do and who is a part of it?
Develops and implements laws. Runs the day to day business and decides on everything government. Ex. spending, policies, programs. They also put laws int action.
Consists of the Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers and Government Departments.
What is the process of bill to law?
-Introduction and first reading = Read the bill, no vote or debate.
-Second reading = Debate and vote on the idea behind the bill.
-Committee stage = Detailed study of the bill with specialists.
-Report Stage = Debate and vote on amendments (If none, this is skipped)
-Third reading = Debate and vote on final form of the bill.
-To the other chamber = same process.
-Royal assent = Governor General gives royal assent.
Fun fact - Bills started in the Senate will start with an S (Ex. S-112). Bills Started in the house of commons will start with a C (Ex. C-121).
What’s a Bill?
A proposed law that hasn’t yet been passed in the chambers.
What’s a Law?
An official rule that has been passed by the government.
What’s an Electoral Riding and what is another name for it?
Constituency - The sections that Canada is divided into for elections and MP’s.
What does it mean to Govern?
To run or control a country, province, or city by making and enforcing laws and decisions through a government.
