Key terms

Executive Branch: The executive branch is the part of the government that has its
authority and responsibility for the daily administration of the state.
Public or Civil Service: A civil servant or public servant is a person in the public sector
employed for a government department or agency
Legislative Branch: The legislative branch is the part of the United States government
that creates laws
Leader of the Opposition: The Leader of the Opposition is a title traditionally held by
the leader of the largest party not in government in a Westminster System of parliamentary
government
Bill: a draft of a proposed law presented to parliament for discussion
Judicial Branch: The judicial branch is one of three branches of the federal government
Riding: 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. It is
officially known in Canadian French as a circonscription, but frequently called a comt (county)
Political Party: A political party is an organization of people which seeks to achieve goals
common to its members through the acquisition and exercise of political power
Caucus: a meeting of the members of a legislative body who are members of a particular
political party, to select candidates or decide policy
Cabinet Solidarity: Cabinet solidarity means that all members of cabinet must support

cabinet decisions
Responsible Government: Responsible government refers to a government that
is responsible to the people
Party Platform: A political party platform or platform is a list of the values and actions
which are supported by a political party or individual candidate, in order to appeal to the general
public, for the ultimate purpose of garnering the general public's support and votes about
complicated topics or issues
Representation By Population: Representation by Population (Rep. by Pop.) is a
method by which seats are allocated in the House of Commons in such a way as to vary
with population

Riding or Constituency: An electoral district (also known as a constituency, riding, ward,

division, electoral area or electorate) is a territorial subdivision for electing members to a
legislative body
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 body of advisers to the president, composed of the heads of the executive
departments of the government