Key Concepts in Canadian Democracy and Politics

A collection of essential vocabulary terms related to Canadian Democracy and politics, covering branches of government, electoral systems, and issues affecting voter turnout.

Executive Branch

The branch of government responsible for implementing laws, represented by the King (or Governor General) and led by the Prime Minister.

Judicial Branch

The branch that includes the Supreme Court of Canada, which is the highest court and makes constitutional decisions.

Lobbying

The act of interest groups influencing government policy to reflect specific issues or interests.

Interest Groups

Organizations that represent specific social, environmental, or political interests to influence government policies.

Voter Apathy

A lack of interest and engagement in the electoral process, leading to lower voter turnout.

Proportional Representation

An electoral system where parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes they receive, allowing for minority party representation.

First Past The Post System

An electoral system where the candidate with the most votes wins, which may exclude smaller or extremist parties from representation.

Minority Government

A government in which the ruling party does not have a majority of seats, often requiring cooperation with smaller parties.

Populism

A political approach that seeks to represent the interests of ordinary people in opposition to the elite.