Civics Test Review PDF

Civics Test Review sheet of doom and despair Canada’s Federal System Of Government What is Federalism -​ In it, the powers of government are split between federal and state or provincial levels. The federal (central) government has jurisdiction over the whole country...

Civics Test Review sheet of doom and despair Canada’s Federal System Of Government What is Federalism -​ In it, the powers of government are split between federal and state or provincial levels. The federal (central) government has jurisdiction over the whole country Why Choose A Federal Government? -​ Balances responsibilities and power -​ Helps address local concerns -​ Accommodates diversity and differences in large or diverse countries like Canada Canadian Branches of Government -​ Executive: vested in the Crown and carried out by the Governor in Council—the Prime Minister and cabinet. -​ Legislative: Parliament is the legislative branch of the federal government. -​ Judicial: The Supreme Court of Canada Federal Government -​ The federal government is the national government -​ Governor General: Summoning, proroguing and dissolving Parliament. -​ Prime Minister: Controls the governing party and speaks for it -​ Cabinet: The body of ministerial advisors that sets the federal government's policies and priorities for the country. -​ Backbenchers: Hold no significant roles but can still vote, participate in debates, and raise issues. -​ Mps: Elected by representatives. MP’s create debate, and vote on federal laws and issues. Their leader is the Prime Minister. -​ Public service: Implement government policies, programs, and services. -​ House Of Commons: made up of MP’s, the place where the MP’s debate and pass laws, scrutinize the government, and represent constituents. -​ Parties: organized groups of individuals who share common beliefs, values and goals. -​ Leaders: lead a political party -​ Caucus: All elected members of a political party in the house of commons. -​ Official Opposition: party with the second most seats in the house of commons. -​ Minority Government: A party who has the most seats wins less than half of the total number of seats. Provincial Government -​ Responsible for their own province or territory and issues such as education, health care, social welfare, transportation and infrastructure. -​ Lieutenant Governor: acts in a primarily ceremonial fashion, carrying out some of the ritual duties normally associated with heads of state and thus symbolizing the sovereignty of the provinces within confederation. -​ Premier: selects ministers to form the Executive Council (provincial cabinet), and serves as its chair. -​ MPP’s: Enact, amend or repeal laws and regulations. Participate in developing or amending government policies, programs or procedures. Represent their government at  local, national and international meetings and conferences. Respond to matters of concern to constituents or the general public. -​ Seats: Seats are positions held by elected representatives in the legislature assembly or council of a province or territory. Seats represent the voices of the people in their respective areas and allow representatives to participate in legislative decisions and debates. And the passing of laws. In Canada, our seats are occupied by MLAs, MPPs, or similar titles depending on the province. -​ Parties: groups of people who share values and policies and work together to win elections and govern. -​ Leaders of Parties: Represents the party as its head. Municipal Government -​ Run cities, towns or districts(municipalities) -​ Mayor: The Supreme Court of Canada -​ Council: Make decisions about municipal financing and services. Caucus -All MPs from one party Minority vs Majority Government -A minority government is when no party has more than 164 MPs elected. A majority government is when a party has half or more than half of the seats (164+) Speaker of the House -​ An MP is selected by all MPs to act as a referee and make sure all the rules are followed. Must be non-partisan (not in favour of any party) ​ Question Period -Happens everyday in parliament in session for 45 minutes, opposition members ask questions of the MP and his cabinet. The Senate -Senate is more important than the house of commons, blocks any irresponsible bills passed by the house of commons. How are laws made? Bill vs Act -A bill is a proposal for a law that is being considered by the legislature. An Act is a bill that has passed all legislative steps and has become a law. ​ Types of Bills -​ Government bills are introduced by the governing party -​ Private members bills are introduced by individual MPs without government support (less likely to pass into law) Steps from Bill to Law -​ Parliamentary stage (idea is proposed) -​ 1st reading (introduced to house of commons) -​ 2nd reading(MPs debate in house of commons) -​ Committee stage(legislative committee debate) -​ Reporting stage(commitee reports to house of commons) -​ 3rd reading(final vote)  -​ Senate(some quick procedures) -​ Royal assent(governor general recognizes bill as law) Canada’s Justice System ​ Goals of the Judicial System -Safety -Social order -Respect Fundamental legal rights -free of unreasonable search -right to know cause of arrest -be represented by a lawyer -if charged with an offense you have the right to know the details -trial within reasonable time -innocent until proven guilty -not be denied bail without just cause Criminal Justice Process 1- Investigation: Investigation of suspect 2- Arrest: Once there is enough evidence, an arrest can be made with or without a warrant but if there is no warrant the police must of reasonable grounds for arrest 3- Initial Appearance in Court: Brought before court for an initial hearing so a judge may determine whether the accused will be released on bail or held until further trial 4- Pre-trial Proceedings: The accused will be informed of charges. Evidence that will be used in court is exchanged. Negotiations of pleading guilty for a lower punishment may occur. 