Executive Branch
Who is the executive branch composed of?
Prime minister and the cabinet
What is the main job of the legislative branch?
To make laws
Define accountable
Answerable to someone for your actions; observable, transparent
What is the main job of the judicial branch?
To interpret laws
What type of government is Canada?
Representative democracy
What does the cabinet do?
Cabinet members help make government decisions by creating policies, discussing issues, and advising the Prime Minister.
What is Canada’s national law-making body called?
Parliament
Define a political party
A political party is a group of people who have similar ideas about how government should respond to issues facing society.
What are people who make decisions in courts called?
Judges
Who does the governor general represent?
The crown
What is a minister responsible for in the government called?
A portfolio
What are the three parts of Canada’s Parliament?
The House of Commons, the Senate, and the governor general
Define lobbyist
Lobbyists are people paid to represent the interests of particular groups in society
What is Canada’s highest court?
The Supreme Court of Canada
Describe the process of how a bill becomes a law.
First reading, second reading, committee, report stage, third reading
The executive branch is responsible for what main job?
Carrying out and enforcing laws
What must happen to a bill before it becomes a law?
It must pass through Parliament and receive royal assent
Define civil servant
The people who serve Canadians as employees of the government.
Who appoints judges to Canada’s courts?
The government (federal or provincial, depending on the court)
How do the media connect Canadians to their government?
The media connect Canadians to their government by sharing information about government decisions, policies, elections, and political issues, helping citizens stay informed and participate in democracy.
How many portfolios do cabinet ministers have?
38
Who leads the debates and manages the House of Commons?
The Speaker of the House of Commons
Define constituents
Someone who lives in a riding and is represented by an elected official from that riding
What distinguishes the judicial branch from the legislative and executive branches?
The judicial branches is seperatefrom other branches and acts as a check on their powers.
What is the federal accountability act?
The Federal Accountability Act is a Canadian law that makes government more transparent and reduces corruption by setting stricter rules on ethics, lobbying, and spending.