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Canadian Government
Specifically: Pearson Counterpoints (textbook) Unit 3 Key Terms
22
History
11th Grade
11/13/2013

Additional History Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Government
Definition
  • The governing body of a nation
  • Makes laws, carries out laws
Term
Constitution Act of 1982
Definition
  • Lists the things the government has control over, the limits of these powers, and individual people's rights, freedoms, and responsibilities.
  • Consists of the BNA act and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Term

 

Canada's current governement system

Definition
  1. Parlimentary democracy
  2. Federation
  3. Constitutional Monarchy
  • The head of state is the Crown (currently Queen Elizabeth II)
  • She is represented in Canada by the Governer General
Term
The Prime Minister
Definition
  • The premier in the provinces, the chief minister of the Crown, and the head of the Cabinet
  • Relies on advisors and staff in the PMO (Office of the Prime Minister)
  • Currently Stephan Harper

 

Term
Role of Prime Minister
Definition
  • Choose and discipline Cabinate members
  • Directs the activities of the legislature
  • Has the right to be consulted on all important Cabinet decisions
  • Controls appointments to the Senate and to the Judiciary
  • Can recommend that Parliment be adjourned or dissolved and an election called
Term
Civil Service
Definition
  • The Bureaucracy
  • Groups of permanent employees who preform ongoing business of government
  • AKA the Crown Corperation
  • Ideally non-political
  • BC ferries, BC Hydro, RCMP, Canada Post, etc.
Term
The Legislative Branch
Definition
  1. Governer General
  2. House of Commons
  3. Senate
Term
Cabinate Solidarity
Definition
  • When Cabinate ministers must display full support for the Prime Minister and the decisions of the government
Term
Free Vote
Definition
  • AKA conscience vote
  • When the Prime Minister allows Party MP's to act on their own opinion to support or reject a bill according to the wishes of their consituents
Term
Party Discipline
Definition
  • When parties make sure their members vote as the party wishes in the legislature
Term
The Party Whip
Definition

The person that makes sure members of their party

  • Are in the House of Commons for important votes
  • Votes as the party requires
Term
The Senate
Definition
  • AKA the Upper House
  • 105 members appointed/chosen by the Governer General on the advice of the Prime Minister
  • AKA we don't vote for them
  • They are the final barrier between voting for a bill and putting the bill into place
  • Seats are allotted regionally based on population
  • Ex. Ontario has more seats in the Senate than PEI
Term
Patronage
Definition
  • If a seat in the Senate becomes vacant (i.e. All members must retire at age 75) the Prime Minister often gives the seat to a loyal member or their party
  • A sort of reward for years of loyalty and support
Term
Majority Government
Definition
  • When the ruling party has more than half (+50%) of the total number of seats in the legislature
  • +155/308
Term
Minority Government
Definition
  • When the ruling party has more seats than any other party, but the other parties combined have more seats than the government
Term

Coalition Government

Definition
  • In which two or more political parties enter into a formal agreement to govern together
  • Can occur when no single political has a majority of MPs
  • 2 or more parties will form a coalition and together excecise a majority in the House
Term
Democracy
Definition
  • A system of governemnt in which people freely choose in elections who will govern them 
  • The principals and ideals of such a governement including free speech and the rule of law
Term
Civil Servant
Definition
  • Someone who works for a government department
Term
Pressure Groups
Definition
  • Organised groups of indivicuals with common interests and concens who attempt to pressure political decision makers
  • AKA interest groups
Term
Lobbyist
Definition
  • A person hired to represent the interests of a pressure groups by influencing policy decision mkers in a group's favour
Term
Bureaucrats
Definition
  • Government officials and administators
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