Canadian Civics (Grade 10)
Cabinet Solidarity
Custom that cabinet members must appear united and inn agreement with one another
Canadian Political Party Examples
Conservatives, Liberals, NDP, Green, Bloc Quebecois
Requirements to become a Canadian citizen...
18+ years old Speaks English or French Permanent resident lawfully admitted to Canada Lives here for 3 of the previous 4 years Know the information outlines in the Citizenship and Immigration Canada handbook
Independent
A candidate or elected member who does't belong to a political party
Consensus
A collective decision to which all parties agree
Government
A decision making system that makes laws and directs the affairs of the country
Bias
A preconceived opinion, a one-sided view, or a prejudice
Global Village
A term describing the world as one large community with all people connected through technology
Bill
A written proposal for a law
By-election
An election held for a vacant seat(s) rather that an election for all seats in a general election
Riding
Area that has its own member of Parliament
Lobbying
Attempts to influence decision makers through direct persuasion, discussion or persistent attention.
Jurisdiction
Authority to make ad carry out laws
A Canadian citizen is...
Born in Canada, has a parent who is Canadian, or has applied for citizenship
Legislative Branch
Brach of government that has the power to make, change or appeal laws. Also called Parliament
Executive Branch
Branch of government that has the power to carry out the plans and policies of the government
Judicial Branch
Branch of government with the power to interpret laws, decide when a law is broken, and what the consequences of such action should be
Elements of Democracy
Citizens should have a voice in decision making All citizens should be treated equally All citizens should have fundamental rights and freedoms Citizens should have a sense of responsibility to other people in their community Citizens should have a sense of what is socially just
Amalgamation
Combination of cities, tows, or other areas under one government
Direct Democracy
Democratic system in which every citizen participates directly in decision making
Factors in how Canada is Governed
Diverse cultural history Geography Economics Technology and industry Global forces Values, beliefs and ideologies
Examples of Provincial Responsibilities
Education, health care, highways
Apartheid
Former policy of South Africa, which called for separation between blacks and whites.
Constitutional Monarchy
Government in which the monarch has only the powers laid out in the nation's constitution and laws.
Protest Group
Group of individuals who demonstrate together to influence decision makers through direct and sometimes extraordinary action
Cabinet
Group of ministers that decide what government policy should be. They are usually responsible for certain departments ex. Foreign Affairs
Caucus
Group of representatives from the same political party in Parliament.
Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the 2nd largest party in the House of Commons
Examples of Federal Responsibilities
National defence, foreign affairs, criminal law, postal service
Civil Service
Network people hired to work for the government. Also called public service
passive Resistance
Non-violent political action
Political Party
Organization of people with similar views on public issues who work to elect their candidates
Member of Parliament (MP)
Person chosen in an election to represent the citizens, and to debate and vote on public issues in Parliament
Lobbyist
Person hired to represent the interests of a group by influencing decision makers in the group's favour
Rule of Law
Principle that people are governed by laws and that no person is above the law
Rep. by Pop.
Principle that representation should be based on population
Majority Rule
Principle that the opinion that the people of the greater amount should prevail
Referendum
Process of referring a political question to the people for a dorset vote
Election
Process of voting to choose government representatives
Party Platform
Proposals made by a political party during an election campaign
Examples go Municipal Responsibilities
Public transit, garbage collection, snow removal, local police service
Civil Disobedience
Refusal to obey laws believed to be unjust/unfair, or to intentionally break laws to get the attention of the government
Bylaw
Regulation passed by the municipal government
Equality Rights
Rights guaranteed in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, forbidding discrimination of any kind.
Legal Rights
Rights pertaining to if one was ever arrested or facing a crime
Ideology
Set of beliefs and values, especially on how a society should be organized and what goals to should pursue
Pluralist Society
Society in which different groups with a range of beliefs can influence political life
Mediator
Someone who helps 2 sides negotiate with each other
Arbitrator
Someone who settles a dispute with their own solution
Civics
Study of how public decisions are made, of issues that are important to the public, and of the rights and responsibilities of citizens
Democracy
System in which decisions are controlled by the people.
Autocracy
System of government in which few rulers have tremendous power to make decisions for the people
Genocide
The deliberate and systematic murder of a social/cultural group
Freedom of Expression
The right to speak, write, or publish opinions
Franchise
The right to vote in a public election for members of Parliament, provincial legislatures, and municipal councils
Constitution
The supreme law of the land. Outlines the government structure for a nation. Defines and limits government powers
Question Period
Time put aside for the Opposition parties to raise issues and question the government
Human Rights
Universal rights, based on what is generally believed to be right or wrong, this applies to all people around the world
Ethnocentrism
View that one's own cultural group is superior than any other
Civil Society
Voluntary organizations of citizens that work to make a difference on important public issues
Act
Written law passed by Parliament
