Canadian Government Structure Overview
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Questions and Answers

What year did Canada achieve confederation and the establishment of two levels of government?

  • 1763
  • 1867 (correct)
  • 1945
  • 1901
  • Who has the formal role as the head of state in Canada?

  • The Governor General
  • The Speaker of the House
  • The Prime Minister
  • The Queen (correct)
  • What is the primary function of the Senate in Canada's legislative process?

  • To manage federal funding and budget allocation
  • To propose and make laws independently of the House of Commons
  • To solely reject bills proposed by the House of Commons
  • To debate and vote on bills passed by the House of Commons (correct)
  • What is the maximum number of justices that can serve on the Supreme Court of Canada?

    <p>9</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT part of the legislative branch in Canada?

    <p>Judiciary</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of bill is primarily proposed by the Cabinet and has government funding?

    <p>Public bill</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the first step in the House of Commons bill process?

    <p>First reading</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many judges sit on the Supreme Court of Canada?

    <p>9</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of lobbyists in the legislative process?

    <p>To influence MPs' opinions on bills and represent group interests</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of bill is primarily proposed by individual MPs and affects specific groups?

    <p>Private member bill</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major disadvantage of the First Past the Post (FPTP) electoral system?

    <p>It can lead to tactical voting</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the Federal Accountability Act require lobbyists to do?

    <p>Document which MPs they meet with</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what way can the media impact the political landscape?

    <p>By creating advertisements and managing public perceptions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is misleading content?

    <p>Accurate information presented in a misleading context</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who ultimately represents the monarch in Canada?

    <p>The Governor General</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the role of the legislative branch?

    <p>To create laws that reflect the interests of the public</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which content type is characterized by the impersonation of a genuine source?

    <p>Imposter content</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be the primary goal of a political party's platform?

    <p>To develop policies that appeal to the widest range of voters</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Canadian Government Structure

    • Canada's government is governed by the British North America Act, establishing a federal and provincial system with three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.

    Executive Branch

    • The Prime Minister (PM) holds significant power, though the Queen is the formal head of state.
    • The PM leads a cabinet of ministers, developing and proposing legislation.
    • The PM appoints cabinet ministers and other key positions.
    • The Prime Minister's Office is a vital part of the executive branch, often acting as a biased (partisan) source of influence.

    Legislative Branch

    • Also known as Parliament, it includes the House of Commons, the Senate, and the Governor General.
    • The House of Commons has elected Members of Parliament (MPs) representing specific constituencies.
    • MPs debate and vote on bills proposed by the cabinet, working to represent their constituents.
    • The House of Commons operates bilingually and represents regions proportionally based on population.
    • The Senate is comprised of appointed Senators and represents regional interests, second-guessing/reviewing bills originating in the House of Commons.

    Judicial Branch

    • The judicial branch consists of various courts (provincial, federal, tax, supreme).
    • It interprets and applies laws, safeguarding rights and providing final judgment on legal cases.
    • The Supreme Court of Canada, established in 1875, replaced the Privy Council and became Canada’s highest appeal court.
    • The court has 9 judges (justices), with representation from various regions, and justices serve until age 75 with a minimum of 10 years of prior court experience.
    • The Governor General appoints justices through an advisory process with the PM and Cabinet.
    • Courts are closed during the summer months.

    Bill Process (Legislation)

    • Bills originate in the House of Commons, progressing through stages: first reading (introduction), second reading (debate), committee stage (amendments), report stage (report on amendments), and third reading (final debate and vote).
    • Senate follows a similar process, potentially proposing amendments to House bills.
    • Bills require Royal Assent (approval by the Governor General) to become law.

    Types of Bills

    • Public bills, initiated by the government, impact the public (e.g., healthcare).
    • Private member bills, introduced by individual MPs or Senators, affect specific groups.
    • Private bills are proposed by petitions, impacting only those directly concerned.

    Electoral System

    • Canada utilizes the First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) system for elections, with a party winning a majority of seats forming the government.
    • Other systems like Proportional Representation aim for a more accurate representation but may lack stability.

    Lobbyists

    • Lobbyists aim to influence MPs on bills and represent the interests of groups.
    • Lobbyists are required to register with the Commissioner of Lobbying.

    Federal Accountability Act (FAA)

    • The FAA (2016) mandates documentation of lobbyists' contacts.
    • Promotes transparency in lobbying procedures.

    Media and Politics

    • The Parliamentary Press Gallery provides diverse media coverage of parliament activities.
    • Media plays a role in presenting politicians and their policies.
    • Attack and political advertisements are part of the political process.

    Mis/Disinformation

    • Mis/disinformation involves false or misleading information, including fabricated, manipulated, imposter, misleading, false context, parody, and deepfake content.

    Glossary

    • Key terms related to government, governance, and political processes are defined.

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    Description

    Explore the intricacies of the Canadian government structure established by the British North America Act. This quiz covers the roles of the executive and legislative branches, including the Prime Minister, cabinet ministers, and the House of Commons. Test your knowledge on how these components work together to govern Canada.

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