Forms of Government & Indigenous Governance
Canada is best described as a combination of which forms of government?
Representative Democracy
Constitutional Monarchy
What are the three branches of government and why is this important in a democracy?
Executive branch, legislative branch and judicial branch.
Separation of Powers. Ensure that no one person or party has too much control over law-making.
A proposal for a new law or a change to an existing law.
Which democratic principle ensures that power remains in the hands of the people?
Free and fair elections (the right to vote).
The federal government implemented this Indigenous governance system to replace the traditional governance systems used long before settlers arrived.
Band Councils
A country where people vote, but power is heavily influenced by wealthy elites, may be described as a democracy with elements of which system.
Oligarchy
Which branch of government can deem a law unconstitutional?
The judicial branch
Who introduces most bills in parliament? Why is this?
Citizens peacefully protest a new law they disagree with, this is an example of which democratic principle?
Citizen participation
Which democratic principle allows citizens to speak out against their government?
Fundamental Freedoms (Freedom of speech)
What do you call a voting system where each member of a community must come to a unanimous agreement? It involves at-length discussions and compromises to ensure harmony among all community members.
Consensus decision making (Indigenous governance)
Which parliamentarians are appointed by the Governor General (advised by the Prime Minister).
Senators
If a bill is not passed through the first chamber (ex: the House of Commons), what happens to it?
The bill "dies" (it does not continue).
A politician is not charged with a crime because of their position in government. Which democratic principle has been violated?
Rule of Law
Which group is considered the "sober second thought" in the legislative process?
The Senate (Senators)
Compare the voting systems in representative democracies vs direct democracies. Describe 1 similarity and 1 difference.
Similarity: Everyone has the right to vote
Difference: Vote for representatives vs vote directly on policies / bills / etc.
Which branch: 1. Applies laws? 2. Makes laws? 3. Interprets and enforces the laws?
1. The Executive Branch
2. The Legislative Branch
3. Judicial Branch
Parliament is made up of three parts. Name them as well as the titles of the members in each part.
1. The House of Commons (MPs)
2. The Senate (Senators)
3. The Monarch (Governor General and the Monarch)
Voter turnout is extremely low, but elections are still competitive and fair. Which democratic principle is weakest?
Citizenship participation
What happens in Canada when a federal budget is not passed through legislation?
The Governor General dissolves parliament and a new election is called.
Using education systems within Indigenous communities as an example, explain the difference between self-governance and self-determination.
Self governance: Ability to govern one's community within the limits of the federal law. Create and implement education policies in their respective communities but still following the Ontario curriculum.
Self-determination: The right to choose their own political status and pursue their own economic, social and cultural development. Modify curriculum entirely to abide by Indigenous ways of knowing.
Why is the judicial branch kept separate from the other branches of government? Describe one policy or practice that protects this separation.
To ensure that our legal system is non-political. Judges cannot belong to political parties, engage in political activities, be fired for political reasons and they must justify their reasoning based in law rather than opinion or political ideology.
What is it the final step of the legislative process? Who is responsible? What is the unwritten rule (convention) related to this step?
Royal Assent
The Governor General
The Governor General must approve laws that have been successfully passed through Parliament.
What is Question Period and which democratic value does it uphold?
A 45 minute period where Members of Parliament ask questions to ministers (and the PM) about actions and policies. Accountability and transparency.
In traditional governance systems, different groups have different roles. Name 2 groups and their respective roles. (Indigenous Governance)
Elders and knowledge keepers: mentors that advise in light of past events.
Hunters / Gatherers: Roles related to survival and relationship to the land