1
Q
Government
A
a decision-making system
2
Q
traditions
A
established rules and practices
3
Q
Democracy
A
- means “rule by the people”
- first practiced by ancient greeks
4
Q
direct democracy
A
when every eligible citizen participates directly by voting on all decisions that affect society
5
Q
representative democracies
A
ex. Canada
- allow elected representatives to make decisions on their behalf
6
Q
constitutional monarchy
A
the recgonition of a monarch as head of state
7
Q
What is the constitution?
A
a legal document that outlines who should have the power to make various decisions
- everyone (including monarchy) must follow laws
8
Q
3 main parts of the constitution
A
- description of the powers and authority of of provincial legislatures and Parliment
- a Charter of Rights and Freedoms (outline basic rights and responsibilites of Canadians)
- an amending formula that shows how the Constitution may be changed or altered (7/10 provinces must agree)
9
Q
federal system
A
an organization of regional governments (provinces) each acting on behalf of its own residents with a central government in Ottawa
- sometimes reffered to federalism
10
Q
residual powers
A
- leftover powers
- powers that the federal government takes care of that wasnt listed in/didnt exist when the confederation was made
ex. cable tv, computers, modems, faxes
11
Q
Federal responsibilites
A
- national defense
- foreign policy
- postal services
- banking system
- marriage & divorce law
- criminal law
- federal prisions
12
Q
federal and provincial responsibilites
A
- immigration
- agriculture
- health care
- natural resources
- environmental issues
13
Q
provincial responsibilites
A
- education
- charities
- health services & hospitals
- licences
- highways
- provincial court system
- provincial police & prisions
14
Q
branches of government (canada)
A
executive power, legislative power, judicial power
15
Q
executive power
A
- power to make decisions and administer them (through civil service)
ex. municipal: inspect businesses,
ex. provincial: # exams a student needs to write
ex. federal: decide to purchase helicopter for defense
16
Q
legislative power
A
- power to make laws
- all levels have power to make and amend laws
17
Q
judicial power
A
- power to interpret and adminster the law
- this branch is seperate from goverment
- power rests w/ courts and judges
18
Q
Legislative branch
A
House of commons, GG, senate
19
Q
House of Commons
A
- only part w/ elected members
- elections must occur every 5 yrs
- canada is divided into ridings which elect 1 candidate to represent them
- MP’s (member’s of parliment)
- number of seats is determined by population
- legislative branch
20
Q
speaker of the house
A
an elected MP
- has a range of duties
- oversees the impartial operation of the Parliament (including PM)
21
Q
the offical opposition
A
- scrutinize the actions of the government
- helps ensures all Canadian views are heard
22
Q
offical leader of the opposition
A
the leader of the second largest party
23
Q
caucus
A
- private meetings by the political parties
- explain propositions, concerns, actions, policies
- MP’s allowed to express their opinion
- however in the House of Commons they are expected to vote with their party
24
Q
free vote
A
allows members of the legislature to vote accodring to what they believe instead of following their party
- rarely happens
- usally moral issues
25
senate
- appoints its own speaker/ runs own affairs
- GG appoints senate on PM reccomandation
- must be 30+ yrs, live where they represent, own property
- can introduce bills, debate, pass them/send to commons
- # senates depend on population of region
- legislative branch
26
patronage
- reward
| - senate position is often a form of patronage for their loyalty/support of PM
27
executive branch
GG, PM, cabinet, public service
28
GG
- monarch's representative
- gives formal assent (agreement) to a bill before it becomes a law
- performs ceremonial functions
- acts as an adviser to government
29
PM
- leader of the political party w/ most elected representatives
- has jobs to do as head of government, national leader and party leader
30
political party
an organization of individuals who support a set of common goals and beliefs
31
PM jobs - head of government
- asks GG to name new judges & senators
- decides on best time for election
- has the final say in creating the policies of government in party
32
PM jobs - national leader
- address Canadians on issues of concern
- explains his party's goals
- represents canada on trips/ meetings
33
PM jobs - party leader
- acts as spokesperosn
- rewards loyal supporters
- government ops - businesses
- leads other party members in parliment
34
cabinet
- made up of elected PM's chosen by PM
| - usually each member is responsible for a department
35
party whip
- ensures that members are present in Parliment/support party bills and vote
36
public service
AKA civil service/ bureaucracy
- group of permanent emplyees who perfrom the ongoing businesses of gov.
- jobs have a lrg. range ex. statistics, details for new laws, collect taxes, deliver mail
37
private member's bill
a bill that was introduced by a member of the house of commons that is not a member of the cabinet
38
14 steps from bill to law
```
Cabinet Minister has idea for bill
1. Idea explained to cabinet
2. Cabinet approves idea
3. Lawyers draft bill
4. Cabinet committee examines bill
5. Cabinet and caucus approve bill
6. Bill introduced to House of Commons or Senate for first reading
7. Second reading
8. House debates and votes on principle of bill
9. Parliamentary committee examines bill
10. House amends bill
11. Third reading, debate and vote
12. Bill passes house
13. Senate (or HC) examines, debates and amends bill
14. Bill passes senate
GG gives formal assent; bill is now law
```
39
Where do citizens have say in lawmaking process?
after the second reading
| - multi-party standing committee is assigned to study the bill - who often let public have say
40
Federal vs Provincial
```
GG : Lieutenant-Governor
PM : Premier
Cabinet: Cabinet
House of Commons :Legislative/National Assembly
Senate : NA
Public Service : Public Service
```
41
name of leader of city council
mayor / reeve / chairperson / overseer/ warden
42
Mayor's jobs/duties
- head of city council
- acts as spokesperson for whole community
- in charge of day to day ops of departments
43
city council duty
approves budgets of departments
44
city departments duty
enforce by-laws passed by council
45
voters
- elect councillors, one from each ward
- elect mayor
- pay fees to departments (recieve service back)
46
Aboriginal self-government
- use bands councils /elders
- leader is a chief
- deal w/ premier and federal ministers (more than a mayor)
- chief negotiates w/ government issues (licences highway access, education)
- negotiate increaded powers/control governing their own affairs
47
1867
BNA act
| Constitution created
48
1982
Constitution amended
49
List for areas for which provincial governments are responsible
Education
Health and social welfare
Environment
Transportation
Socials 11
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