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Choose a category to show related flashcards.Skip Navigation LinksA Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). An elected official in the provincial government.
A Member of the National Assembly (MNA). An elected official in the provincial government.
A Member of the Provincial Parliament (MPP). An elected official in the provincial government.
A Member of the House of Assembly (MHA). An elected official in the provincial government.
A Member of Parliament (MP). An elected official in the federal government.
• First Prime Minister of Canada (1867 - 1873) • Father of Confederation
3 Fathers of Confederation
(1) Sir Étienne-Paschal Taché
(2) Sir George-Étienne Cartier
(3) Sir John A. Macdonald.
A constitutional monarchy
When a monarch (king or queen) helps to maintain the rule of law that is in the Constitution. Canada is a consitutional monarchy.
The Canadian Constitution
A system of laws and conventions by which our country governs itself.
A group of people who have similar ideas about how their city, province or country should be governed.
A card that tells you when and where you can vote. The National Register of Electors mails a card to everyone who is a registered voter.
A poll that allows you to vote before election day, if you want to.
When you choose a political candidate by marking an "X" next to their name on a ballot.
Where you put your ballot after you have chosen a candidate.
When a national (federal) government deals with general national issues, and each province or territory manages local issues. Canada is a federal state.
A parliamentary democracy
When citizens vote in democratic elections, and elected politicians go to parliament to make laws. Canada is a parliamentary democracy.
When the majority of elected representatives in the House of Commons vote that they are not confident that cabinet ministers are doing their job. This leads to an election.
A group of 52 countries who are loyal to the Queen. Canada is a part of the commonwealth.
1921: She was the first woman to be a Member of Parliament (MP).
After an election, which party forms the government?
After an election, the party with the most seats in the House of Commons forms the government.
Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition
The name given to the opposition party with the most members in the House of Commons.
4 major political parties in the House of Commons
(1) Conservative Party
(2) Liberal Party
(3) New Democratic Party (NDP)
(4) Bloc Quebecois
The location voters go to vote.
The table inside the voting place where a voter receives his/her ballot.
The person who goes door to door collecting names of eligible voters for the voters list.
The person who is responsible to conduct the election in an electoral division.
The piece of paper a voter uses to vote.
Constituencies or ridings
For federal elections, the country of Canada is divided into 308 areas. Each area is called a constituency or a riding, and has some candidates who will run for office in the federal election.
For provincial elections, each province or territory is split into a number of areas. Each area is called an electoral division.
For municipal elections, each municipality (city, town..etc) is split into a number of areas. Each area is called a ward.
How are Members of Parliament chosen?
They are elected by voters in their local constituency (riding).
The idea that the government is responsible to the people, and the people must trust that the government is doing its job. If they lose the confidence of the House, the government resigns and an election is called.
Sir Louis-Hippolyte Lafontaine
Sir Louis-Hippolyte Lafontaine was the first leader of a responsible government in Canada in 1849.
The 3 branches of government
(1) Executive
(2) Legislative
(3) Judicial
The Queen vs the Prime Minister
The Queen is very different than the Prime Minister.
(1) The Prime Minister is the Head of Government. He is responsible to provide leadership for the governing of the country
(2) The Queen is Canada’s Head of State and the Head of the Commonwealth.
The 3 levels of government
Canada has three levels of government:
(1) Federal
(2) Provincial or territorial
(3) Municipal
• First French Canadian Prime Minister (1896 - 1911)
• He encouraged immigration to the West
• His portrait is on the $5 bill
• Prime Minister (1911 - 1920) • Gave women the right to vote in federal elections
Current Prime Minister (Head of Government, 2015 - present).
• Selects the cabinet • Responsible for government operations and policies
House of Commons - Duties
• Contains elected Members of Parliament (MP)
• Elections for MPs usually happen every four years
• Consider and review bills (proposed laws)
• Appointed by the Prime Minister and serve until age 75
• Consider and review bills
1758: Who was elected in Halifax?
First representative assembly elected in Halifax (NS).
1837 - 1838: A British reformer.who wanted to unite Upper and Lower Canada and make government more democratic.
Social and community health is the responsibility of what level of government?
Municipal government.
Recycling programs are the responsibility of what level of government?
Municipal goverment.
Transportation and Utilities are the responsibility of what level of government?
Municipal goverment.
Snow removal is the responsibility of what level of government?
Municipal goverment.
Firefighting is the responsibility of what level of government?
Municipal goverment.
Emergency services are the responsibility of what level of government?
Municipal goverment.
National defence is the responsibility of what level of government?