5- Trial: Federal or Provincial level trial will take place to decide of the accused is guilt or innocent 6- Sentencing: if found guilty, a sentence hearing takes place inorder to appoint a reasonable sentence 7- Appeal: if convicted, the accused has a right to appeal to a higher court in hopes of rectifying flaws in the initial trial (if there was any) Youth Criminal Justice -​ The Youth Criminal Justice Act reflects Canada's belief in balancing accountability and rehabilitation when dealing with young offenders. It emphasizes early intervention, reintegration, and preventing future crimes through rehabilitation-focused approaches, while also ensuring that youth are held accountable for their actions. ​ Wrongful Convictions - In Canada, wrongful convictions are taken seriously, and there are multiple mechanisms—appeals, federal reviews, and organizations like Innocence Canada—designed to address and correct these injustices. Civil Law - Civil law in Canada refers to the area of law that deals with disputes between individuals, organizations, or both, where the primary aim is to resolve private conflicts, rather than to punish criminal behavior Political Ideologies - a certain set of ethical ideals, principles, doctrines, myths or symbols of a social movement, institution, class or large group that explains how society should work and offers some political and cultural blueprint for a certain social order. ​ -Right(no change) -centre -Left(change) ​ -Communism (government owns everything) ​ -Socialism(government owns capital and land for the benefit of the people) ​ -Liberalism(individuals have rights and civil duties that dont restrict their growth) ​ -Conservatism(no change, if there is it is done slowly) ​ -Fascism(Government has all control and uses the military to enforce authority) Canada’s political parties Liberal Conservative New Bloc Quebecois Green Party Democratic Leader Justin Pierre Poliviere Jagmet Singh Yves-Francois Elizabeth Trudeau May Ideology Liberalism Conservatism Socialism Socialism/Liberali Socialism sm Taxation Keep the Lower Higher, Higher Higher, same or raise especially for Carbon Tax businesses Economics Some Little More The main focus is Develop a interference, interference intervention Quebec green free market economy Social More Less Many more More More Programs Traditional Change if Promote ‘family Change Change(independ The vs Change wanted values’ (support ence of Quebec government euthanasia) from Canada) should not legislate morality Crime Social Tougher Social Social Programs Social Programs Punishments Programs Programs Healthcare Some No Privatization No Independent Expanded Privatization Privatization System in Quebec Healthcare Coverage Environment Some Green Immediate More Action Important TOP Programs Action PRIORITY Military Increase Increase Decrease Moderate Less active,  Liberal Conservative New Bloc Quebecois Green Party Democratic Leader Justin Pierre Poliviere Jagmet Singh Yves-Francois Elizabeth Trudeau May Ideology Liberalism Conservatism Socialism Socialism/Liberali Socialism sm Speeding, Speeding spending and speeding get rid of use the intervention nuclear military more Elections ​ -Every 5 years -One person is selected from each riding as an MP (first past the post) -the call (PM ask governor to call an election) -Nominations(candidates stand for elections) -The voters list(chief electoral officer makes a voters list) -The campaign(each party promotes their platform) -The voters(voters are informed of where to vote) -Election Day(voters go to polling stations to vote) -The count(votes are counted) -The winner(candidate with most votes is elected PM) -Costs $616 millions Electoral Reform -2 party system (only 2 parties, no more) -mandatory voting -Proportional representation(% of votes = # of seats) Referendum -A form of direct democracy, voters get to vote on a issue instead of the representatives deciding Government and budget ​ Possibilities at federal level ​ -Defense, citizenship and immigration, environment, international trade Responsibilities at a provincial level - Care, education, agriculture, transportation Responsibilities and municipal level -Garbage, water, playgrounds ​ Transfer Payments -money goes directly to people, provinces, etc Program expenses -Cost to run federal departments, agencies and crown corporations Interest on national debt  -The amount of money the federal government has borrowed to cover outstanding balance of expenses incurred over time Taxes -PersonalC(ome from individual based on their income) -corporate (comes from businesses and their Profits) -GST(good and services tax) -PST(important dutie, fuel tax,etc) Employment insurance premiums -Is used to help Canadians looking for or unable to work, employees and employers have to pay this tax Crown Corporations -Businesses run by the federal government for people outside of government Different views on budget use -Skills training, food security, climate change, restorative justice Parties and their priorities -Liberal(want to help Canadians families thrive) -Conservatives Wwant to lower taxes to allow you to keep money in your pockets) -NDP (wants to focus on climate changeAnd grow clean energy) -Bloc (no tax Havens and better funding for health education in Quebec) -Green party (wants to focus on Pharma care less debt) -Peoples party (wants to cut corporate wellfare) Government policy ​ Platform vs Policy ​ -Policy is a plan or action of a political part/goverment to achieve certain goals ​ -Platform is a group of policies a party promises to pursue if elected ​ Types of Policies ​ -Social ​ -Financial ​ -International ​ -Public works ​ What influences policies ​ -Party Membership(Every Canadian is illegible to join a party) -Civil service advice(calculating cost of implementing the policies) - Judicial opinion(policy must comply with current laws) -Economic realities(economic conditions affect policies) -International pressure (trades depend on relationships) - Interest groups(groups of people with common causes or goals to try and influence policy makers) Media and government (and propaganda) ​ -Mass media(reach large audiences) ​ -Ancient egyptian alphabet ​ -Gutenberg Press ​ -News paper to tv ​ -HDML chat rooms ​ -Twitter ​ -Evolution of tv ​ -Propaganda(Manipulation of media designed to influence a group or population