Chapter 5 – How Canadians Govern Themselves
- What are the three key facts about Canada’s system of government?
Canada is a federal state, a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy
- What are the levels of government in Canada?
Federal, provincial, territorial and municipal
- When were the responsibilities of the federal and provincial governments defined?
1867
- What is the former name of the Constitution Act?
The British North American Act
- In which Act are the responsibilities of the federal and provincial governments defined?
The Constitution Act
- What is the shared jurisdiction of the federal and provincial governments?
Agriculture and immigration
- How are senators chosen?
They are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister
- What does “federalism” mean?
The different provinces can adopt policies tailored to their own populations
- Every province has its own elected Legislative Assembly
True
- How many territories are there in Canada?
Three
- What does “parliamentary democracy” mean?
The people elect members to the House of Commons in Ottawa and to the provincial and territorial legislatures
- Which of the following is a responsibility of the members to the House of Commons in Ottawa and to the provincial and territorial legislatures?
Keeping the government accountable
- What are the responsibilities of the members to the House of Commons in Ottawa and to the provincial and territorial legislatures?
Passing laws, approving and monitoring expenditures, and keeping the government accountable
- What does it mean to retain the “confidence of the House”?
Cabinet ministers are responsible to the elected representatives
- What happens if the cabinet ministers are defeated in a non-confidence vote?
They have to resign
- What comprises a provincial legislature?
The Lieutenant Governor and the elected Assembly
- How does a bill become a law?
The bill must be passed by the House of Commons and the Senate, and must receive royal assent
- What are the responsibilities of the federal government?
Matters of national and international concern
- Which of the following is the responsibility of federal government?
Criminal law and citizenship
- For what are the provincial governments responsible?
Education, health, natural resources, property, civil rights, and highways
- Which of the following is a responsibility of the provinces?
Highways
- What does “federalism” do?
Allows different provinces to adopt policies tailored to their own populations
- Where are the Parliament buildings located?
Ottawa
- In Canada, how are political representatives chosen (members of the House of Commons and members of the provincial and territorial legislatures)?
They are elected by the people
- Which one of the following is not a responsibility of a political representative (members of the House of Commons and members of the provincial and territorial legislatures)?
Select the Cabinet Ministers
- What does it mean for the Cabinet Ministers to retain the “confidence of the House”?
Cabinet ministers have to resign if they are defeated in a non-confidence vote
- What are the three parts of Parliament?
Sovereign, Senate and House of Commons
- Who selects the Cabinet Ministers?
The Prime Minister
- For what is the Prime Minister of Canada responsible?
The operations and policy of the government
- What is the “House of Commons”?
The representative chamber made up of members of Parliament
- How often are members of Parliament elected?
Four years
- How are Senators appointed?
By the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister
- Who considers and reviews proposals for new laws?
The House of Commons and the Senate
- What is a proposal for a new law called?
A bill
- How can a bill become a law in Canada?
It is passed by both chambers and receives royal assent
- For a bill to become a law, how many readings must it go through?
None
- What form of government does Canada have?
Constitutional Monarchy
- Who is Canada’s Head of State?
The Queen
- What is a “hereditary Sovereign”?
A Queen or a King
- What does “constitutional monarchy” mean?
Canada’s Head of State is a hereditary Sovereign (Queen or King)
- How does Canada’s Head of State reign?
In accordance with the Constitution: the rule of law
- What would best describe the role of the Queen in Canada?
The Queen is a symbol of Canadian sovereignty and a guardian of constitutional freedoms
- To how many other Commonwealth nations is Canada linked?
53
- Who is Canada’s head of government?
The Prime Minister
- What is the difference between the Head of State and the Head of Government?
The Head of Government actually directs the governing of the country
- Who is the Sovereign represented by in Canada?
The Governor General
- How is the Governor General chosen?
Appointed by the Sovereign on the advice of the Prime Minister
- What do you call the Queen’s representative in the provinces?
Lieutenant Governor
- How is the Lieutenant Governor chosen?
Appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister
- What are the three branches of Canadian government?
Executive, Legislative and Judicial
- Where are the provincial and territorial laws passed?
In the elected legislature
- How do you call the Head of a Province?
The Premier
- In the territories, who represents the government?
The Commissioner
- What is the name of the highest judiciary court in Canada?
The Supreme Court
