Canada's Government System
Who is our current Governor General, Prime Minister, and Head of State
Mary Simon, Mark Carney, King Charles
What is a logical fallacy?
A logical fallacy is a type of faulty argument.
This type of argument may sound convincing in the moment, but if you stop and examine it, it does not stand up to the test of logic.
How long do elections formally last in Canada?
36-50 days
Explain the difference between left and right wing
Left-Wing
Increased government involvement (Big Government)
Government regulations on business
More taxes and Social Services
More equality
Right-Wing
Less Government involvement (small government)
Laissez-Faire Economics
Less taxes and Social Services
More security
Explain dual federalism
Provinces have powers that are independent from the Federal Government of Canada
Explain how the Senate is selected and the length of their term.
Appointed by the Governor General on advice of the Prime Minister
Can hold their seat until age 75
"If we let students have phones in the classroom, they will never pay attention to the teacher, and won’t learn anything at school." is an example of which fallacy?
Slippery Slope
Define what a valence issue is and provide an example.
An issue where most voters, regardless of their political beliefs, would all likely agree
EXAMPLES VARY
Explain what a "Two-Party Plus" system is and why this is used in reference to Canada
a political system where two major parties dominate, but a third party or more regularly wins seats in government, preventing the system from being purely two-party.
in Canada only the conservative or liberal party have been in power of the government
What is the question period?
Each day for 45 minutes the opposition party gets to question the government about their actions
The purpose of question period is to maintain transparency and accountability within the government
During this time opposition members can ask any member of the executive (PM or Cabinet) questions about their area of responsibility
What are the three BRANCHES of government and what is the role of each branch
Legislative - makes laws
Executive - implements and carries out laws
Judicial - interprets laws
What are TWO reasons we have leaders debates?
An opportunity for party leaders to present their policy ideas to the public.
For most of the public, this is the one time they will actually hear from each of the party leaders.
A chance for party leaders to challenge their opponents’ positions.
Experts say that one big moment at the Federal debates has the power to sway an election
A chance for the party leaders to make an impression on the public
People feel much differently seeing the debates live
Experts say that people who only read about the debates are greatly influenced by the way the media portrays the debate
What is the difference between retrospective and prospective voting?
Retrospective Voting
Making a decision to vote for a person or party based on their past experience
Often the party in power will reiterate past successes during a campaign to play up their historical record
Opposition parties will often highlight blunders made by the incumbent party as evidence that they are not fit to lead
Prospective Voting
Making a decision to vote for a person or party based on the imagined future of what they might accomplish
This is what party’s try to accomplish when they launch their platforms prior to an election
Choose one reason why we have political parties to explain.
ACCEPTABLE ANSWERS
Facilitate collective action
Parties make it easier to form groups that share similar beliefs about how the country should be governed
Facilitate policy making
Grouping up in parties makes it easier for representatives to create action
Deal with politician ambition
Create a structure for ambitious people to move through the ranks and gain important positions
This is supposed to offset self-serving politicians
Define expenditures
To deliver on its responsibilities, the federal government must spend money. These costs are known as expenditures.
Explain the different responsibilities at the different levels of government (federal, provincial, municipal)
The federal government is responsible for all national matters.
Defense and armed forces
Public safety
International trade
The environment
Citizenship and immigration
Provincial or territorial governments look after regional issues.
Health-care delivery
Agriculture
Resources
Education
Energy
Local concerns are the responsibility of your municipal (or local)government.
For example:
Garbage and recycling
Water and sewer
Parks and playgrounds
Public transit
Fire protection
What is a "zinger" and a "gaffe"
Zinger = a striking or amusing remark
Gaffe = a mistake/error causing embarrassment
List TWO problems with the FPTP (first past the post) electoral system we have in Canada.
Parliament doesn’t always represent the will of the people
Not everyone can see the value of their vote
Creates apathy
Encourages strategic voting, rather than true democratic voting
System is inherently confrontational
Name THREE things political parties are responsible for doing.
ANY OF THESE RESPONSES
Recruit Candidates
Nominate Candidates
Get out the vote / mobilize voters
Facilitate Electoral Choice
Influence National Government
Give either an advantage or disadvantage for a minority government as well as either an advantage or disadvantage for a majority government.
Majority
Advantage - Easier to make changes, pass bills,approve budgets.
Disadvantage - Can result in poor cooperation between parties or inability for other parties to get bills passed. In some cases, a majority government may pass bills that are not in the best interest of Canadians (Hence, why we have a Senate!!)
Minority
Advantage - Requires cooperation of political parties and their leaders to make decisions
Disadvantage - Can be very difficult for the government to make changes or pass bills (not enough voting power)
Who are the elected members of government at the provincial and federal level? Bonus Points if you know who your local representatives are:)
Federal
Members of Parliament(MP)
Rosemarie Falk (Battlefords-Lloydmister)
Provincial
Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA)
James Thorsteinson (Cutknife-Turtleford)
Pick 5 of the 6 logical fallacies to define.
Authoritative Argument
Slippery Slope
False Dilemma
Personal Attack
Strawman Argument
Appeal to Tradition
Voters are typically influence by THREE key factors. What are they?
Party Loyalty
Who they have voted for in the past
People are influenced by their parents
Some people make connections to parties based on previous leaders
Candidate Characteristics
How much voters connect with the candidate
Race, religious beliefs, social background, ect.
Stereotypes and prejudice can negatively impact some candidates, especially in Western countries
People want to vote for someone who they think are similar to them – politicians try to make themselves seem like the“every man”
Issues
Where the candidates sit on certain spatial issues
Identify where these political parties fall on the political spectrum and their main focus: Liberal, Conservative, NDP, Green Party
Conservative – center-right (focus on business and the economy)
Liberal – center-left (focus on environment, equality, and economy)
NDP – left (focus on social equality and social programming)
Green – Left (focus on environment and government reform)
How does a bill become a law?
3 readings:
Reading 1 Bill is introduced and read for the first time, all MP’s receive a copy
Reading 2 Bill is read for the second time, statements for and against the bill are presented, bill is voted on, if successfully the bill will move to committee stage
Reading 3 Bill is read for the third time and voted on, if passed it will go to the Senate