Canadian Government & Politics Quiz

Canadian Government & Politics

• Federal System: Power divided between central (national) and regional (provincial/territorial) governments. Federal government handles national issues, regional governments manage local ones.

• Cabinet: Group of ministers appointed by Prime Minister from elected Members of Parliament (MPs). Each minister responsible for a department; work together to make national policy decisions.

• Official Opposition: Political party with the second-largest number of seats in the House of Commons. Challenges ruling government, proposes alternatives.

• Civil Servant: Government employee who implements laws, policies, and provides services. Hired based on merit, not elected.

• Constituents/Electorate: Constituents are people in a specific electoral district (riding) represented by an elected official (e.g., MP); electorate are all eligible voters in a region/country.

• MP (Member of Parliament): Elected representative in the House of Commons, representing a riding. Debating laws, representing constituents, and making national decisions are their roles.

• First-Past-The-Post (FPTP): Voting system; candidate with most votes in a riding wins, even without a majority. Used in Canadian federal and provincial elections.

• Proportional Representation: Voting system where seats in legislature are allocated to parties based on the percentage of votes received. Aims for fairer representation of voter preferences than FPTP.

• Appointed: Officially selected or given a position. Prime Minister appoints Cabinet ministers, judges, etc.; not elected.

• Party Platform: Set of policies and goals promoted by a political party during elections; outlines party's stance on key issues and plans if in power.

• Lobby Group: Organization influencing government decisions. Often meets with officials, and campaigns to promote interests or a cause.

• Riding: Geographic area/electoral district represented by an elected official (e.g., MP). Each riding typically has an equal population size, ensuring fair representation.

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

• Entrenchment: Charter entrenched in the Constitution in 1982, part of the Constitution Act, 1982 under Pierre Trudeau.

• Fundamental Freedoms: Basic rights guaranteed by the Charter; e.g., freedom of expression.

• Mobility Rights: Right to move freely within Canada, enter and leave. Examples include living and working anywhere in Canada.

• Individual vs. Collective Rights: Individual rights belong to an individual, while collective rights are granted to groups based on shared characteristics.

• Collective Rights in Canada: Indigenous peoples, Franco-Canadians, Anglo-Canadians (French-speaking and English-speaking Canadians).

• Reasons for Collective Rights: Historical and cultural importance in Canada’s development; Indigenous peoples' longstanding presence; Franco-Canadians' role establishing the country; Anglo-Canadians' historical influence.

• Numbered Treaties: Agreements between the government and First Nations, to gain land access and offer compensation/services.

• Perspectives on Treaties: First Nations view treaties as land-sharing agreements with support, while the government viewed them as land purchases and development.

• Indian Act Assimilation Strategies: Controlling land/resource usage, banning traditional practices (e.g., Potlatch), and imposing residential schools.

• Ethnocentrism: Belief one's culture is superior; judging other cultures by one's own standards.

• Official Language Minority: Group with the same official language (French or English) as the majority, but in the minority within a region or country.

• Section 23 (Official Languages): Guarantees right to education in the minority official language (French or English) where there is sufficient demand.

• Manitoba Act: Created Manitoba as a province in 1870, recognizing both English and French as official languages, and granting land rights to the Métis.

• Scrip: Certificate/voucher redeemable for land/money given to Métis people.

• Section 35 (Aboriginal Rights): Recognizes and affirms rights of Indigenous peoples; entrenched in the Canadian Constitution.

Study Tips

• Understand roles and responsibilities of government officials (elected/appointed).
• Compare/contrast FPTP and Proportional Representation.
• Define and understand Cabinet functions and responsibilities.
• Explain connection between MPs, ridings, and constituents.
• Differentiate between individual and collective rights.
• Analyze historical contexts from First Nations’ perspectives.

Test your knowledge on the structure and functions of the Canadian government. This quiz covers key concepts such as the federal system, the role of the Cabinet, and the significance of the Official Opposition. Challenge yourself to understand the political workings of Canada!