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Government

Terms in this set (94)

democracy
Rule by the people. The people of the province or country have a right to have a voice in decisions that affect them. In Canada we do this by electing representative to make decisions for us.
suffrage
the right to vote
communism
Political philosophy advocated by Karl Marx in the mid nineteenth century. During the twentieth century the Russian Revolution established the first Communist state in the world. After World War II, Communism was imposed on Eastern European countries and a communist government came to power in China, North Vietnam and North Korea. All of these countries were or are ruled by totalitarian, repressive means.
socialism
A left wing political ideology that believes the government should play a larger role in the lives of citizens. It would support change in order to improve the lives of citizens. In Canada the New Democratic Party is considered a left wing socialist party.
capitalism
An economic system in which the factors of production are privately owned and supply and demand answer the economic questions of what, when, why, and how to produce.
fascism
A far right wing political ideology that glorifies the state, encourages aggressive nationalism, and demands a strong
leader. It first became popular in Mussolini's Italy which became a model for other right wing dictatorships.
bill
An idea that a cabinet minister or a private member introduces into the House of Commons with the intention that it will go through the necessary readings to become a law
British Columbia Human Rights Code
Protects all British Columbians against discrimination and abuses in a wide variety of areas including age, ancestry, physical or mental ability, political beliefs, and sexual orientation.
British North America Act BNA (1867)
Came into force on July 1, 1867. It resulted in the confederation of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Quebec into the Dominion of Canada. The Act served as Canada's written constitution until 1982. The present constitution of Canada still contains most of the provisions of the BNA Act.
Cabinet
Members of the prime minister's political party who are appointed to head different departments of the government and act as advisers to the prime minister. The cabinet is the executive part of the government
Cabinet solidarity
Refers to the fact that all members of cabinet must support all decisions that are made by the cabinet. If a cabinet member cannot support a decision, he or she would be expected to resign.
Canada Act 1982
This document became Canada's new constitution. Included most provisions of the BNA Act, a Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and an amending formula. It was agreed to by the federal government and nine of the ten provinces. Quebec refused to agree.
Canadian Bill of Rights
Passed by the federal government in 1960. Recognized rights Canadians already had under the common law system. Since it was an act of Parliament, it could be changed by future parliaments.
Candidate
A person who is willing to put their name forward to run in a federal or provincial election
caucus
Private meeting of all the members of one political party to discuss strategy for dealing with issues that will be debated in the House of Commons.
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