The Electoral System Of Canada

Front 1

1. From what country does Canada’s political system draw its base?

2. What is the name of the the political system used in Canada?

Back 1

1. The United Kingdom.

2. It is a constitutional monarchy.

Front 2

How is Canada’s constitutional monarchy composed?

Back 2

The Queen of Canada, who is officially represented by the Governor General (or by a lieutenant-governor at the provincial level), the Senate, and the House of Commons. Overseen by the courts of Canada.

Front 3

How many seats are in the Canadian Senate?

How are senators appointed?

Back 3

105. They are appointed by the Governor General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.

Front 4

How many seats are in the House of Commons?

Back 4

308. Members are elected by the citizens of Canada.

Front 5

Where does the Government originate?

Back 5

In the elected House of Commons.

Front 6

According to the principle of constitutional monarchy, the Queen…

Back 6

Rules but does not govern.

Front 7

True or False: The Canadian Constitution is a mixture of unwritten conventions, written Acts, and judicial decisions that together form the political system.

Back 7

True: The Canadian constitution is "organic" and must be read in a broad and progressive manner so as to adapt it to the changing times.

Front 8

What does the Canadian Constitution define?

Back 8

The jurisdiction and powers of the federal, provincial and territorial governments.

Front 9

True or False: The federal government is responsible for the administration of all elections.

Back 9

False: Federal, provincial and territorial governments are each responsible for the administration of its own elections.

Front 10

What is the maximum time between federal general elections?

Back 10

5 years.

Front 11

What is the exception to the maximum time between federal general elections?

Back 11

Time of real or apprehended war, invasion or insurrection.

Front 12

How was the maximum time between federal general elections set?

Back 12

In the Constitution Acts of 1867 and 1982.

Front 13

True or False: The Canada Elections Act specifies that a general election must be held on the third Monday of October in the fourth calendar year following the previous general election.

Back 13

True: Assuming an election is not called early.

Front 14

Can an election be called early?

Back 14

Yes. If the Governor General accepts the Prime Minister’s advice to dissolve Parliament.

Front 15

After an election, who will normally form the Government?

Back 15

The party with the largest number of elected representatives.

Front 16

How is the Prime Minister chosen?

Back 16

The leader of the party with the largest number of elected representatives.

Front 17

What must the elected party be able to do at all times to remain in power?

Back 17

Maintain the confidence of the House of Commons.

Front 18

How is the official Opposition decided?

Back 18

The party with the second-largest number of elected representatives.

Front 19

How many seats does the winning party need to have a majority?

Back 19

50% plus one.

Front 20

What do Cabinet ministers do?

Back 20

Head various government departments and advise the Prime Minister.

Front 21

How are Cabinet ministers chosen?

Back 21

By the Prime Minister. They are usually members of the House of Commons of his/her party, but can also be senators or others.

Front 22

How is representation in the House of Commons based?

Back 22

On geographical divisions called electoral districts, also known as ridings. Ridings are largely chosen based on population numbers.

Front 23

How many electoral districts are there at the federal level?

Back 23

308.

Front 24

What are the rules, that establish electoral districts, set out in the Constitution Act, 1867 called?

Back 24

The “representation formula.”

Front 25

True or False: Electoral district boundaries cannot be changed.

Back 25

False: Since 1964, independent commissions have been entrusted with adjusting electoral district boundaries based on population changes identified in every 10-year census.

Front 26

What is Canada’s electoral system referred to as?

Back 26

A “single member constituency” system, commonly called a “first-past-the-post” system.

Front 27

In the Canadian system, how is it decided which person is elected to the House of Commons to represent an electoral district as its member of Parliament?

Back 27

The candidate with the highest number of votes.

Front 28

True or False: A candidate can run in more than one riding to increase their chance of being elected.

Back 28

False. A candidate may only run in one riding, either independently or under the banner of a registered political party.

Front 29

What does the Canada Elections Act define as a political party?

Back 29

An organization that endorses one or more of its members as candidates, and supporting their election to the House of Commons.

Front 30

Define: federalism

Back 30

The system based upon democratic rules and institutions in which the power to govern is shared between national and provincial/state governments. (In Canada, 1 central government and 13 regional governments)

Front 31

Define: federal government, and its major responsibilities.

Back 31

The highest level of government in Canada. Responsible for: finance, immigration, foreign/international affairs, national defence, Aboriginal affairrs

Front 32

Define: provincial government, and its major responsibilities.

Back 32

The level of government responsible for a province or territory. Responsible for: education, health care, transportation, energy, municipal affairs.

Front 33

Define: municipal government, and what form of taxes they can collect.

Back 33

The lowest level of government in Canada, responsible for a city or town and its surrounding area. Can only collect property taxes.

Front 34

Define: coalition government

Back 34

A government formed by several parties (none of which have enough seats to form a majority government on their own).

Front 35

Define: proportional representation

Back 35

An election system where citizens vote for a party, not an individual candidate, and the total popular vote decides how many seats each party gets.

Front 36

Define: judicial branch, and its responsibilities

Back 36

The courts and judges in Canada; interprets and applies the law, including deciding punishments for those who violate the law.

Front 37

Define: Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Back 37

Often called the "Charter", was an ammendment made to the constutuion in 1982, and protects many political and civil rights.

Front 38

Define: MLA

Back 38

Member of the Legislative Assembly; the name given to provincial representatives in Alberta.

Front 39

What is the Supreme Court, and who appoints members to the supreme court?

Back 39

The highest court in Canada, responsible for making sure Canadian laws do not violate the constitution.

Judges are appointed by the Governor General based on advice from the Prime Minister.

Front 40

What does the Speaker of the House do?

Back 40

He/she controls the debates in the House of Commons by making sure all MPs follow correct rules and procedures.

Front 41

What is a referendum?

Back 41

A direct vote by citizens on a single issue. (Usually an important decision, like a change to the constitution).

Front 42

What is the reprasentative system of government?

Back 42

A type of democracy where members are elected to represent the wishes of a group of people. (As opposed to direct democracy, where everyone votes on every issue.)

Front 43

Define: caucus

Back 43

A meeting of the elected members of a particular party, usually to decide/discuss government policy.

Front 44

A group that tries to sway government opinion

Back 44

Lobby (or lobbyists)

Front 45

Who makes up the executive branch of the federal government?

Back 45

The Governor General, the Prime Minister, and the Cabinet.

Front 46

Who makes up the legislative branch of the federal government?

Back 46

Members of Parliament (in the House of Commons), Senators (in the Senate), and the Governor General

Front 47

The Canadian Constitution in 1867 specifically mentioned which three groups of Canadian?

Back 47

English, French, and "Indians" (now called First Nations)

Front 48

Which groups in Canada act as "watchdogs" on the legislative and executive branches of the government?

Back 48

Courts (judicial branch), media, lobbyists and other special-interest groups, and the official opposition (and other elected representatives not members of the party that formed government)