Question 1

Explain the consequences of cabinet solidarity and ministerial responsibility for the quality of Canadian democracy.

Accepted Answer

Because of Cabinet solidarity, even if a minister privately disagrees with a course of action or has played no direct role whatsoever in a particular policy or program, he or she is obligated to support the cabinet's decision (or, at a minimum, obligated to refrain from opposing it). This solidarity promotes strength, trust, and efficiency among cabinet ministers but also can frustrate constituents and backbenchers. The stark options (accept or resign) can lead to stifling dissenting opinions. The second convention, ministerial responsibility, holds that a minister is directly responsible for decisions taken in his or her portfolio, even if the minister had no personal knowledge of what transpired. This measure allows for accountability to the legislature but can also lead to politicization and disruption of the governing process by continuous calls for ministers to resign over administrative mistakes beyond their immediate knowledge and control.

Question 2

As it applies to responsible government in Canada, identify examples of matters of confidence.

Accepted Answer

Matters of confidence include votes on the budget and Speech from the Throne. Specific motions of non-confidence can also be attached as amendments to legislation.

Question 3

In Canada, which branch of government includes the public service bureaucracy?

Accepted Answer

A)  the judicial branch 
B)  the legislative branch 
C)  the executive branch 
D)  None of the above 
A)  the judicial branch 
B)  the legislative branch 
C)  the executive branch 
D)  None of the above C

Question 4

In Canada, women tend to be appointed as ministers for social matters such as health and education.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

Since the 1950s, appointments to the position of governor general have alternated between:

Accepted Answer

A)  men and women 
B)  different provinces 
C)  different regions 
D)  anglophones and francophones 
A)  men and women 
B)  different provinces 
C)  different regions 
D)  anglophones and francophones

Question 6

Identify the key aspects of the chief of staff's position in the PMO.

Accepted Answer

As the preeminent employee in the Prime

Question 7

Deputy ministers must be elected before assuming their position.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

What is a subgroup of cabinet members assigned to scrutinize a particular set of executive actions known as?

Accepted Answer

A)  cabinet committee 
B)  inner cabinet 
C)  shadow cabinet 
D)  None of the above 
A)  cabinet committee 
B)  inner cabinet 
C)  shadow cabinet 
D)  None of the above

Question 9

A central agency is a coordinating body that steers government business across all departments.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

Compare the roles of government departments and government agencies/boards/commissions.

Accepted Answer

Government departments are dee

Question 11

Which of the following offices is not occupied by the same person?

Accepted Answer

A)  the United Kingdom's monarch 
B)  Canada's head of state 
C)  Canada's head of government 
D)  Quebec's head of state 
A)  the United Kingdom's monarch 
B)  Canada's head of state 
C)  Canada's head of government 
D)  Quebec's head of state

Question 12

Members of the Conservative Party tend to defend the monarchy's role in Canadian democracy.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Regardless of the outcome of a general election, a prime minister remains head of government until the governor general appoints a replacement.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

In Canada, central agencies:

Accepted Answer

A)  are run entirely by partisan staff 
B)  report to the Minister of Justice 
C)  coordinate with line ministries to deliver on the government's agenda 
D)  All of the above 
A)  are run entirely by partisan staff 
B)  report to the Minister of Justice 
C)  coordinate with line ministries to deliver on the government's agenda 
D)  All of the above

Question 15

Canada's head of state is the king or queen holding the hereditary position of monarch.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

Which of the following statements is correct?

Accepted Answer

A)  The governor general selects the head of government on the advice of the prime minister. 
B)  The prime minister appoints the governor general on the advice of cabinet. 
C)  The governor general appoints the lieutenant governor on the advice of the premier. 
D)  All of the above 
A)  The governor general selects the head of government on the advice of the prime minister. 
B)  The prime minister appoints the governor general on the advice of cabinet. 
C)  The governor general appoints the lieutenant governor on the advice of the premier. 
D)  All of the above

Question 17

Define and briefly outline the purpose of the confidence convention.

