Canadian Government and Civics Review

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering Canadian civics, parliamentary structure, constitutional history, electoral processes, and key political figures across all 18 lecture sources.

What are the three levels of government in Canada?

Federal, Provincial or Territorial, and Municipal or local (city).

What are key responsibilities of the Provincial Government?

Education, Highways, Marriage, Health Care, Driver's Licences, and Alcohol.

What are key responsibilities of the Municipal Government?

Garbage, Firefighting, Police, Water, Sewage, and Snow Clearing.

What are key responsibilities of the Federal Government?

Military, Banking, Immigration, and Foreign Relations.

What is the Canadian symbol mentioned in the notes representing national policing?

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

What is a voter information card?

A card sent to registered electors that explains when and where they can cast their ballots on Election Day or at the advance polls.

How do voters mark their choice on a federal election ballot?

With an X.

Who represents the King in the provinces, and who holds this role in Manitoba?

The Lieutenant Governor represents the King in the provinces; Anita Neville holds this position in Manitoba.

Which document guarantees the freedoms of Canadians?

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Who is the Premier of Manitoba, and which political party does he lead?

Wab Kinew, leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP).

Why is the statement "Everyone who lives in a democratic country can vote" false?

Not all residents can vote; voting rights in Canada require being an adult citizen on the voters list.

Why was the Constitution Act (1982) significant in Canadian history?

It was the law that created Canada, brought the Canadian Constitution home to Canada, and allowed Canadians to change it without British approval.

What is the Royal Prerogative, and what are its reserve powers?

A number of powers or privileges performed in the past by the monarch but now performed by ministers on the monarch's behalf, including reserve powers that enable the Crown to act in unprecedented emergencies (e.g., declaring war, making treaties, giving orders to armed forces, dissolving parliament, appointing ministers, dispensing honors).

What three constitutional rights does the Crown retain?

The right to be consulted, the right to encourage, and the right to warn.

What is proposed legislation called before it is passed into law?

A bill.

Are local municipal politicians, such as the Mayor of Winnipeg, usually members of a political party?

No, local politicians are not usually members of a political party.

Within what time frame must federal elections be held in Canada?

Within $5$ years of the last election.

Who is eligible to apply for a Canadian Passport?

A Canadian Citizen.

What are the three branches of the Canadian government?

Executive, Legislative, and Judicial.

What is the role and composition of the federal Cabinet?

Cabinet Ministers are chosen by the Prime Minister and appointed by the Governor General to lead various ministries and agencies (e.g., Defense, Transportation, Health), advise the Prime Minister, and collectively reflect the Canadian population.

How is Canada's system of government defined?

A Constitutional Monarchy with a federal parliamentary government.

Who is Canada's formal Head of State?

His Majesty King Charles III.

Who is identified in the notes as the Governor General representing the King in Canada?

Louise Arbour.

How is the Governor General appointed and what are their key duties?

Appointed by the King on the advice of the Canadian Prime Minister. Key duties include representing the monarch, granting Royal Assent to bills, offering advice to the Prime Minister, and presenting awards to Canadians.

Who was Canada's first female Prime Minister?

Kim Campbell.

Until what age may a Canadian Senator serve?

Until $75$ years of age.

Who is listed in the notes as the Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Party of Canada?

Mark Carney.

What defines the Official Opposition in Parliament?

The political party with the second most Members of Parliament (MPs) in the House of Commons.

What are the basic qualifications required to run for political office or become an MP in Canada?

A Canadian citizen who is $18$ years of age or older.

What is the primary role of the Legislative Branch in Canada?

The Legislative Branch makes the laws.

Who is the Mayor of Winnipeg?

Scott Gillingham.

Who is the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Elmwood in Manitoba?

Jim Maloway of the NDP.

What are the formal steps required for a bill to become a law in Canada?

Approval by a majority vote in the House of Commons, approval by the Senate, and finally Royal Assent from the Governor General.

How often and why are federal electoral district boundaries reviewed in Canada?

Every $10$ years, boundaries are reviewed by an independent commission in each province (with technical support from Elections Canada) to reflect demographic changes revealed by the national census, with final decisions approved by Parliament.

Who is the Leader of the Official Opposition, and what party does he lead?

Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative Party of Canada.

What compensation and official residence are provided to the Leader of the Official Opposition?

A salary of $\$255{,}300$ and the official residence of Stornoway.

What is the definition of a political "candidate"?

A person trying to get elected to political office to represent people in their riding.

What is the minimum legal campaign length for a federal election, and which campaign was the longest?

The minimum campaign length is $36$ days; the $2015$ federal election was the longest at $11$ weeks.

What are the smallest and largest federal electoral districts in Canada by area?

The smallest is Papineau ($9\,\text{km}^2$), and the largest is Nunavut ($2{,}093{,}190\,\text{km}^2$).

Approximately how many citizens does each Member of Parliament represent?

Approximately $63{,}000$ to $120{,}000$ people.

Who is the City Councillor for the Elmwood-East Kildonan riding?

Emma Durand-Wood.

Who wrote Canada's national anthem, "O Canada," and when was its English wording made gender-neutral?

Written by Calixa Lavallée; made gender-neutral in $2018$.

What is an "incumbent"?

A candidate who is already serving in the office for which they are seeking re-election.

What is a referendum (or plebiscite) and what historical Canadian issues have triggered one?

A direct vote of all electors on an important constitutional or public issue requiring a "yes" or "no" answer; past referendums addressed military conscription, liquor prohibition, and constitutional reform.

