Social Review Questions Chapter 6. Provincial Government

Transcription

1 Social Review Questions Chapter 6 Provincial Government

2 Chapter 6 Provincial Government Key Vocabulary Referendum a vote held on a specific issue or law proposed by the government. An example of direct democracy Subsidies funds the government provides to those who need help to participate in a program Bill a proposed or suggested law Cabinet minister an elected representative who is in charge of a provincial government department Constitutional Monarchy a system of government with a king or queen as head of state Act a bill that has passed by the legislative assembly and signed into law by the Lieutenant Governor Speech from the throne a speech describing the government s plans for the upcoming session of the Legislature Lieutenant Governor Members of the Legislative assembly MLA Premier leader of the party with the most elected seats in the legislature Constituents people who live in the area represented by a member of government Constituency a voting district or riding Riding a voting district, constituency Political Party an organization of people with similar ideas about how to govern Candidate a person who is running for the first time in an election for a seat in government Opposition member a member of the parties with a minority of seats in government Incumbent a person who has already won a seat in an election and is chosing to run for that seat again Perspective a point of view shared by a group. Focus Questions List 20 services of the provincial government. Education Healthcare Provincial Highway Policing Provincial highways

3 Agriculture Children s services Aboriginal Relations Tourism and Parks Natural Resource Management Seniors Energy What are the two largest expenditures in the province of Alberta? Education 26.9% and Healthcare 37% How are laws made at the provincial government? MLA introduces bill first reading MLA s and public have opinions on bill improvement Second reading Debate on the bill Third reading Signed into ACT buy Lieutenant Governor How are representatives chosen for the provincial government? Electoral Process voting in What is the role of a cabinet minister in the provincial government? Must first be elected as an MLA for a riding or constituency Chosen by Premier to serve in a special portfolio called a Cabinet Ministry Listen to constituents regarding concerns with government services Make sure budget is balanced and approved for particular ministry and be accountable for that Advise the premier There are currently how many seats/ridings, constituencies in the province of Alberta? 87 How does one become a candidate in a provincial election? One becomes a member of a political party, runs for leader of that party in the constituency or riding. Runs in the election, wins the majority of votes What is a political party? A group of people who share the same ideas as to how a government shoud be run. What steps does one have to go through to cast a vote in an election? Be on the voter s list (be a citizen and resident in the riding) Register at the polling station, Fill in a ballot Present the ballot for counting in the ballot box Who is the Queen s representative in the province of Alberta? Lieutenant Governor What is the role of the Queen s representative? (4 points at least) Read the speech from the throne Invite the leader who wins the most seats in an election to become the premier Issues royal proclamation that calls the Legislature into session Dissolves or closes the Legislative Assembly so an election can be held

4 Signs bills/motions into law What is the role and responsibilities of a cabinet minister? Meet with Premier to decide what must be done in the province Work with people running the department Create a budget for ministry revenues and expenditures Research, write and vote on bills Work on planning committees with MLA s to discuss government plans and actions Serve as MLA for their constituency Draw and outline of the structure of the Alberta Government. Lieutenant Governor Queen s Representative in constitutional Monarchy Premier, leader of the government Cabinet, responsible for departments and services Legislative assembly What are the responsibilities of an MLA? Help constituents get government services Meet with special interest groups working on issues like, environment, child care and impaired driving. Keep informed about issues in constituency Attend constituency events and celebrations Seek opinion of constituents about government programs Introduce, debate and vote on bills Bring concerns of constituents to ministries for discussion. What are the differences between the responsibilities of an MLA and a Cabinet Minster? All serve as MLA Cabinet Ministers Meet with Premier to decide what must be done in the province Work with people running the department Create a budget for ministry revenues and expenditures Research, write and vote on bills Work on planning committees with MLA s to discuss government plans and actions What is an opposition member? A member of the party that did not win the most seats in the Legislature How is a premier chosen? He is first chosen as the leader of the party to which he belongs He is elected as an MLA His Party wins the majority of seats in the election How is the leader of the opposition chosen?

5 He is first chosen as the leader of the party to which he belongs He is elected as an MLA He is the leader of the party with the second most number of seats in the Legislature.

