Civics Exam

What is democracy?

A system of government where citizens can participate in decision-making, usually through voting for representatives.

What are the main characteristics of a democracy? (5)

• Free and fair elections

• Citizen participation

• Rule of law

• Protection of rights and freedoms

• Government accountability

What does “rule of law” mean?

Everyone, including government leaders, must follow the law.

Why is voting important in democracy?

It allows citizens to choose leaders and influence government decisions.

Give examples of rights and freedoms in a democracy. (4 freedom, 2 rights)

• Freedom of expression

• Freedom of religion

• Right to vote

• Right to equality

• Freedom of assembly

• Freedom of association

What are the four political thinking concepts?

• Political significance

• Continuity and change

• Political perspective

• Political dimensions

What does political significance mean?

Understanding why an issue matters and who it affects.

Example of political significance?

Climate change is politically significant because it affects the environment, economy, and future generations.

Q: What does continuity and change mean?

A: Looking at what has stayed the same and what has changed over time.

Give an example of continuity and change.

A: Canada has always had elections, but voting rights have expanded over time.

Q: What is political perspective?

A: Understanding that people have different opinions based on their experiences, values, and interests.

Q: Why do people disagree about political issues?

A: They may have different beliefs, priorities, or experiences.

Q: What are political dimensions?

A: The different areas affected by political decisions.

Q: Examples of political dimensions? (4)

• Social

• Economic

• Environmental

• Cultural

Q: What is an active citizen?

A: Someone who participates in their community and democracy.

What are examples of what an active citizen does?

• Voting

• Volunteering

• Attending community meetings

Q: What is an informed citizen?

A: Someone who understands issues and gets information from reliable sources.

Q: What is a purposeful citizen?

A: Someone who acts with a goal of creating positive change.

Q: What is an engaged citizen?

A: Someone who participates in discussions and actions related to society.

Q: What is a global citizen?

A: Someone who understands global issues and takes responsibility for their impact on the world.

What are examples of what a global citizen does? (3)

• Supporting human rights

• Caring about climate change

• Helping communities internationally

Q: What is the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms?

A: A document that protects the rights and freedoms of Canadians and limits government power.

Q: When was the Charter created?

A: 1982.

Q: What are some rights protected by the Charter? (4 with explanations)

Fundamental freedoms:

• Freedom of religion

• Freedom of expression

• Freedom of peaceful assembly

• Freedom of association

Democratic rights:

• Right to vote

• Right to run for office

Equality rights:

• Equal treatment under the law

• Protection from discrimination

Legal rights:

• Right to a fair trial

• Protection from unreasonable searches

Q: What is a right?

A: A freedom or protection that people are entitled to.

Whats an example of a right?

• Freedom of speech

Q: What is a responsibility?

A: Something citizens are expected to do.

What are examples of responsibilities citizens have? (3)

• Follow laws

• Respect others' rights

• Participate in society

Q: What is a privilege?

A: Something that is given and can be removed.

What are some examples of privileges? (2)

• Driving a car

• Having access to certain services

Q: What is the Ontario Human Rights Code?

A: A law that protects people from discrimination in Ontario.

Q: What areas does it protect people in? (4)

• Employment

• Housing

• Services

• Education

Q: What does discrimination mean?

A: Treating someone unfairly because of characteristics protected by law.

Q: What are the three parts of government?

• Monarch (King/Queen)

• Governor General

• Prime Minister and Cabinet

Q: What are the three levels of government? What is each level responsible for (3)?

Federal

Responsible for:

• National defence

• Immigration

• Foreign affairs

Provincial/Territorial

Responsible for:

• Education

• Healthcare

• Transportation

Municipal

Responsible for:

• Local roads

• Garbage collection

• Parks

Q: What are the three branches of government? (explanation (2))

Legislative Branch

• Makes laws

• Parliament

Executive Branch

• Enforces laws

• Prime Minister and Cabinet

Judicial Branch

• Interprets laws

• Courts

Q: What is a democratic decision-making system?

