Civics Terms and Definitions

common good: The well-being of all or most of the people in a community or society, as well as of components of the natural environment. Factors such as peace, justice, economic fairness, and respect for human rights and the environment contribute to the common good.

community/communities: A group of people who have shared histories, culture, beliefs, and/or values. Communities can also be identified on the basis of shared space, ethnicity, religion, and/or socio-economic status. A person may belong to more than one community (e.g., a school community, town, ethnic group, nation, etc.).

community-based organization (CBO): A community-based organization is representative of a community or a significant segment of a community, and is engaged in meeting human, educational, environmental, or public safety community needs.

confederation: The federal union of all of the Canadian provinces and territories

Conservative Party of Canada: A political party in Canada (sometimes called “the Tories”). It is positioned to the right of centre on the Canadian political spectrum.

constituency: The specific geographic area in Canada that a Member of Parliament represents in the House of Commons, also known as a riding or electoral district. In the House of Commons, the member is identified by the name of the riding rather than by his or her own name.

constitution:* A set of rules that define the political principles, the institutions, the powers, and the responsibilities of a state. The Canadian Constitution is made up of three elements: a written constitution, legislation, and an unwritten constitution (rules of common law and conventions). See also: Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms .

constitutional monarchy:* A form of government in which executive (Crown) powers are exercised by or on behalf of the sovereign and on the basis of ministerial advice. Canada is a constitutional monarchy.

culture: The customary beliefs, values, social forms, and material traits of an ethnic, religious, or social group.

democracy: A form of government in which laws are made by a direct vote of the citizens (direct democracy) or by representatives on their behalf (indirect democracy). In an indirect, or representative, democracy such as Canada, elected representatives vote on behalf of their constituents. A system of government in which citizens choose leaders by voting.

dictatorship: An extreme example of an autocratic system. The ruler (dictator) has absolute authority, and makes all decisions. He or she likely uses an army to hold power and carry out decisions.

election: The process of choosing a representative by vote. In a federal general election, the voters in each riding elect one representative to the House of Commons. The person who gets the most votes represents the riding. Generally, the party that has the most members elected forms the Government.

electoral district: Another word for a riding or constituency.

executive branch:* The branch of government that carries out the law; the Cabinet and ruling government that sit in the elected Chamber (House of Commons/ Legislature). Also referred to as “The Queen in Council.” See also: branches of government; judicial branch; legislative branch .

First Nations: First Nations Peoples are original inhabitants of Canada, who are neither Inuit nor Métis. First Nations is a term that encompasses many different nations across the country. Currently, there are 634 recognized First Nations communities with over 70 languages spoken from coast to coast.

first-past-the-post (FPTP) voting system: A voting system, used in Canada, in which the person with the most votes in a riding wins the seat for his or her political party. See also: voting system.

federal government: This level of government deals with areas of law listed in the Constitution Act, 1867, which generally affect the whole country.

federal system: A system of government in which several political jurisdictions form a unity, but retain autonomy in defined areas. The central or national government is called the federal government. Canada has a federal system of government.

fundamental freedoms: In Canada, everyone has the following fundamental freedoms: (a) freedom of conscience and religion; (b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication; (c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and (d) freedom of association.

government: The party with the most elected members in the House of Commons usually forms the Government. In the federal Government, the Prime Minister and the Cabinet determine priorities and policies, guide the legislation through the House of Commons, and ensure implementation. The Cabinet is responsible to Parliament. If the Government loses a major vote in the House, the Cabinet resigns.

Governor General:* The personal representative of the Queen, who acts on her behalf in performing certain duties. He/ she is appointed by the Queen (on the advice of the Prime Minister) to be her representative as Head of State in Canada. Acting on the advice of the Prime Minister, the Governor General calls and dissolves Parliament, reads the Speech from the Throne, gives Royal Assent to bills, and signs many other state documents. The Governor General receives diplomatic representatives and performs many ceremonial and social duties.

grassroots organization: Usually a notfor- profit organization run by the common or ordinary people, not by the upper class or elite of an organization. Often, Grassroots Support Organizations (GSOs) provide services and support to local groups of disadvantaged rural or urban households and individuals.

Green Party of Canada: A Canadian federal political party founded in 1983. The Greens support a broad multi-issue political platform that reflects its core values of ecological wisdom, social justice, grassroots democracy, and non-violence.

House: One of two large rooms in the Centre Block where proceedings of the House of Commons take place. Traditionally, the House of Commons is green. See also: Chamber.

