Prime Minister

the head of the government in Canada

Governor General

the Queen=s representative in Canada

House of Commons

the Lower House of Parliament, made up of 301 elected Members

Senate

the Upper House of Parliament, made up of 105 people appointed by the Governor General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister

Cabinet

a group of ministers chosen by the Prime Minister to head the various ministries within the government

Cabinet Shuffle

a change in the composition of the Cabinet either by adding or removing ministers or by changing their portfolios

July 01, 1867

the day the Dominion of Canada or Confederation came into existence

Speaker of the House

keeps the House in order and following the parliamentary rules and procedures

Question Period

opportunity during each sitting day of the House for questions from Members (mainly from the Opposition) to the Prime Minister and the ministers

Election

opportunity for Canadian citizens, 18 years and older to vote for the party and persons they want to represent them in the House of Commons

Constituency

one of 301 areas that the country is divided into for the purpose of holding an election

John A. MacDonald

Canada=s first Prime Minister

National Anthem of Canada

O Canada

Suffragettes

women who fought to gain the right to vote

1960

the year the Aboriginal people of Canada were given the right to vote

Speech from the Throne

formal address on the policies of the government at the opening of a new Parliament

Voter=s List

list of Canadian citizens who are eligible to vote in a particular constituency

Jean Chrétien

Prime Minister of Canada at the present time