Section 2 Glossary
Unit 1: Section 2: Canada's Federal Political System
Section 2 Glossary
accountable: responsible; requiring that one can explain his or her actions
constituent: a citizen of a riding
equity: the ability for individuals and groups to have the same opportunities
freedom: the right for people to think and speak as they wish
judicial branch:
the part of government that interprets and applies the law by making final legal judgments
justice: the fair treatment of individuals and groups
lobby group: an interest or pressure group that tries to influence government decisions
majority government: one party has more than half of the seats in the House of Commons
minority government:
a situation in which the party that forms the government wins the most seats but does not win the majority (fifty percent or more) of the seats
official opposition party: the
political party with the second-most seats in the House of Commons
political party: a group of people who hold a similar political perspective
puisne: ranked after or below the Chief Justice; an associate judge
riding: a
voting area that is represented by a Member of Parliament; a constituency
representation: the process where citizens have designated or elected
persons (such as elected officials) to speak on their behalf
watchdog: a person, group, or organization that promotes government accountability