What is the primary legislative body in Canada?
a) House of Commons
b) Senate
c) Provincial Legislatures
d) Municipal Councils
Answer: a
The Canadian Senate is composed of how many senators?
a) 100
b) 338
c) 1867
d) 50
Answer: a
Which of the following is NOT a role of the Senate in the Canadian Parliament?
a) Passing bills related to government spending
b) Providing “sober second thought” to legislation
c) Representing the provinces equally
d) Introducing money bills
Answer: d
The process of reforming the Canadian Senate is often associated with efforts to make it more what?
a) Accountable and transparent
b) Powerful than the House of Commons
c) Biased towards urban interests
d) Appointed by the Prime Minister
Answer: a
Which province has had a long-standing call for the “Triple-E” Senate: Equal, Elected, and Effective?
a) Ontario
b) Quebec
c) Alberta
d) British Columbia
Answer: c
What is the main argument against Senate reform through constitutional amendments?
a) It would make the Senate more accountable.
b) It would undermine the federal-provincial balance.
c) It would reduce the number of senators.
d) It would make the Senate elected.
Answer: b
What is the process called when the Prime Minister recommends individuals to the Governor General for appointment to the Senate?
a) Nomination by Party Leaders
b) Electoral college
c) By-election
d) Patronage appointments
Answer: d
In Canada, who holds the power to appoint senators to the Senate?
a) Provincial Premiers
b) The Prime Minister
c) The Speaker of the House of Commons
d) Municipal Mayors
Answer: b
How long do senators serve in Canada?
a) Until they retire
b) Until they are defeated in a general election
c) Until the Prime Minister appoints new ones
d) Until they reach the age of 75
Answer: d
What is the concept of “intergenerational equity” in the context of Senate reform?
a) Ensuring that future generations have an equal say in Senate appointments
b) Giving more power to younger senators
c) Prioritizing the interests of older senators
d) Ensuring senators represent a broad range of age groups
Answer: a
Which of the following is NOT a proposed method of Senate reform in Canada?
a) Elected Senate
b) Appointed Senate
c) Abolishing the Senate
d) Regional Senate
Answer: b
What does the “Triple-E” Senate proposal call for?
a) Equal representation for all provinces
b) Elected senators only
c) Effective governance of the Senate
d) Expanded powers for the Senate
Answer: a
Which province has taken steps to establish its own Senate appointment process?
a) British Columbia
b) Alberta
c) Ontario
d) Quebec
Answer: b
What is the main argument for maintaining the current appointed Senate system?
a) It is a more democratic approach.
b) It prevents partisan politics in the Senate.
c) It ensures regional representation.
d) It increases the power of the Prime Minister.
Answer: c
The Canadian Senate is often criticized for its lack of what characteristic?
a) Gender diversity
b) Political power
c) Regional representation
d) French-speaking members
Answer: a
Which constitutional amendment process is typically required for significant Senate reform?
a) Unanimity of all provinces and federal government
b) Consent of the Senate itself
c) Majority vote of the provinces and federal government
d) Approval of the House of Commons
Answer: a
Which province has held a referendum on Senate reform?
a) Manitoba
b) British Columbia
c) Alberta
d) Saskatchewan
Answer: b
In recent years, what has been the main method of Senate appointments in Canada?
a) Appointments made by provincial premiers
b) Elected by the public
c) Appointments made by municipal councils
d) Appointments made by the Prime Minister
Answer: d
Which of the following is a reason some argue against an elected Senate in Canada?
a) It would lead to a more accountable Senate.
b) It would create conflicts between senators.
c) It would make the Senate less representative.
d) It would undermine the Prime Minister’s power.
Answer: c
What is a potential consequence of Senate reform on the federal-provincial balance in Canada?
a) It would strengthen federal government power.
b) It would weaken federal government power.
c) It would have no impact on the balance.
d) It would make provinces more independent.
Answer: b
Which Canadian political leader strongly advocated for Senate reform during his time in office?
a) Pierre Trudeau
b) Jean Chrétien
c) Stephen Harper
d) Paul Martin
Answer: c
The “triple-E” proposal for Senate reform includes all of the following except:
a) Equal representation for all provinces
b) Elected senators
c) Effective legislative power for the Senate
d) Appointed senators
Answer: d
Which province was the first to establish an elected Senate nominee system?
a) British Columbia
b) Alberta
c) Manitoba
d) Ontario
Answer: b
What is the main argument against Senate reform through constitutional amendments?
a) It would make the Senate more accountable.
b) It would undermine the federal-provincial balance.
c) It would increase the power of the Prime Minister.
d) It would lead to regional imbalances.
Answer: b
The concept of an “appointed Senate” refers to senators being appointed by:
a) Provincial premiers
b) Municipal mayors
c) The Prime Minister
d) The public through elections
Answer: c
What is the “7/50” rule proposed for Senate reform?
a) Senators must retire at age 75 or after serving 50 years.
b) Senators must retire at age 50 or after serving 7 years.
c) Senators must be at least 50 years old to be appointed.
d) Senators must be at least 7 years of age.