A: A system where citizens have a role in making decisions, usually through voting.

Q: What are characteristics of democracy? (4)

• Citizens participate

• Majority decisions are common

• Rights are protected

• Leaders can be replaced through elections

Give an example of a democratic decision-making system?

Canada choosing representatives through elections.

Q: What is an autocratic decision-making system?

A: A system where one person or a small group has most of the power.

Characteristics of an autocratic decision-making system: (3)

• Limited citizen participation

• Decisions made by a leader

• Less political freedom

Give an example of a autocratic decision-making system?

A dictatorship where one leader controls government decisions.

Q: What is consensus decision-making?

A: A system where a group works together to reach an agreement that everyone can accept.

Characteristics of a consensus decision-making system:(3)

• Cooperation

• Discussion

• Compromise

Give an example of a consensus decision-making system?

A community group discussing and agreeing on a decision together.

Q: What is a political party?

A: A group of people who share similar beliefs and goals about how the government should operate.

Q: What are common Liberal values? (4)

• Social programs

• Individual freedoms

• Government support for equality

• Balanced economic policies

Q: What are common Conservative values? (4)

Q: What are common New Democratic Party (NDP) values? (4)

• Social equality

• Strong public services

• Workers' rights

• Reducing income inequality

Q: What does the Bloc Québécois represent?

• Quebec interests

• Greater independence or sovereignty for Quebec

Q: What voting system does Canada use?

A: First Past the Post (FPTP).

Q: How does First Past the Post work?

A: The candidate with the most votes in a riding wins, even if they do not receive more than 50% of the votes.

Whats an example of first past the post?

• Candidate A: 40%

• Candidate B: 35%

• Candidate C: 25%

Candidate A wins.

Q: What is a riding/electoral district?

A: A geographic area represented by one elected member.

Q: What is a Member of Parliament (MP)?

A: A person elected to represent a riding in the House of Commons.

Q: What does liberalism value? (4)

• Individual freedom

• Equality

• Human rights

• Democracy

Q: What does conservatism value? (4)

• Tradition

• Stability

• Individual responsibility

• Limited government involvement

Q: What does socialism value? (3)

• Economic equality

• Strong public services

• Government involvement to reduce inequality

Q: What does communism value? (3)

• A society where resources are shared equally

• Little or no private ownership of major industries

• Collective ownership

Q: What does the left generally support? (4)

• More government support programs

• Reducing inequality

• Social change

• Strong public services

Q: What does the centre generally support? (2)

• A balance between government support and individual responsibility

• Moderate change

Q: What does the right generally support? (4)

• Lower taxes

• Less government involvement

• Individual responsibility

• Tradition

Q: What is an Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)?

A: A non-governmental organization that works independently from government to address social, environmental, humanitarian, or community issues.

Q: What are characteristics of NGOs? (4)

• Not controlled by government

• Usually nonprofit

• Work toward a cause

• Depend on donations, volunteers, or funding

Q: What are examples of NGO activities? (4)

• Protecting the environment

• Helping people in need

• Supporting human rights

• Providing disaster relief

Q: How does First Past the Post (FPTP) work?

• Candidate with the most votes wins

• Each riding has one winner

Advantages of how FPTP works:

✅ Simple
✅ Creates clear winners
✅ Usually creates stable governments

Disadvantages of how FPTP works:

❌ Votes may not match seats
❌ Smaller parties may be underrepresented

Q: How does proportional representation work?

• The number of seats a party receives matches the percentage of votes they get.

Example of how proportional representation works?

• Party gets 30% of votes → approximately 30% of seats

Advantages of how a proportional representation works?

✅ More accurate representation
✅ Smaller parties get more voice

Disadvantages of how a proportional representation works?

❌ Can create coalition governments

Q: What is a global issue?

A: A problem that affects people around the world and requires international cooperation.

Q: Examples of global issues?

• Climate change

• Poverty

• Human rights violations

• Refugees

• Food insecurity

• Global health problems

• Pollution

Q: Why are global issues important?

Because problems in one country can affect other countries and require cooperation.