6 Chpt. 6: How Provincial Government Works Pg Name: KEY Date: A C A B I N E T M I N I S T E R E C G U I B D O R E F E R E N D U M S G A U N I G U C H L C S C P R E M I E R B P O L I T I C A L P A R T Y U T S N E O T I L I S E T I T T C C O N F E D E R A T I O N O U U A E I B H U N L E Y R N P E R S P E C T I V E I N E D U L T A I F E D E R A L S N D N H D A A C E F T C O N S T I T U T I O N A L M O N A R C H Y B O W E N T E L O O P P O S I T I O N T D T H R O N E

7 Social Studies Chapter 6 Provincial Government Samil is following the campaign for the upcoming provincial election. Samil notices that the campaigns for the provincial election candidates that represent political parties are much more elaborate than those who are running as independent candidates. Some provincial candidates have very professional looking signs and brochures, host 'Meet the candidate' BBQ's and travel extensively around their constituency during their campaigns. The independent candidates just don't seem to have the same resources. Samil wonders why this disparity exists. 1. A grade 6 Social Studies student can explain to Samil that: A) Candidates representing a political party have some of their campaign costs supported by political party donations. B) Independent candidates have little chance of winning a constituency so they choose not to waste money on campaign items. C) Independent candidates usually run with campaign platforms focused on reforming the government and therefore make a point of not running showy campaigns like the other candidates. D) Members of the Legislative Assembly are paid only a modest salary on which they could not repay the costs of an elaborate campaign. QuickTime and a decompressor are needed to see this picture. 2.The provincial government is responsible for providing these services because these are issues that: A) affect the entire province. B) the taxpayers believe are important and have agreed to fund.

8 C) the federal government refuses to deal with. D) are unique to a specific province and aren't as important elsewhere. 3. Which of the following diagrams most correctly shows the structure and hierarchy of the Provincial Legislature? A B C D QuickTime and a decompressor are needed to see this picture. QuickTime and a decompressor are needed to see this picture. QuickTime and a decompressor are needed to see this picture. QuickTime and a decompressor are needed to see this picture. 4. Which of the following sets correctly identifies three responsibilities of the municipal government? A) post office, local police, and snow removal B) highways, snow removal, and garbage collection C) hospitals, education, and water supply D) fire fighters, snow removal, and public transit QuickTime and a decompressor are needed to see this picture. 5.The above diagram can best be described as how laws are made A) at all levels of government in Canada. B) by local Canadian governments. C) by the provincial governments of Canada. D) by the Canadian federal government. 6. What steps (in order) must an individual go through if they want to become an elected member of government?

9 A) They have to get a nomination, win an election, and win a debate B) They have to get a nomination, campaign for the position, and win an election C) They have to win an election, campaign for the position, and get a nomination D) They simply have to voice an opinion Four students are having a discussion about who represents the Queen in the Provincial Legislature: Nathaniel: "The person who represents the Queen in the Legislature is the Minister of Arts and Culture because the Queen has no political power anymore, but is a big supporter of arts and culture both in Canada and other Commonwealth countries around the world." Marianne: "The person who represents the Queen in the Provincial Legislature is the Premier. The Premier is the leader of the provincial government and therefore, as the highest ranking member of the province also represents the Queen for the province." Oliver: "The person who represents the Queen in the Provincial Legislature is the Governor-General. The Governor-General is the representative of the Queen in Canada and its provinces." Peter: "The person who represents the Queen in the Provincial Legislature is the Lieutenant-Governor, who is appointed by the Prime Minister." 7. Which student above is most accurate about who represents the Queen at the provincial level? A) Nathaniel B) Marianne

10 C) Oliver D) Peter Mrs. Alexander asks her Grade 6 class to discuss the question: "Why must bills passed by the Legislative Assembly be signed by the Lieutenant-Governor in order for them to become law?" Trevor says: "It is sort of a safeguard so that the Premier can't just make up laws without the approval of anyone else in the Legislature. The Lieutenant- Governor signs the bills to show that they have the support of the majority of the members of the Legislative Assembly." Linda says: "The Lieutenant-Governor is the head of the provincial government so he (or she) is the only one with the authority to create a new law for the province." Cal says: "The Lieutenant-Governor has to sign bills to make them law because Canada is a constitutional monarchy and, as such, all new laws must be approved by the monarch, who, at the provincial level, is represented by the Lieutenant-Governor." 8. Which of the students is/are correct? A) Trevor B) Cal

11 C) Linda D) Linda and Cal This member of the provincial government describes his job as: "I am an elected member of the provincial government who participates in the provincial government, serves the needs of my constituents, and also oversees a department which coordinates and provides a service for which the provincial government is responsible." 9. The MOST accurate job title for this member of the provincial government would be: A) Member of Legislative Assembly B) Cabinet Minister C) Member of Parliament D) Lieutenant-Governor 10. Canada is a bilingual country. To uphold this policy, Canadian students are taught English and French in schools. This is an example of: A) A local government responsibility upholding a local government policy. B) A local government responsibility upholding a provincial government policy. C) A federal government responsibility upholding a provincial government policy. D) A provincial government responsibility upholding a federal government policy. QuickTime and a decompressor are needed to see this picture.