Accepted Answer

The confidence convention is linked to t

Question 18

What are some of the major factors that go into deciding who is appointed to cabinet?

Accepted Answer

Members are generally drawn from the can

Question 19

Central agencies exist at the provincial and territorial level but not the federal level.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

Which of the following is not one of the many duties of the head of government in Canada?

Accepted Answer

A)  Reading the Speech from the Throne 
B)  Fielding inquiries during Question Period 
C)  Meeting with international and domestic counterparts in private and during summits 
D)  Publicly explaining the government's decisions and positions on issues 
A)  Reading the Speech from the Throne 
B)  Fielding inquiries during Question Period 
C)  Meeting with international and domestic counterparts in private and during summits 
D)  Publicly explaining the government's decisions and positions on issues

Explain the consequences of cabinet solidarity and ministerial responsibility for the quality of Canadian democracy.

As it applies to responsible government in Canada, identify examples of matters of confidence.

In Canada, which branch of government includes the public service bureaucracy?

In Canada, women tend to be appointed as ministers for social matters such as health and education.

Since the 1950s, appointments to the position of governor general have alternated between:

Identify the key aspects of the chief of staff's position in the PMO.

Deputy ministers must be elected before assuming their position.

What is a subgroup of cabinet members assigned to scrutinize a particular set of executive actions known as?

A central agency is a coordinating body that steers government business across all departments.

Compare the roles of government departments and government agencies/boards/commissions.

Which of the following offices is not occupied by the same person?

Members of the Conservative Party tend to defend the monarchy's role in Canadian democracy.

Regardless of the outcome of a general election, a prime minister remains head of government until the governor general appoints a replacement.

In Canada, central agencies:

Canada's head of state is the king or queen holding the hereditary position of monarch.

Which of the following statements is correct?

Define and briefly outline the purpose of the confidence convention.

What are some of the major factors that go into deciding who is appointed to cabinet?

Central agencies exist at the provincial and territorial level but not the federal level.

Which of the following is not one of the many duties of the head of government in Canada?

Overview of Canadian Politics

The Constitution

Federalism

Regionalism and Political Cultures

The Legislature

The Justice System

Public Policy and the Bureaucracy

Political Parties

Elections and Voting

Media and Communication

Interest Groups and Social Movements

Diversity and Representation

Canada in the World

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Exam 5: The Executive

Explain the consequences of cabinet solidarity and ministerial responsibility for the quality of Canadian democracy.

As it applies to responsible government in Canada, identify examples of matters of confidence.

In Canada, which branch of government includes the public service bureaucracy?

In Canada, women tend to be appointed as ministers for social matters such as health and education.

Since the 1950s, appointments to the position of governor general have alternated between:

Identify the key aspects of the chief of staff's position in the PMO.

Deputy ministers must be elected before assuming their position.

What is a subgroup of cabinet members assigned to scrutinize a particular set of executive actions known as?

A central agency is a coordinating body that steers government business across all departments.

Compare the roles of government departments and government agencies/boards/commissions.

Which of the following offices is not occupied by the same person?

Members of the Conservative Party tend to defend the monarchy's role in Canadian democracy.

Regardless of the outcome of a general election, a prime minister remains head of government until the governor general appoints a replacement.

In Canada, central agencies:

Canada's head of state is the king or queen holding the hereditary position of monarch.

Which of the following statements is correct?

Define and briefly outline the purpose of the confidence convention.

What are some of the major factors that go into deciding who is appointed to cabinet?

Central agencies exist at the provincial and territorial level but not the federal level.

Which of the following is not one of the many duties of the head of government in Canada?

Overview of Canadian Politics

The Constitution

Federalism

Regionalism and Political Cultures

The Legislature

The Justice System

Public Policy and the Bureaucracy

Political Parties

Elections and Voting

Media and Communication

Interest Groups and Social Movements

Diversity and Representation

Canada in the World

Filters