Key Term:

Meaning:

Executive Branch: The executive branch includes: the Monarch, who is represented in
Canada by the Governor General, the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. The members of the
executive branch are the decision makers of Parliament; they implement the laws. The legislative
branch, on the other hand, makes the laws.
Public or Civil Service: A civil servant or public servant is a person in the public sector
employed for a government department or agency. The extent of civil servants of a state as part
of the "civil service" varies from country to country.
Legislative Branch: The legislative branch includes: the Monarch (represented in Canada by
the Governor General), the Senate, whose members are appointed by the Governor General on
the advice of the Prime Minister, and the House of Commons, whose members are elected by
voters.
Leader of the Opposition: Leader of the party with the second most number of seats in the
house of commons.
Bill: Draft of a proposed law given to parliament for discussion
Judicial Branch: The judicial branch is made up of the courts and interprets the laws to
sentence people or make rulings.
Riding: It is an area that is to elect a member of parliament to represent them in the house of
commons
Political Party:Political party is an alliance of like minded people that work together to win
elections and control the government
Caucus: Meeting of members of a political party or legislative body to select candidates or
decide policy.
Cabinet Solidarity: Is a principle of collective responsibility. "this means that in the privacy of
cabinet they can say what they want but publicly they must defend the government's decisions

Responsible Government: Is a government that is responsible to the people. This means that
they make decisions of all the cabinet members input.
Party Platform:Is a government that is responsible to the people. This means that theymake
decisions of all the cabinet members input.
Representation By Population: Is a method by which seats are allocated in the House of
Commons in such a way as to vary with population. The higher the population of a province, the
larger the number of seats allocated to that province will be.
Riding or Constituency: An electoral district in Canada, also known as a "constituency" or a
"riding", is a geographical constituency upon which Canada's representative democracy is based.
By-Election: An election to fill a vacancy arising during a term of office
Prime Minister:The head of an elected government the principal minister of a sovereign or
state.
Cabinet:A cabinet is a body of high!ranking state officials, typically consisting of the top leaders
of the executive branch. They are usually called ministers, but in some jurisdictions are
sometimes called secretaries.