12 11.The best title for this chart would be "Responsibilities of the ". A) Local Government B) Provincial Government C) Federal Government D) Municipal Government 13.What is the primary reason why candidates for public office conduct campaigns before elections? A) To show they have enough money to hold public office. B) To show they understand marketing techniques and information technology. C) To show they are most capable of helping voters to meet their needs. D) To show that their opponents are untrustworthy and incompetent. An MLA thinks that people should not talk or text on a cellphone while they drive. After sitting on an advisory committee to study this issue, the MLA decides that all of the information and studies she examined confirm that talking or texting while driving causes accidents. She also found that many residents support a ban on talking or texting on a cellphone while driving. 14. To get a 'talking or texting on a cellphone while driving' ban made into a law, the MLA can: A) ask the Lieutenant-Governor and Premier to make it a law for the province.

13 B) introduce the proposed ban as a bill in the Legislative Assembly and see if other MLA's support her idea. C) organize community action groups to lobby their local governments so that many cities in the province will create bylaws against talking and texting on a cellphone while driving. D) petition the federal government to have a 'talking or texting on cellphones while driving' ban added to the Provincial Constitution. 15. What is the duty of a legislative assembly? A) To make laws. B) To administer roads. C) To appoint senators. D) To critique the Prime Minister. Jason is studying provincial government in his Grade 6 class. As a homework assignment, he needs to interpret the results of the 1989 Alberta provincial election. The table below shows the results of that election: Name of Political Party Number of Seats Won Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta 59 Alberta New Democrat Party 16 Alberta Liberal Partt 8 Alberta Social Credit Party 0

14 Communist Party of Alberta 0 Independent Candidates Below are four of the statements Jason included in his assignment. Which of them is false, based on the data provided above? A) The provincial government was made up by the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta. B) The Opposition was made up of members of the Alberta New Democratic Party, the Alberta Liberal Party, the Alberta Social Credit Party, the Communist Party of Alberta, and independent candidates. C) The Alberta New Democratic Party was the Official Opposition. D) The Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta won the majority of the seats in the Legislative Assembly. 17. How is the Premier of a Canadian province chosen? A) Those interested in serving as Premier run in the election and are voted for by all eligible voters in the province. B) They are recommended by the Prime Minister and appointed by the Governor-General. C) The person who becomes the Premier is the election candidate who won the greatest percentage of votes in the provincial election. D) The person who becomes Premier is the provincial leader of the political party which holds the most seats in the Legislative Assembly by having the most members elected to serve as MLA's. - Leader of the Provincial Government. - Leader of the political party that won the most seats in the Legislative Assembly. - Member of a provincially recognized political party. - Representative of a provincial electoral district (constituency).

15 - Holds the position of Member of Legislative Assembly. 18. The name of the position with the characteristics described above is: A) Speaker of the House B) Premier C) Lieutenant-Governor D) Cabinet Minister 19. The Legislative Assembly is based on a democratic, political party system and has a fixed number of seats. Each of the seats of the Legislative Assembly belongs to: A) Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) who has won the right to represent a certain area within the province. B) the winning political party. C) the Executive Council; the Premier and the Cabinet Ministers. D) hired government staff who help carry out the directions of the Cabinet Ministers. 20. Which of the following sets correctly identifies three responsibilities of the provincial government? A) trade, highways, and hospitals B) education, hospitals, and garbage collection C) hospitals, education, and highways D) postal service, licenses, and fire fighters Diane is a member of the Eco-Action Party, a recognized political party in her province, and she would like to run for a seat as an MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly) in the upcoming provincial election. 21. For Diane to be eligible to run in the upcoming provincial election she must: A) ask the Premier to appoint her as a candidate. B) win the majority of the seats in her constituency. C) raise $20,000 in campaign funding money before she can apply to run. D) be nominated by the Eco-Action Party to run as a candidate in the election.