Answer: a
Which of the following is a proposed method to achieve an elected Senate without a constitutional amendment?
a) Regional Senate
b) Triple-E Senate
c) Senate nominee elections
d) Abolishing the Senate
Answer: c
What is the role of the Senate in the legislative process?
a) To introduce money bills
b) To propose constitutional amendments
c) To provide oversight and review of legislation
d) To choose the Prime Minister
Answer: c
What is a key argument against Senate reform through constitutional amendments?
a) It would be too expensive to implement.
b) It would undermine the principle of responsible government.
c) It would require provinces to surrender power to the federal government.
d) It would make the Senate too powerful.
Answer: c
The Alberta Senate nominee elections are an example of a province’s attempt to achieve Senate reform without what?
a) Federal approval
b) Public support
c) Consultation with the Prime Minister
d) Provincial legislation
Answer: a
What is the main argument for Senate reform through constitutional amendments?
a) It would be a faster process than the other methods.
b) It would ensure provinces have equal representation.
c) It would give the federal government more power.
d) It would make the Senate fully elected.
Answer: b
The idea of having an “appointed Senate” means that:
a) Senators are chosen by the Prime Minister.
b) Senators are elected by the public.
c) Senators are nominated by provincial premiers.
d) Senators are chosen by municipal councils.
Answer: a
In recent years, what role has the Canadian Senate played in the passage of government bills?
a) Blocking most government bills
b) Rejecting all government bills
c) Amending government bills
d) Passing government bills without changes
Answer: c
What does “sober second thought” refer to in the context of the Senate?
a) Senators must abstain from voting on certain bills.
b) Senators have the power to review and amend legislation.
c) Senators are required to attend sessions with clear minds.
d) Senators have the power to reject all legislation.
Answer: b
Which of the following is a critique of the Canadian Senate’s current appointment process?
a) It lacks regional representation.
b) It is too powerful.
c) It has too many elected members.
d) It is not transparent.
Answer: d
What is the “Triple-E” reform proposal for the Canadian Senate?
a) Equal, Elected, and Effective Senate
b) Elected, Efficient, and Empowered Senate
c) Exclusive, Equal, and Experienced Senate
d) Efficient, Egalitarian, and Engaged Senate
Answer: a
The Senate Reform Act, passed in 2014, introduced which method of Senate reform?
a) Elected Senate
b) Appointed Senate
c) Abolishing the Senate
d) Requiring the Prime Minister to consult with provinces
Answer: a
What is the primary argument against the “Triple-E” Senate reform proposal?
a) It would be too expensive to implement.
b) It would make the Senate too powerful.
c) It would not achieve true regional representation.
d) It would undermine the federal-provincial balance.
Answer: c
In the context of Senate reform, what is “partisan appointment”?
a) Appointing individuals based on their political affiliations
b) Appointing individuals from different provinces
c) Appointing non-partisan individuals to the Senate
d) Appointing senators who have no party affiliation
Answer: a
What is the key difference between Senate nominee elections and a constitutional amendment for Senate reform?
a) Senate nominee elections require federal approval.
b) A constitutional amendment requires a referendum.
c) Senate nominee elections are binding.
d) A constitutional amendment requires unanimous consent of all provinces.
Answer: d
Which political leader launched the case that led to the Supreme Court’s reference on Senate reform?
a) Stephen Harper
b) Justin Trudeau
c) Jean Chrétien
d) Paul Martin
Answer: a
What does the term “sober second thought” mean in the context of the Canadian Senate?
a) Senators must avoid partisan decision-making.
b) Senators must review bills without haste.
c) Senators must be physically present in the chamber.
d) Senators must abstain from alcohol during sessions.
Answer: b
The “unelected elite” critique of the Canadian Senate refers to:
a) Appointed senators being from diverse backgrounds.
b) Senators being too young to hold office.
c) Senators not representing urban interests.
d) Senators being appointed rather than elected by the public.
Answer: d
Which political party introduced the concept of Senate nominee elections in Alberta?
a) Liberal Party
b) Conservative Party
c) New Democratic Party (NDP)
d) Green Party
Answer: b
What is the main argument for Senate reform through provincial referendums?
a) It would provide a clear mandate from the people.
b) It would ensure the Prime Minister’s approval.
c) It would require a unanimous vote from provinces.
d) It would require the approval of the House of Commons.
Answer: a
Which of the following methods has been used to seek input from Canadians on Senate reform?
a) National elections
b) Town hall meetings
c) Provincial referendums
d) Consultation with municipal councils
Answer: b
What is the “Clarity Act” related to Senate reform?
a) A law that requires provinces to hold referendums on Senate reform
b) A law that defines the criteria for a clear referendum question on constitutional matters
c) A law that outlines the powers of the Senate in the legislative process
d) A law that prevents Senate nominee elections from taking place
Answer: b
Which of the following is a potential consequence of having an elected Senate in Canada?
a) Increased power of the Prime Minister
b) Greater regional representation
c) Reduced influence of provinces
d) Weakened federal government
Answer: b
What is the main argument against Senate nominee elections?
a) They would require a constitutional amendment.
b) They would make the Senate too powerful.
c) They would undermine the principle of responsible government.
d) They would increase the federal government’s control over the Senate.
Answer: c
The “Calgary Declaration” issued by provincial premiers in 1997 called for what kind of Senate reform?
a) Abolishing the Senate
b) Appointed Senate
c) Triple-E Senate
d) Regional Senate
Answer: c
