Branches of Government
What are the 3 branches of government?
Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches
Who is Canada’s head of state?
The Governor General (Mary Simon) / The Monarch (The King)
Where is a law first introduced?
The House of Commons
What are the two major political parties in Canada?
The Liberal and Conservative party
Name one right in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
freedom of speech, right to be treated equal, rights to vote and participate in a democracy
Which branch creates laws?
Legislative branch
What is the role of a Member of Parliament (MP)?
representing citizens and debating/voting on laws
How many readings does a bill go through?
three readings
What is the role of the Official Opposition?
To challenge the government and hold them accountable
What is the legal voting age in Canada?
18 years old
What does the judicial branch do?
The judicial branch is responsible for interpreting and applying laws
Who in the parliament reviews and revises proposed bills?
The Senate
What happens after the House of Commons passes a bill?
The bill goes to the Senate for review
What is a minority government?
When the ruling party has fewer than half the seats in the House of Commons
Name two responsibilities of Canadian citizens.
obeying laws, voting, serving on a jury, or paying taxes.
Who leads the executive branch?
The Prime Minister
How is the Prime Minister chosen?
The leader of the party with the most elected MPs
What is "Royal Assent"?
When the Governor General signs a bill into law
How does a candidate win a seat in Parliament?
By winning the most votes in a riding
What is the purpose of a referendum?
a direct vote by citizens on an issue
How does the judicial branch check the other branches?
The judicial branch checks on other branches by ruling on whether laws are constitutional, ensuring justice is served, and ensuring there is no abuse of power or overstepping of authority
What are the Governor General’s main duties?
Giving royal assent, representing Canada abroad, and swearing in the Prime Minister
Name all the steps of a bill becoming law in order.
Introduction → 1st Reading (The bill is introduced in the House or Senate, and its objectives are explained) → 2nd Reading (The bill is debated, and its principle and purpose are accepted or rejected) Report Stage (Allows members to propose any changes) → Committee (A committee studies the bill in detail and recommends whether it should be amended, adopted, or dropped) → 3rd Reading (Bill, as amended, is re-printed and circulated) → Senate (The approved bill is sent to the Senate, where steps 1 through 5 are repeated) → Royal Assent (Bill comes into force and becomes an official law)
How often must a federal election be held in Canada?
at least every four years or if a vote of no confidence is set in motion
How can citizens influence government decisions?
By contacting MPs, protesting, or joining political parties