Studied by 2 people
How do we decide on when to have an election?
Prime Minister advises the Governor General to dissolve the House of Commons and calls an election
If the government is defeated in a vote of non-confidence
The 4 year term is up!
Political thinking concepts
Political significance, Political perspective, Ethical considerations, Evidence, Stability and change, objectives and results
Political thinking concept: Evidence
What should we believe
Political thinking concept: Ethical considerations
what is the right thing to do
Political thinking concept: political perspective
why do people have different political perspectives
Political thinking concept: Political significance
What is the most important
Political thinking concept: Stability and change
When should we change things or try to keep them the same
Political thinking concept: objectives and results
Which actions will bring about the best results
Democracy
way of governing which depends on the will of the people
Monarchy
Country run by a Monarch (member of royal family, power pass down through bloodline)
Communism
country is run with no clear class system and complete government ownership (Left wing)
Political spectrum: Left
social conditions should be changed as quickly as possible
Society is not bound by tradition
Government should take care of needy persons directly. It has a moral obligation
Everyone should have equality of condition
The rights of individuals have the highest priority
Key industries, banks, transportation, facilities and natural resources should be owned by the government
Political spectrum: Center
Change of social conditions should take place, but at a cautious rate
Tradition is important, but change must be accepted if it is the will of the majority
There are many different approaches to caring for the needy
Everyone should have equality of opportunity and condition
Law and order is important, but the rights of individuals come first
Some form of government management of the economy is necessary. It won’t look after itself
Political spectrum: Right
The present system should be maintained. Change only when absolutely necessary and do it slowly and carefully, not suddenly
Traditions must be respected. They provide society with stability and security
Government should not interfere in the lives of individuals. It provides a helping hand, not a handout. Private charity and self-reliance are better.
Everyone should have equality of opportunity
Law and order have the highest priority
Business and industry should be kept in the hands of private individuals.
Liberalism
Favours individual freedom but acknowledges the need for some form of government intervention in the economy
Conservatism
Advocates for the preservation of society and tradition and opposes radical changes
Socialism
Favours a political and economic system in which the ways of production distribution and exchange are owned by the community
Libertarianism
Advocates for minimal government intervention in the lives of citizens
Legislative branch
Power to make laws
Executive branch
Power to carry out laws
Judicial branch
power t find a person innocent or guilty; power to interpret the law
Legislative branch includes
Parliament, house of commons, senate
Executive branch includes
Sovereign, governor general, Prime minister, Pm office, Cabinet, Privy council office, Ministries and civil service
Judicial branch includes
Supreme court, Federal court, Tax court, Provincial courts
Federal Responsibilities
National Defence
Foreign Policy
International Trade
Aboriginal Affairs
Postal Services
Banking System
Criminal Law
Monetary System
Citizenship
Marriage & Divorce
Employment
Immigration
Provincial responsibilities
Education
Housing
Health Services (hospitals)
Natural resources & environmental issues
Charities
Licenses
Highways, Roads
Provincial Court System
Provincial Police and Prisons
Municipal Responsibilities
Public transit
Garbage collection and disposal services
Water and sewage
Snow removal
Fire protection services
Zoning land (industrial, residential)
Local police services
Collection of property taxes and fees for many licences.
Libraries
Shared responsibilities: Federal, provincial, municipal
Public Health
Labour
Welfare
Agriculture
Justice
Taxation
The king
Currently King Charles III. Role is mostly ceremonial, Technically, he needs to approve all of our laws
Governor General
Mary Simon.
The Queen's representative in Canada. Appointed by the Queen on the recommendation of the Prime Minister
role is mostly ceremonial, signs laws on behalf of queen
Prime Minister
Justin Trudeau (Liberal)
The leader of the party with the most “seats” (representatives) in the House of Commons
Chooses members of Cabinet
Controls and speaks for the governing body
Names senators and senior judges for appointment
Cabinet
Chosen by Prime Minister, but officially appointed by Governor General
Most powerful MPs in parliament
Responsible for different government issues, referred to as “portfolios” (Defence, Finance, etc.)
Helps Prime Minister direct policy
House of Commons
Also called the “Lower House”
Where Members of Parliament (MPs) sit
Elected by voters from a specific area (riding/electoral district)
Paul Chiang (Liberal) was elected as the MP for the geographic area that PETHS is in (Markham - Unionville)
Leader of the Official Opposition
Pierre Poilievre (Conservative Party of Canada)
The leader of the party with the second highest number of seats
Responsible for presenting clear alternatives to government policies
Important role when there is a minority government
The Senate
“Upper House”
Appointed by the Governor General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister
Responsible for reviewing and making changes to new laws
The Provincial Government
CROWN Lieutenant Governor
LEGISLATURE: Legislative Assembly
EXECUTIVE: Premier, Cabinet, Government Ministries and Civil Servants
JUDICIARY: Supreme Court, Provincial Courts
Provincial Government: Lieutenant Governor
Elizabeth Dowdeswell
The role is mostly ceremonial
Provincial Government: Premier
Currently Doug Ford (Progressive Conservative)
Provincial Government: Cabinet
Most powerful MPPs in Provincial Parliament
Responsible for different portfolios (Health, Education, etc.)
Help Premier direct policy
Provincial Government: Legislative Assembly
Honorable Billy Pang (Conservative) is the current MPP (Markham-Unionville)
Provincial Government: Leader of the Official Opposition
Peter Tabuns (NDP)
Federal election
election must take place within 4 years
set of 3rd monday in october of the forth year
Provincial (ontario) Election:
election must take place within 4 years
1st thursday in october of 4th year
Municipal (ontario) election
election must take place within 4 years
Why do we have elections so often?
Makes the goverment accountable to the people
Provides opportunities for the people to voice their needs and choose their goverment
Ridings
Provinces & Territories are divided into electoral districts
Advance polls
allows people to vote who might not vote otherwise (i.e. will be out of town, in hospital etc.)
majority government
The party that wins the largest number of seats in a general election forms the government.(more than half the total seats in the House of Commons)
can easily pass its bills into law, has support from more than half of the Members of Parliament
minority government
governing political party only has a “minority” of MPs in the legislature
governs much differently, because party doesn't have Majority votes
must negotiate with opposition parties to gain their support for government legislation. (legislation-by-legislation basis)
coalition government
no party has a majority of the seats in Parliament
two or more parties join together to form a government
involved parties make a long-term agreement to work and vote together
First past the post; Electoral system
the candidate with the highest number (but not necessarily a majority) of votes is elected
no limit to ht number of candidates who can run
How a bill becomes a law
-The idea is first introduced to the House of Commons. -First Reading of the bill to the House of Commons
Second Reading
Legislature has a debate about the bill
A vote is made
Suggestions are made to improve the bill
Bill is amended (changes are made)
Third Reading
Final vote on the bill
Senate examines the bill and makes any necessary changes
The bill is sent to the governor general for approval
Bill becomes a law
Role of media
Major players
Present candidate in the best light
Millions spent (travel, advertising)
Ads also cast negative images or impressions of their opponents
Who is eligible to vote?
18
Canadian Citizen
On Voter’s List – most people are on it when they turn 18 and file their income tax return.
What is a vote of non-confidence?
When a proposed bill receives less than a majority of votes in the House of Commons, defeating the government and forcing it to resign.
Note
Flashcard