Activity 3 page 2

 
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Explore

In this section, you have been exploring Canada's federal political system and governance. You have learned that the Prime Minister and Cabinet make important decisions within the executive branch. However, the executive branch is just one branch of the House of Commons.

The legislative branch also has an important role in the House of Commons. Members of Parliament, along with Senators and the Governor General, make up the legislative branch.

Each member of the legislative branch has a role. Being accountable to Canadians is perhaps the most important responsibility of elected members of the legislative branch.

Members of Parliament (MPs) and Senators have many expectations and roles in their positions.

In this task, you will discover how the representatives are chosen and what their roles are in the legislative branch.

Use the following resources to collect information. Record your notes in a graphic organizer of your choice.

Store your completed organizer in your Activities folder.


To learn more about Members of Parliament, use the following resources:

Read pages 27 and 29 of your textbook, Issues for Canadians.

Click on the following link to learn more information about the roles of Members of Parliament.

https://www.thoughtco.com/role-of-canadian-members-of-parliament-508449

To learn about Senators, use the following resources:

• 
  

  Read

  
  Read pages 31 and 32 of your textbook, Issues for Canadians.
  
  

Click on the following link to learn more information about the roles of Senators.

https://www.thoughtco.com/role-of-canadian-senators-508451

Members of Parliament and Senators are chosen differently. MPs are elected by citizens of Canada in federal elections, and Senators are selected or appointed by the prime minister.

Candidates for parliament generally run in an election under a political party name in their federal riding. If elected, the candidate becomes one of 338 Members of Parliament representing ridings from across Canada. The role of an MP is to be accountable, first to their constituents and then to the Parliament.

riding: a voting area that is represented by a Member of Parliament; a constituency

constituent: a citizen of a riding

Vocabulary

Record definitions for accountable (from the previous page), riding, and constituent on your Issues for Canadians Definitions handout that you saved to your Activities folder.

Remember to use these words where appropriate in your responses and activities to ensure that you understand the words and make them part of your own vocabulary.

Save your updated Issues for Canadians Definitions handout to your Activities folder.