Federal government.
Foreign policy is the responsibility of what level of government?
Federal government.
Citizenship is the responsibility of what level of government?
Federal government.
The RCMP are the responsibility of what level of government?
Federal government.
Criminal justice is the responsibility of what level of government?
Federal government.
International trade is the responsibility of what level of government?
Federal government.
Aboriginal affairs are the responsibility of what level of government?
Federal government.
Trading and communications between provinces is the responsibility of what level of government?
Federal government.
Currency is the responsibility of what level of government?
Federal government.
National transportation (e.g. Via Rail) is the responsibility of what level of government?
Federal government.
Immigration is the responsibility of what level of government?
Federal and provincial government (shared).
Agriculture is the responsibility of what level of government?
Federal and provincial government (shared).
The environment is the responsibility of what level of government?
Federal and provincial government (shared).
Education is the responsibility of what level of government?
Provincial government.
Healthcare is the responsibility of what level of government?
Provincial government.
Natural resources are the responsibility of what level of government?
Provincial government.
Highways are the responsibility of what level of government?
Provincial government.
Policing is the responsibility of what level of government?
Provincial and municipal governments.
Property and civil rights are the responsibility of what level of government?
Provincial government.
A First Nations elected official.
Mayor (or reeve) & Councillors (or aldermen)
2 types of elected officials in municipal goverment.
The head of a province or territory.
The representative of the Queen in a province or territory.
The Queen's representative in Canada (federal government).
The elected head of government in Canada. The leader of the political party with the most elected Members of Parliament in the House of Commons.
3 key facts about Canada's government system
(1) Canada is a federal state (2) Canada is a parliamentary democracy (3) Canada is a constitutional monarchy.
Is located in Ottawa. People elect members to the House of Commons.
People who serve in the senate. They are appointed by the Governer General (on the advice of the Prime Minister).
The 7 steps to a Bill becoming law
(1) First Reading (2) Second reading (3) Committee Stage (4) Report Stage (5) Third Reading (6) Senate (7) Royal Assent.
Making a bill into a law: What is the First Reading?
When a bill is read for the first time and printed. The first step to make a bill into law.
Making a bill into a Law: What is the Second Reading?
When members debate the ideas in a bill. The second step to make a bill into law.
Making a bill into a Law: What is the Committee Stage?
When Committee members study a bill very carefully. The third step to make a bill into law.
Making a bill into a Law: What is the Report Stage?
When members make amendments to a bill. The fourth step to make a bill into law.
Making a bill into a Law: What is the Third Reading?
When members debate and vote on a bill. The fifth step to make a bill into law.
Making a bill into a Law: What is the Senate step?
When a bill follows a similar process in the Senate as in the House of Commons. The sixth step to make a bill into law.
Making a bill into a Law: What is the Royal Assent?
When a bill is approved by the Governor General after it is passed by the House of Commons and the Senate. The last step to make a bill into law.
The Head of the Commonwealth
The Queen.
Province Legislated by House of Assembly
Newfoundland and Labrador.
Province Legislated by National Assembly
Quebec.
Province Legislated by Provincial Parliament
Ontario.
Province Legislated by Legislative Assembly
PE, NS, NB, MB, SK, AB, BC, YT, NT, NU.
Executive Branch - Duties
Decision making branch of government.
Who is in the Executive Branch?
(1) Governor General (2) the Prime Minister and Cabinet (3) the administration (all government departments, armed forces, Crown corporations and others).
Legislative Branch - Duties
Have the power and responsibility to create laws.
Who is in the Legislative Branch?
(1) Governor General (2) House of Commons (3) the Senate
Upper House of Parliament
Another name for the Senate.
Senate votes on bills after they are passed by the House of Commons. They also investigate economic and social issues. Made up of senators appointed by Governor General.
Who is in the Judicial Branch?
Judges and courts
The 3 branches of government
(1) Executive branch (2) Legislative branch (3) Judicial branch
The 2 courts under the Supreme Court of Canada
(1) Federal Court of Canada (2) Provincial Courts
# of judges in the Supreme Court of Canada
9 judges.
Are judges elected or appointed to the Supreme Court?
Appointed.
Who appoints judges to the Supreme Court?
The Governor General.
The Current Prime Minister
Justin Trudeau.
The Current Governor General
The Chief Justice of Canada is currently serving as the administrator of the Government of Canada until such a time as the next governor general is installed.
Peace, Order and Good Government
An expression that means that Canadians believe in freedom, but it must have order. Canadians also believe in good and fair government.
