Chapter 1 Social

government

Democracy

A form of government in which the people have the power and can choose government officials.

Governance

The process of interactions through the laws, norms, power or language of an organized society over a social system done by government.

Royal Assent

When the King formally agrees to make the bill into an Act of Parliament.

Civil servant

Someone who works for the government.

Government

The administration/authority in a Country, the governing body.

Sovereignty

Sovereignty is the defining authority social construct, in Canada executive authority is formally vested in the Crown (general general).

Constitution

The constitution is a document that describes the rights for every Canadian citizen and guarantees that they will be protected. It is a set of laws containing the basic rules about how our country operates.

Why Canada Needs a Constitution

The Constitutional Monarchy provides stability.

Executive branch

Executive implements laws (develops polices, introduces bills to transform the polices into laws. Determines government agenda). Includes Prime Minister, Cabinet, and governor general.

Legislative branch

Legislative passes laws (propose, review, and pass bills, which become laws). Includes the Senate, House of Commons, and Monarch.

Judicial branch

Judicial interprets and applies laws. Includes the supreme court of Canada, the federal court system, and Provincial and territorial courts.

House of Commons

The lower house of the Parliament of Canada. Includes 338 members of parliament and a speaker.

Senate

The Upper House in Canada's bicameral parliamentary democracy. Includes 105 senators and a speaker.

MP

Member of Parliament. Their purpose is to refine policy.

Bias

A person who is not indifferent (leans towards other ideas or influenced)

Bicameral

A legislation that only has two chambers

Responsible government

A government that is responsible to the people

Constituent

A voter

Popular vote

The popular vote refers to the total number of votes cast in an election for a particular party or candidate.

Left wing politics

The range of political ideologies that support and seek to achieve social equality and egalitarianism.

Right wing politics

The range of political ideologies that view certain social orders and hierarchies as inevitable, natural, normal, or desirable, typically supporting this position on the basis of natural law, economics, authority, property or tradition.

Right Wing Parties

Conservative is right leaning and Bloc Quebecois is a little right leaning.

Left Wing Parties

Liberal, NDP, and Green are all left wing leaning.

Lobby group

A group that wants to get the government to take action on a specific idea.

Lobbyist

They are part of a lobby group that is trying to get the government to take action on a specific thing (they are paid to personally influence government).

The set up in the House of Commons Seating

A political party will face its opponent. The ruling party (liberal) sits on the left with 157 seats, they also sit with the 3 green party MPS and 7 NDP seats. On the opposition side (right) there is all conservatives seats, all 32 BQ, and the remaining 17 NDP seats.

Representation in the House of Commons

Each member represents a Riding

Representation in the Senate

Equal representation of 24 senators, by region.

Majority Government

One party has the majority of seats, its more than 50 percent.

Minority Government

One party has the majority of seats, its less than 50 percent.

Vote of Non-Confidence

A vote of non-confidence is a demonstration that the members do not have confidence in one or more of the members of government Note: happens when the ruling party brings forward a bill or issue to be voted on, and it does not get 50% or more of the votes.

Constitutional Monarchy

A constitutional monarchy, parliamentary monarchy, or democratic monarchy is a form of monarchy in which the monarch exercises their authority in accordance with a constitution and is not alone in decision making

Our Premier

Danielle Smith

Our Prime Minster

Justin Trudeau

Purpose of Political Party

To represent a set of values and ideas that people can vote for if they agree with the ideas

Party Solidarity

Consequences and Punishments for party members if they do not follow rules

Role of Media in Democrocy

They influence a lot of ideas about democracy and help convey what people want, keeps government accountable, and tell the population what they are doing.

Riding

Riding is a constituency or electoral district that is decided by the government.

First Past the Post

A system where the party/candidate with the most votes gets total sovereignty over government, so the other parties do not get a say.

Proportional Representation

A type of electoral system under which parties of an electorate are reflected proportionately in the legaslative.

How a Bill becomes a Law

Convince the cabinet your idea for a law is good (get approved). Then Propose to the house of commons as a bill, the house debates and votes. You may have to make changes. If they favor it the bill will then face the thoughts of the senate. They then debate and vote. Minor changes may be proposed, then Governor general signs bill, creating a law.

Auditor General

They audit operations of the federal and territorial governments; provide Parliament and the legislative assemblies with independent information, assurance, and advice regarding the stewardship of public funds

How Supreme Court Judges are Chosen

They are appointed by the Prime Minister and must have been either a judge of a superior court or a member of one for at least ten years

How our Prime Minister is Elected

They first have to join a party and then become leader of the party, and then win majority of seats to become Prime Minister

Head of State

The King