Grade 10 Canadian Civics

Autocratic

leadership style in which one person is in charge; limits discussion; effective when time is limited and people don't know each other

Social Right

promotes a certain standard of living and participation in society

Magna Carta

also known as the Great Charter; it was signed by King John of England

Charter of Rights and Freedoms

added to the Constitution in 1982

Consensus

a collective decision that everyone agrees to

Active Citizen

makes things happen and participates in society

Theocracy

type of government that is led by a religious leader

Laissez Faire

leadership style in which no direction is given; effective when there is a high degree of motivation and a sense of team exists

Pluralist Society

a society in which different groups with a range of beliefs can influence political life

Ideology

a set of beliefs and values

Civics

the study of how public decisions are made and the rights and responsibilities of citizens

Minority Rights

the principle that the rights of the minority should be safe-guarded

Purposeful Citizen

does things for the common good

Democratic

leadership style in which everyone is equally involved; promotes teamwork; effective when time is available and group has a sense of team

Majority Rule

the principle that the opinion of the greater number should prevail; 155 or more MPs in Parliament

Citizenship

the condition of being given rights and responsibilities as members of a state or nation

Civil Rights

provide equality before the law and freedom of religion

Monarchy

type of government led by a King or Queen

Code of King Hammurabi

the first written legal code

Dictatorship

power is in the hands of ONE individual

Rule of Law

the idea that no one (including the king) is above the law

Political Rights

allow you to participate in elections and vote

Informed Citizen

know your rights and responsibilities

Responsibility

a duty or obligation that as citizens of a country we all have

Rights and Freedoms

things we are morally and legally entitled to have or do

Government

comes from the Latin word, "to steer"; deals with problems that can't be handled by individuals

BNA Act

a document signed in 1867 that created the country of Canada

Babylonians

developed the first written laws; there were consequences for not obeying the law; laws were carved into stone pillars

Iroquois Confederacy

established levels of government

Romans

developed the right to have a lawyer; each member must be elected; right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty

Fascism

one-party dictatorship

Communism

everyone is equal

Plutocracy, Aristocracy

types of Oligarchy form of government

Oligarchy

power is in the hands of a few individuals

Authoritarian

requiring strict obedience to an authority, such as a dictator

Bill

a proposed law presented to a legislative body for consideration

Bylaws

laws that deal with local issues and are passed by municipal governments

Cabinet

the heads of the executive branch departments of the federal government

Canada Act

(1867) established the Dominion of Canada; Britain grants Canada independence; the dominion of Canada brought the eastern provinces together

Civil Service

those civilian employees who perform the administrative work of government

Civil Society

Society created when citizens are allowed to organize and express their views publicly as they engage in an open debate about public policy.

Consensus

general agreement; opinion reached by a group

Direct Democracy

A form of government in which citizens rule directly and not through representatives

Executive Branch

The branch of government that carries out, enforces, or executes the rules/laws.

First Past the Post

Electoral system based on single-member districts in which the candidate who receives the most votes wins.

Fundamental Freedom

rights defined by the Court to be essential to order, liberty, and justice and therefore entitled to the highest standard of review, strict scrutiny

Judicial Branch

The branch of government that interprets laws, deals with criminals, handles justice

Left Wing

the liberal, socialist, or radical section of a political party or system

Legislative Branch

the branch of government that makes the laws

Lobbyist

someone who tries to persuade legislators to vote for bills that the lobbyists favor

Mobility Rights

The right to move to and/or live in any part of Canada for Canadian citizens

Political Spectrum

Range of Political views

Constituency

voters represented by an elected official; district so represented; group of supporters (or constituents)

Right Wing

Fascists, reactionaries and conservatives on the political spectrum

Supreme Court of Canada

The Supreme Court of Canada is the highest court in Canada. It has the final word on all legal questions in the country, including questions about the rules for making and applying laws.

Pierre Trudeau

Created the CCRF and repatriated the Constitution

Tom Mulcair

Leader of the Official Opposition in 2012; NDP Party

Dalton McGuinty

The current Premier of Ontario

3

The number of readings required for a bill to pass in the House of Commons; The number of years before a municipal election must be held.

Popular Vote

Refers to the total number of ballots cast in an election

5

The number of years before a Federal election must be called in Canada

Franchise

A special privilege to do certain things that is conferred by government on an individual or a corporation and which does not belong to citizens generally of common right.

Riding

Area that has its own member of Parliament

Majority Government

Wins more than half the seats/ridings in an election (155 seats minimum); can pass any bills/laws they wish

Minority Government

Wins the most ridings in an election, but has less than half the total seats. Minority governments can only pass bills with the co-operation of opposition parties.

Representation by Population

a form of proportional representation in government; areas with higher populations have more elected officials in government