House of Commons: The elected Lower House of Parliament is composed of 338 members representing all the ridings across Canada. Most of the laws passed by Parliament originate in the House of Commons. Members’ duties include representing constituents’ concerns, serving on committees, proposing legislation, participating in Commons debates, and discussing and amending bills. See also: legislature.

human rights: Human rights are universal rights, believed to belong justifiably to every person.

ideology: A set of related beliefs, ideas, and attitudes that characterize the thinking of a particular group or society.

Indian: This term is not often used as it no longer reflects or represents current values. Some Indigenous People still may use this word and can be a term of reclamation. Historically, it is a term that has been used to oppress or exclude Indigenous Peoples. “Indian” is still used in government classifications through Indian Act and thus is a legal definition used in Canada, which is how it will be used in this course. You should not use it unless you are referring to the specific designation under the Indian Act.

Indigenous: The term Indigenous is very similar to the term Aboriginal in that it encompasses First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. However, its distinction comes from the fact that it is used globally to describe people who were the original inhabitants of any region throughout the world. For example, Aborigines in Australia, the Māori in New Zealand, and the Sami People of Norway, Finland, and Sweden are all Indigenous Peoples in their respective regions. The term “Indigenous” can be made more specific by adding the territory that the people are from (for example, the Indigenous Peoples of Canada).

Inuit: The Inuit are Indigenous peoples from the Arctic and northern regions of Canada, Alaska, Russia, and Greenland. In Canada, Inuit populations descend from Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, the Yukon, Northern Quebec, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Like the Métis and First Nations Peoples, the Inuit have their own histories, traditions, languages, and lifestyle based on their Arctic and northern geography.

inquiry process: The process used to investigate civic issues, events, and developments; track down solutions to problems; reach supportable conclusions; and develop plans of action. The inquiry process has five basic components: formulating questions, gathering and organizing information; analyzing and interpreting information; evaluating and forming conclusions; and then communicating the findings or results. See also: political inquiry process.

judicial branch:* The branch of government that interprets the law – in other words, the courts. Also referred to as “The Queen in Banco” or “The Queen on the Bench.” See also: branches of government; executive branch; legislative branch .

legislation: The law or set of laws made by a government; also the action or process of making laws; and in Canada, the Acts passed by Parliament that eventually become the law.

legislative branch:* The branch of government that makes the laws – the Parliament of Canada and provincial and territorial legislatures. Also referred to as “The Queen in Parliament.” See also: branches of government; executive branch; judicial branch .

legislature:* The federal legislature (Parliament of Canada) consists of the Queen, the Senate, and the House of Commons. The provincial legislatures consist of the lieutenant governor and the elected house.

Liberal Party of Canada: Sometimes called by its nickname “the Grits,” it is the oldest federal political party in Canada. The party believes in the principles of liberalism, and generally sits at the centre of the Canadian political spectrum.

lobbyist: Individuals and groups who actively communicate with federal public office holders in order to try to influence government decisions. They are required under the Lobbyists Registration Act to register their activities, provide information on their clients and the subject matter of their lobbying activity, and adhere to standards of conduct for communicating with federal public office holders.

Métis: The Métis are a distinct Indigenous People with a unique history, culture, language, and territory that includes the waterways of Ontario, surrounds the Great Lakes and spans what was known as the historic Northwest. The Métis Nation is comprised of descendants of people born of relations between Indian women and European men. The initial offspring of these unions were of mixed ancestry. The genesis of a new Indigenous people called the Métis resulted from the subsequent intermarriage of these mixed-ancestry individuals.

municipal government: In Canada, one of the levels of government below that of the provinces. The Constitution gives the provinces jurisdiction over municipal affairs.

Native: Native is another term commonly used to describe Indigenous Peoples in both Canada and America, although it has been used less frequently in recent years. Native is a less specific term, as it sometimes is inclusive of all groups.

New Democratic Party of Canada: The NDP are a social-democratic party, meaning that they position themselves left of centre on the political spectrum. The NDP became a new federal political party in the early 1960s and Tommy Douglas, the “father of Medicare,” became the first leader.

non-governmental organization (NGO): An organization that operates independently of governments, typically providing a social or public service (e.g., Doctors Without Borders, Free the Children, Nature Conservancy of Canada). Typically, NGOs are non-profit-making, non-violent organizations that work to influence or complement government services and/or international organizations.

not-for-profit corporation (NFPC) or non-profit organization: A not-for-profit organization is a type of organization that does not earn profits for its owners.

objectives and results: The varied intended and unintended effects of civic policies or decisions on different groups of people. The political thinking concept of objectives and results is used to guide your analysis when you’re looking at the factors that lead to events, policies, decisions, and plans of civic importance. You can also use an objectivesand- results analysis to compare the initial purpose of a decision with its actual effect, so that you can see which results were intended and which were not.

