Elections and Voting
What electoral system gives the seat to the candidate with the most votes in each riding?
First-past-the-post.
What type of government exists when the governing party holds more than half the seats in the House of Commons?
A majority government.
Which branch of government debates and passes laws?
The legislative branch.
During what part of Parliament do MPs question the government about its decisions and actions?
Question Period.
What document outlines a political party's plans and promises for an election?
A party platform.
What is the name of the area represented by one elected Member of Parliament?
A riding.
What type of government exists when the governing party holds fewer than half the seats in the House of Commons?
A minority government.
Which branch carries out government decisions and manages government departments?
The executive branch.
What independent official examines government spending and reports on how public money is managed?
The Auditor-General.
What is a group of elected members from the same political party who discuss issues and strategy?
A caucus.
What does representation by population generally mean?
Provinces with larger populations generally receive more MPs.
Why might a minority government need support from other political parties?
It may not have enough seats to pass bills or maintain the confidence of the House.
Which branch interprets laws and considers whether laws follow the Constitution?
The judicial branch.
What role does investigative media play in a democracy?
It informs citizens, investigates government actions, and exposes possible problems.
What is a group that attempts to influence government decisions on specific issues?
A lobby group.
Why might a political party win more seats than its share of the national popular vote?
First-past-the-post awards seats based on riding results, not the national vote total.
What could happen if a government loses a confidence vote in the House of Commons?
The government may resign or an election may be called.
What document establishes the basic rules of government and limits government power?
The Constitution.
Name three ways the federal government can be held accountable.
Elections, Question Period, media investigations, and the Auditor-General. Any three are acceptable.
What principle expects Cabinet ministers to publicly support Cabinet decisions or resign from Cabinet?
Cabinet solidarity.
A party wins 44% of the popular vote but 70% of the seats. What does this show about Canada's electoral system?
The share of seats a party wins does not have to match its share of the popular vote.
Why can a minority government have more difficulty passing legislation than a majority government?
It must gain support from MPs outside its governing party when it lacks enough votes to pass bills.
A law may violate a Charter freedom. Which branch can examine whether the law follows the Constitution and the Charter?
The judicial branch, including the courts.
Why is it important for the opposition to question government decisions and propose alternatives?
It helps scrutinize government actions, present alternatives, and hold the government accountable.
Give one reason for having a Senate and one criticism of having an appointed Senate.
Reason: The Senate reviews legislation and considers regional or minority interests. Criticism: Senators are not directly elected by voters.