Chapter 8 Understanding the Parliamentary System in Canada

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts relating to the parliamentary system of Canada, including its structure, functions, and the responsibilities of its members.

Parliamentary System

A system of government where the executive branch derives its democratic legitimacy from, and is directly accountable to, the legislature (parliament); the executive and legislative branches are interconnected.

House of Commons

The lower house of Parliament in Canada, composed of elected representatives who propose, debate, and vote on legislation.

Senate

The upper house of Parliament in Canada, consisting of appointed members who provide additional representation and review legislation passed by the House of Commons.

Prime Minister

The head of government in Canada, responsible for leading the executive branch and making policy decisions, selected from the elected members in the House of Commons.

Conflict of Interest

A situation in which a member of parliament's personal interests could improperly influence their judgment or decisions made in their official capacity.

Bicameral Legislature

A legislative body that has two separate chambers or houses, such as the House of Commons and the Senate in Canada.

Executive

The branch of government responsible for implementing and enforcing laws, led by the Prime Minister and their Cabinet.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the authority of a government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, typically expressed through elected representatives.

Opposition

Political parties or members in parliament who are not in government and are tasked with scrutinizing and challenging the government's policy decisions.

Media's Role in Parliament

The media plays a crucial role in informing the public about parliamentary activities and government decisions, influencing public perception.

Constitution Act of 1867

The foundational legal document that established Canada as a federal state and outlines the framework of governance, including the structure of Parliament.

Members of Parliament (MPs)

Elected representatives in Canada who serve in the House of Commons, representing the interests and needs of their constituents.

Parliamentary Session

A period during which Parliament meets to discuss and debate legislation; it can span several months and includes various scheduled meetings.

Speaker of Parliament

An appointed official responsible for maintaining order, managing debates, and ensuring the rules of procedure are followed during parliamentary sittings.

Committee System

A system in Parliament where smaller groups of members focus on specific areas of policy, scrutinizing legislation and government actions.

Legislative Committees

Temporary committees established to discuss and review specific bills before they are presented for a vote in Parliament.

Parliamentary system

Parliament holds authority and is the repository of popular sovereignty

Responsible government

The executive (Prime Minister and Cabinet) must maintain the confidence of the House of Commons to remain in power

Representative government

Citizens elect MPs to represent constituencies in national policymaking

Repository of popular sovereignty

Parliament exercises power on behalf of the public

Parliament of Canada legally includes

House of Commons

For a bill to become law in Canada it must pass through

House of Commons

Bicameral legislature

A legislature composed of two houses

Lower house of Parliament

House of Commons

Upper house of Parliament

Senate

Why Canada has a bicameral legislature

Promote provincial rights

Three main functions of Parliament

Policymaking

Policymaking function

Debate and pass legislation

Representation function

MPs express constituency interests and regional concerns

System-maintenance function

Legitimizes decisions

Parliamentary debate leads to

Media coverage

A parliamentary session includes

Speech from the Throne

Speech from the Throne

Delivered by Governor General outlining government agenda

Budget

Delivered by Minister of Finance outlining revenue and spending plan

Estimates

Government spending proposals reviewed by committees

Adjournment

Break within a parliamentary session

Prorogation

Closing of a parliamentary session

Dissolution

Ending of Parliament leading to election

House of Commons primary role

Grants authority to govern and supervises Cabinet

Confidence vote

Determines whether government remains in power

Official Opposition

The party that forms the alternate government and critiques policy

Watchdog function

Holding government accountable through debate and questioning

Backbencher

MP who is not in Cabinet or opposition leadership

Parliamentary duties of MPs

Debate

Constituency duties of MPs

Assist constituents

Tension faced by MPs

Party loyalty vs constituency representation

Committee of the Whole

All MPs sit as a committee

Standing committee

Permanent committee reviewing legislation and departments

Joint standing committee

Includes both Commons and Senate members

Legislative committee

Temporary committee examining specific bills

Government required to adopt committee recommendations?

No

Private bill

Bill affecting specific individuals, corporations, or groups

Public bill

Bill affecting society as a whole

Government bill

Public bill introduced by Cabinet

Private member’s bill

Public bill introduced by an individual MP

Bill prefix C

Originates in House of Commons

Bill prefix S

Originates in Senate

First reading

Introduction of bill without debate

Second reading

Debate on principle of bill

Committee stage

Clause-by-clause examination and amendment

Third reading

Final debate and vote

Royal Assent

Governor General approval making bill an Act of Parliament

Proclamation

Formal declaration bringing statute into force

Money bill

Bill raising or spending public funds

Money bills must originate in

House of Commons

Senate can increase taxation or spending?

No

Reverse legislative process possible?

Yes

Party discipline

Cohesion requiring MPs to vote with party

Party whip

Enforces party discipline and cohesion

Party caucus

Weekly private meeting of party members

Closure

Procedure ending debate immediately

Time allocation

Procedure limiting debate time

Majority government advantage

Controls agenda

Minority government characteristic

Must negotiate

Conflict of interest

Private financial interest influencing public duty

Under Criminal Code MPs and ministers cannot

Accept bribes

MPs cannot vote on

Questions where they have direct financial interest

Senators cannot sit on committees involving

Matters where they have financial interest not generally held by public

Senate composition

105 members appointed by Governor General on advice of Prime Minister

Senate represents

Seven regions

Senators must

Be 30+

4,000 property

Reside in represented province

Senate can temporarily expand when

Breaking deadlock (e.g., GST 1990 under Mulroney)

Equal constitutional power but relatively inconsequential describes

The Senate

Sober second thought

Senate review and refinement of legislation

Senate can delay constitutional amendments for

180 days

Senate reform proposals included

Term limits

Supreme Court 2014 ruled that Senate term limits require

Provincial consent

Supreme Court 2014 ruled that Senate abolition requires

Unanimous provincial consent

Scenario: A government limits debate time to push bill quickly. What is this called?

Time allocation

Scenario: Government ends debate entirely to force vote.

Closure

Scenario: MP votes against party line repeatedly and loses committee position.

Party discipline enforcement

Scenario: Senator reviews bill and proposes minor wording change.

Sober second thought

Which chamber has electoral legitimacy?

House of Commons

Why does the Senate lack electoral legitimacy?

Senators are appointed, not elected

Which ideology supports stronger regional equality in Senate?

Triple-E Senate reform advocates

Fill in the blank: Canada is a ______ democracy where the executive must maintain the confidence of the House.

Parliamentary

Fill in the blank: Citizens choose MPs in a ______ democracy.

Representative

Fill in the blank: Parliament includes the House of Commons, the Senate, and the ______.

Crown

Fill in the blank: A bill becomes law after receiving ______ assent.

Royal