Government and Authority\

Monarch (Head of State)

The ceremonial head of state, currently King Charles III in Canada.

Governor General

Represents the monarch in Canada and performs various ceremonial duties.

Prime Minister (Head of Gov't)

The head of the government in Canada, currently Mark Carney.

House of Commons

The lower house of Parliament consisting of 342 Members of Parliament (MPs) elected by Canadians.

Senate

The upper house of Parliament with 105 senators appointed on the Prime Minister's recommendation.

Royal Assent

Approval given to a bill by the Governor General, allowing it to become law.

Inherent Right

A right that is considered to be self-evident or pre-existing, such as hunting rights for Métis people.

Indian Act

A federal Act that regulates the lives of First Nation peoples, passed in 1876.

Consensus

An agreement reached when all group members support it.

Majority Rule

A decision-making model where more than half must agree.

Legislation

Bills passed by Parliament that become laws.

Status Indian

A First Nation person registered under the Indian Act.

Caucus

A group of members from the same political party.

Constituency / Riding

An area in Canada that an MP represents, also called an electoral district.

Compromise

A settlement of differences where each side gives up part of its demands.

Participatory Democracy

Direct participation by people in decisions rather than through elected representatives.

Decision-Making Models

Different approaches to making decisions, such as consensus, majority rule, and fist to five.

The Powley Decision (R. v. Powley, 2003)

A Supreme Court ruling affirming Métis rights to hunt as an inherent right.

Legislative Branch

The branch of government responsible for making laws, composed of the House of Commons and the Senate.