political equality: Every citizen has the same right to vote and run for office, and to speak on public issues.

political inquiry process: The process used to investigate civic issues, events, and developments; track down solutions to problems; reach supportable conclusions; and develop plans of action. The inquiry process has five basic components: formulating questions, gathering and organizing information; analyzing and interpreting information; evaluating and forming conclusions; and then communicating your findings or results. See also: inquiry process.

political perspective: The political thinking concept of political perspective can be used to analyze the beliefs and values of various groups, including different governments, in local, national, and/or global communities.

political significance: The political thinking concept of political significance is used to guide your analysis when you want to understand which policies, issues, developments, or people are important today.

political thinking concepts: The concepts of political significance, objectives and results, political perspective, and stability and change can be used as ways of thinking about political inquiries and issues. Each concept gives you a different lens through which to view and filter your information, allowing you to look at issues and evidence in a number of different lights.

politics: The process that’s used to make formal, civic decisions.

primary sources: Artefacts and oral, print, media, or computer materials created during the period of time under study.

Prime Minister: The head of the government in a parliamentary democracy, including Canada. The Prime Minister is the leader of the party that is in power and that normally has the largest number of the seats in the House of Commons.

provincial government: In the 10 Canadian provinces, the provincial government is responsible for areas listed in the Constitution Act, 1867, such as education, health care, some natural resources, and road regulations. Sometimes, they share responsibility with the federal government. The three territories in Canada have their own governments, with responsibilities that are given to them by the federal government.

Queen: Canada’s Head of State is the Queen – Queen Elizabeth II – because Canada is a constitutional monarchy. All federal laws are enacted in the Queen’s name. Usually, the Governor General represents the Queen in Canada and performs the ceremonial duties of the Queen.

referendum: An electoral event in which voters (electors) are asked to answer “Yes” or “No” to a written question. Referendums are used by governments to consult citizens directly on specific issues. The most recent federal referendum was in 1992, involving a proposal to amend the Constitution. One of the most famous referendums in Canada was the one held in Quebec in 1995, in which voters decided that Quebec should remain a part of Canada.

responsible government: A government that is responsible to the people, based on the principle that governments must be responsible to the people’s representatives.

riding: Another word for constituency or electoral district.

rights: Entitlements recognized and protected by law.

rule of law: The fundamental constitutional principle that no governments or persons are above the law and that society is governed by laws that apply fairly to all people. In other words, citizens, leaders, and government are subject to the same known, predictable, and impartial laws.

secondary sources: sources of information that are a step removed from the original source. These are materials that describe, summarize, analyze, evaluate, are derived from, or are based on primary source materials. Such a source may provide criticism or interpretation of a primary source. Some examples include books, review articles, biographies, documentary films, music, art, and articles about people and events from the past.

Senate: The Upper House of Parliament is made up of appointed Senators. They examine and revise legislation; investigate national issues; and represent regional, provincial, and minority interests. The Senate also introduces its own bills, subject to certain constitutional limitations. Senate committees are frequently set up to examine specific social and economic issues in detail. See also: legislature.

Senator: In federal politics, a member of the Canadian Senate. He/she is a person appointed to the Upper House of Parliament by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. At present, these are 105 Senators representing different regions of Canada.

social justice: A concept based on the belief that each individual and group within a given society has a right to equal opportunity and civil liberties, and to exercise the social, educational, economic, institutional, and moral freedoms and responsibilities of that society.

social welfare programs: Government programs designed to help meet the personal, economic, emotional, and/or physical needs of citizens.

stability and change: The political thinking concept of stability and change can be used to examine how and why political institutions and government policies change over time or why they remain the same.

suffrage: The right to vote.

United Nations: An inter-governmental organization formed in 1945 to promote peace and economic development.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights: A document adopted by the United Nations in 1948 setting out the basic rights and freedoms of all people.

universal suffrage: The extension of the right to vote to all adult citizens.

Upper Chamber: One of two large rooms in the Centre Block where proceedings of the Senate take place. Traditionally, the Senate Chamber is red.

vote: To express a choice in order to reach a decision. In the Senate and House of Commons, members can vote either verbally or by standing in their places. In Canada, eligible citizens vote for their representatives by secret ballot.

voter turnout rates: The percentage of eligible voters who cast ballots in national elections.

voting: The act of expressing an opinion by a show of hands or ballot, usually with the intent of electing a candidate to office or passing a resolution.

voting system: The rules and processes by which governments are elected. Canada has a first-past-the-post voting system. See also: first-past-the-post (FPTP) voting system.