Social studies - Chapter 1

What does it mean to govern?

To make decisions as a government and put them into action.

What is governance?

The process of making decisions and running a government.

What is government?

The group that has power to make decisions for a society.

What happened in 1867?

Canada became a country and created its Constitution.

What is the Constitution Act?

A law from 1867 that explains how Canada’s government works.

Who was left out of Confederation in 1867?

Indigenous peoples were not consulted or included.

What are the three branches of government?

Executive, Legislative, Judicial.

What does the Executive Branch do?

It carries out laws.

Who is in the Executive Branch?

Governor General, Prime Minister, Cabinet.

What is the Prime Minister?

The leader of Canada’s government.

What is the Cabinet?

A group of MPs chosen by the Prime Minister to lead departments.

What does the Legislative Branch do?

It makes laws.

Who is in the Legislative Branch?

House of Commons, Senate, Governor General.

What is the House of Commons?

The main place where laws are proposed and debated.

What is a Member of Parliament (MP)?

An elected person who represents a riding.

What is a riding?

A voting area that elects one MP.

What is a majority government?

When one party wins more than half the seats.

What is a minority government?

A government that needs other parties to pass laws.

What is Question Period?

Time when MPs ask the government tough questions.

What is the Senate?

A group of appointed people who review and suggest changes to laws.

Who appoints senators?

The Prime Minister recommends them to the Governor General.

How long can a senator serve?

Until age 75.

What does the Senate represent?

Regions and minority groups in Canada.

Can the Senate reject a bill?

Yes, but they rarely do.

What can the Senate not do?

Propose laws that spend or raise money.

Who is the Governor General?

The King or Queen’s representative in Canada.

What is Royal Assent?

The Governor General’s final approval to make a bill a law.

What does the Judicial Branch do?

It interprets and applies the law.

What is the highest court in Canada?

The Supreme Court of Canada.

How many judges are on the Supreme Court?

Nine.

Who picks Supreme Court judges?

The Prime Minister and Cabinet.

What makes the Judicial Branch special?

It is separate from the other branches.

What happened in 1960 for Indigenous peoples?

They got the right to vote without losing treaty status.

Why do some Indigenous people choose not to vote?

They see voting as supporting a system that excluded them.

What is the media?

TV, radio, newspapers, internet, social media.

What does media do in politics?

It informs people and influences opinion.

What is the Parliamentary Press Gallery?

Reporters who cover Canadian government news.

What is media bias?

When media shows only one point of view.

What is a lobbyist?

Someone hired to influence the government.

What does the Federal Accountability Act do?

Makes government spending more honest and transparent.

What are lobbyists required to do?

Register and say who they meet in government.

How do lobbyists help?

They give expert opinions on issues.