16 Monday: Meet with a seniors advocacy group about how the cost of living increases are affecting seniors on a fixed income. Make a presentation at a seniors lodge about government programs for seniors and how to access them. TuesdayDevote day to researching and writing a private member bill to be introduced into the Legislature at a session next month. WednesdayFly to the capital to attend a session of the Legislature. Listen to and debate second reading of a bill. ThursdayMeet with Premier to discuss agenda for the winter sitting of the Legislative Assembly. Spend some time in office responding to faxes, phone calls, s, and letters from the media, constituents, and citizens. Friday Finalize details of department budget, authorize spending, and prepare for press conference where budget details will be released and discussed. Press release at 2 pm. 22. Based on all of this information, Gerald's job can most accurately be described as: A) Cabinet Minister. B) MLA. C) Advocate of the province. D) Government research assistant or intern. 23. The presence of the Lieutenant-Governor in the Legislative Assembly reflects Canada's: A) history as a French colony. B) role as a British administered Commonwealth country. C) desire to shed its link to Britain and become a republic. D) colonial past and the influence of the British Parliamentary system on Canada's government.

17 - Determine government policies and services. - Represent and advocate for constituents. - Manage a provincial government department. - Introduce and draft bills and legislation. - Attend meetings or deal with issues that have to do with the ministry overseen. - Create and administer a budget for ministry overseen. - Travel to help promote overseen ministry. - Meet and confer with peers to exchange ideas and coordinate services. - Attend sessions of the Legislative Assembly. 24. The above list of responsibilities is that of a: A) Member of the Legislative Assembly. B) Human Resources Specialist. C) Chief Executive Officer. D) Provincial Cabinet Minister. 25. The Queen's representative at the provincial level is called: A) The Governor General B) The Lieutenant Governor C) The Premier D) The Provincial Governor - Reads the Throne Speech. - Opens, discontinues, and dissolves sessions of the Legislative Assembly. - Gives Royal Assent to proposed laws which pass the third reading. - Does not belong to a political party and is not involved in debate or discussion in the Legislative Assembly. - Represents the monarch.

18 26. The title given to the member of the provincial government with the role described above is: A) Leader of the Official Opposition. B) Premier. C) Lieutenant-Governor. D) Speaker of the House. 27.Which of the following statements about elections is false? Most candidates in provincial elections: A) represent one of the political parties. B) create an election platform which addresses the concerns and needs of the voters in their constituency. C) are independents. D) live in the province where they are campaigning. 28. A provincial Cabinet Minister is NOT : A) also an MLA. B) in charge of helping create and administer a budget for a department of the provincial government. C) elected by voters to serve as a Cabinet Minister. D) an overseer of one of the provincial departments which coordinates and provides a service to residents. 29. What service do lieutenant-governors provide for their province's residents in Canada? A) They represent the Prime Minister in provincial government. B) They represent the Lieutenant-General in provincial government. C) They represent the Queen of England in provincial government. D) They represent the constituents who elected them. 30. An elected member of the Legislative Assembly is the representative of citizens in a A) federal constituency. B) provincial constituency.

19 C) school district. D) small Canadian town. 31. Provincial governments in Canada are responsible for A) street lighting and sidewalks. B) health care and education. C) armed forces and currency. D) postal services and nurses. 32. Which level of government is responsible for education? A) federal B) provincial C) family D) municipal The mayor of Oilburg thinks that his city needs some new roads. Because of oil and natural gas deposits nearby, the city had been growing rapidly in both size and population and the city really needs a new expressway to deal with the large amount of traffic moving around the city each day. 33. Where is it most likely that the mayor of Oilburg will get the money that he needs to build a new expressway? A) Local and provincial levels of government. B) The federal government. C) Fundraisers held in Oilburg. D) Donations from corporations in Oilburg that would benefit from better roads. 34. Bob spends an evening going from door to door in his neighbourhood to try to convince people to vote for a particular candidate. Bob's actions are most accurately described as:

20 A) petitioning B) campaigning C) demonstrating D) lobbying 35. How does the provincial government obtain enough revenue (money coming into the provincial budget) to be able to cover it's expenditures (money being spent) to provide residents with the sort of programs and services shown in the above diagram? A) From the federal government's budget. B) From tourists coming to see the Rocky Mountains. C) Through a Provincial Service Tax (PST). D) Through taxing those who work and income collected from provincially owned resources. 36. The royalties the provincial government receives from oil and gas exploration are important to average Alberta residents because A) all residents are employed either directly or indirectly by oil companies. B) they make up some of the revenue that the government uses run programs and services. C) without money from oil and gas royalties, resident's wouldn't get 'prosperity' bonus cheques from the government. D) they are the only source of income for the provincial government.