What is the mandate of Elections Canada?

A non-partisan agency responsible for conducting federal elections to ensure that the electoral process is fair.

What are the defining characteristics of Communist ideology according to the notes?

Advocates economic equality and government ownership of goods and services; commonly features one-party rule, an anti-religion stance, and the use of force.

What are the core principles of Right-Wing politics according to the notes?

Favours social tradition, limited government, free-market economics, Christian values, low taxes, law-and-order, a strong military, and traditionalist views on sex, gender, family, and human life, while opposing high-spending and high-taxing government.

What is the highest court in Canada and which branch does it belong to?

The Supreme Court of Canada, which belongs to the Judicial Branch.

Under what circumstance can Supreme Court decisions be overridden by Parliament or provincial assemblies?

Pursuant to Section $33$ of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, known as the "notwithstanding clause."

What does it mean when a candidate is "acclaimed"?

The candidate wins office in an election unchallenged by any opposing candidate.

Who is the Member of Parliament for Elmwood-Transcona and which party does he represent?

Colin Reynolds, representing the Conservative Party.

What constitutional consequence occurs if the federal government fails to pass a bill into law?

The Government of Canada must resign and call a new federal election.

What are the job details and official perks of Prime Minister Mark Carney as noted in the lecture?

Riding of Nepean, Ontario; Prime Minister since April $2025$; salary of $\$165{,}000$ and residence at $24$ Sussex Drive in Ottawa.

Who is identified in the notes as the leader of the federal New Democratic Party (NDP) and what is his policy focus?

Avi Lewis; his platform focuses on fighting inequality, establishing a "care economy," wealth taxes on the top $1\%$, and public investments in healthcare, housing, and childcare.

What constitutional shift occurred when the British Parliament ceased passing legislation on behalf of Canada?

Only the Canadian Prime Minister could advise the King on Canadian affairs, establishing the monarch separately as the King of Canada.

What titles are given to the leaders of provincial and territorial governments?

Provincial leaders hold the title of Premier, while leaders of territories are called Territorial Leaders.

What are examples of municipalities located in Manitoba?

St. Boniface, Springfield, North Kildonan, Elmwood, and East St. Paul.

What disqualifying grounds prevent a newcomer from gaining Canadian citizenship?

A criminal record, security reasons, human rights abuses, misrepresentation (lying on application), health issues, financial reasons, or ties to organized crime.

What is the definition of a constitution?

A set of rules about how a nation's government works.

Who served as Canada's first Prime Minister?

Sir John A. Macdonald.

What constitutes a minority government in Canada?

When the governing Prime Minister's party holds fewer than half of the total seats in the House of Commons.

What are the core characteristics of Left-Wing politics according to the notes?

Favours a social democratic society with a "mixed economy" tightly regulated by government; backed by Canadian unions, academics, environmentalists, and social justice activists.

Can a Member of Parliament switch parties, and are they required to belong to a political party?

An MP can change political parties if they wish, and an MP does not have to belong to a political party (they can run as an independent).

How many seats are in the House of Commons according to the notes?

Sources cite $338$ seats and $343$ seats.

What is the constitutional principle of Cabinet Collective Responsibility?

All Cabinet Ministers share collective responsibility for the administration and policies of the government and must publicly support Cabinet decisions or resign.

What is the origin and meaning of the name "Canada"?

Originates from the Iroquois word meaning "Village."

How do municipal governments raise the majority of their revenue?

By taxing people who own property and businesses.

What are key responsibilities of a Canadian citizen?

Paying taxes, voting in elections, obeying the law, and caring for the environment.

Which four provinces originally formed Canada at Confederation in 1867?

Ontario, Québec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.

What are the three mandatory requirements to vote in a Canadian election?

Must be a Canadian citizen, at least $18$ years of age, and registered on the voters list.

How many senators sit in the Canadian Senate?

$105$ Senators.

Where is Parliament Hill located?

On Crown land on the southern banks of the Ottawa River in downtown Ottawa, Ontario.

What is the title of the presiding officer who maintains order and proceedings in the Senate?

The Speaker of the Senate.

What are the mandatory qualifications required to be appointed to the Canadian Senate?

Must be at least $30$ years of age, a Canadian citizen, reside in the province/area appointed for, and own property worth at least $\$4{,}000$.

What traditional nickname and institutional model describe the Canadian Senate?

The chamber of "sober second thought" (or the "Red Chamber"), modeled after the British House of Lords.

Who is the direct heir to the British and Canadian throne?

Prince William, Prince of Wales.

What is Canada's Royal Anthem?

"God Save the King."

What was the date of Confederation, and which British statute established it?

July 1, $1867$, created by the British North America Act (1867).

What are the official names of the provincial legislative bodies in Manitoba and Quebec?

The Manitoba Legislature in Manitoba, and the National Assembly in Quebec.

Which province was the last to join Canada, and in what year?

Newfoundland, which joined Canada in $1949$.

What happens during Question Period in the House of Commons?

Members direct questions to the Prime Minister or Cabinet Ministers to seek information from the Government and hold it accountable for its actions.

Who is the leader of the Green Party of Canada?

Elizabeth May.

What procedure occurs if a sitting Prime Minister dies in office?

The Governor General appoints another MP from the governing party in the House of Commons until a new party leader is formally elected.

What biographical details are given for King Charles III?

Born Charles Philip Arthur George at Buckingham Palace on November 14, $1948$; ascended to the throne in $2022$ as Canada's formal Head of State and constitutional monarch of $12$ other nations.