Deck 14: Parliamentary Systems

Question 1

__________________ is a measure that the opposition can use to bring down a government in a Parliamentary system.

A) Non-confidence motion
B) Confidence motion
C) Disclosure
D) Party discipline

Answer 1

A

Question 2

This term is used to describe a condition in which the political executive is accountable, or must hold the confidence of, the legislative branch.

A) minority government
B) responsible government
C) elected government
D) coalition government

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Which among the following is a central agency of Canadian government?

A) Treasury Board
B) Ministry of Defence
C) Cabinet Office
D) Department of Revenue

Answer 3

A

Question 4

In selecting members of his or her cabinet, a Canadian prime minister is most likely to be sensitive to which of the following basis of representation?

A) culture
B) geography
C) gender
D) religion

Question 5

In Canada, the head of government is ________.

A) The Prime Minister
B) Crown
C) Governor General
D) Queen Elizabeth II

Question 6

What issue prompted Parliamentary Speaker Peter Milliken to rule the Harper government to be in contempt of Parliament in 2010?

A) an accusation of tampering with election finances
B) the decision to prorogue Parliament and prevent a non-confidence motion
C) the refusal to provide documents concerning treatment of Afghan prisoners
D) an insult made in the House by a backbench Conservative MP

Question 7

After the May 2010 UK election, the Liberal Democratic party negotiated with the Conservative party and the Labour party to form a(n) ________.

A) executive alliance
B) coalition government
C) minority government
D) new political party

Question 8

In Canada, the lieutenant-governors are recommended by the ________.

A) prime minister and appointed by the Monarch
B) premiers and appointed by the Monarch
C) The premiers and appointed by the prime minister
D) The Monarch and appointed by the prime minister

Question 9

What is the name of the motion to limit debate in the House of Commons?

A) Filibuster
B) Closure
C) Cancellation
D) Limitation

Question 10

The Canadian parliamentary system can be described as a system of "executive dominance" because it places considerable power in the hands of the ________.

A) prime minster and the cabinet
B) head of state
C) prime minister alone
D) courts

Question 11

Responsible government is, by definition ______________.

A) competent and mature enough to ensure that conflicts in Canadian society are amicably resolved
B) government that is chosen from the legislature and that requires its support to govern
C) only needed during times of national emergency or crises
D) the formal separation of the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government

Question 12

In 2008, when Governor General Michaëlle Jean granted Prime Minister Harper's request to prorogue Parliament, she was using the ____________ power.

A) prerogative
B) judicial
C) legislative
D) appointment

Question 13

Canada's Senate is ________.

A) elected by voters in each province
B) composed of persons who have been selected by a prime minister
C) composed of six Senators for each province
D) able only to delay legislation passed by the House of Commons

Question 14

The ________ plays a central role in organizing the Cabinet and directing the activities of government, and provides policy advice to the prime minister.

A) Prime Minister's Office.
B) Privy Council Office
C) Treasury Board
D) Governor General

Question 15

The Canadian governor general is expected to choose as the prime minister the person who ________.

A) has been elected by the House of Commons as prime minister
B) has the support of the Monarch
C) has the support of most of the premiers
D) leads the party that has the support of the House of Commons

Question 16

The activities of government are divided among a number of _______ such as justice, health, and national defence.

A) committees
B) cabinets
C) departments
D) agencies

Question 17

If an ordinary MP in the Canadian House of Commons feels compelled to vote along with his/her party, this would be an example of ________.

A) pressure politics
B) a day in the life of an MP
C) party discipline
D) political legitimacy

Question 18

A basic feature of parliamentary systems is the close interrelationship of Parliament (the legislative body) and the political executive that consists of the _____________.

A) president
B) Senate
C) House of Commons
D) prime minister and Cabinet

Question 19

Ordinary members of the House of Commons who are not in the Cabinet are termed ________.

A) Public members
B) Private members
C) Official members
D) Governor-general representatives

Question 20

In a ________ government the ability of the political executive to control the House of Commons will be limited, and negotiations with other parties will usually be necessary.

A) monarchical
B) executive
C) minority
D) majority

Question 21

Why is meant by a coalition government?

Question 22

What is a minority government?

Question 23

When Brian Mulroney was prime minister, the Liberal majority in the senate engaged in confrontation over important legislation including the Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement and ___________________.

A) electoral reform
B) the Goods and Services Tax
C) oil drilling in the Arctic
D) Right to Die legislation

Question 24

A majority government is one that received the majority of votes in an election.

Question 25

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) consists mainly loyal supporters of the prime minister.

Question 26

Justin Trudeau's first cabinet in 2015 featured 15 women and 15 men.

Question 27

Cabinet solidarity in the parliamentary system means that cabinet members will deliberate and discuss together on key governmental decisions.

Question 28

The members of the political executive in a Parliamentary system are themselves members of Parliament.

Question 29

What is the relationship between the legislative and executive branches of government in a parliamentary system?

Question 30

Describe House of Commons Committees and briefly explain their role. What are the four major central agencies in the Canadian government?

Question 31

Describe at least 2 important differences between Presidential and Parliamentary systems.

Question 32

The Privy Council Office is responsible for helping to shepherd government legislation through the Senate.

Question 33

The Senate is designed to provide equal regional representation to offset the representation by population in the __________.

A) Prime Minister's Office
B) House of Commons
C) Provincial legislatures
D) None of the above

Question 34

The person whose role is to enforce party discipline is the ___________.

A) whip
B) prime minister
C) privy council
D) Speaker of the House

Question 35

A Triple E Senate refers to one that is elected, effective and ________.

A) equal to the House of Commons
B) equally representative of each province
C) equally representative of French and English
D) equally representative of men and women

Question 36

The Westminster system heavily concentrates power in the hands of the prime minister and Cabinet.

Question 37

Justin Trudeau's proposed changes to the Senate include which of the following ideas?

A) senators elected for a nine-year term
B) appointing non-partisan provincial committees to nominate potential senators
C) abolishing the Senate
D) Triple-E Senate

Question 38

In a minority government situation, the cabinet is chosen to represent the different parties in the House of Commons.

Question 39

Government departments are headed by Ministers.

Question 40

The Prime Minister is the Head of State.

Question 41

What are some positive features of the system of party discipline?

Question 42

What are the pros and cons of Cabinet secrecy?

Question 43

Why do some argue that Canada needs Senate reform? What are some of the proposed changes?