Distinguishing symbols or designs used by nations, governments, corporations, institutions and individuals to indicate sovereignty, authority, ownership and identity. Also known as coats of arms.
British North America Act, 1867:
A statute of the British Parliament in 1867 that provided for the creation of the Dominion of Canada. As Canada’s original constitution (in 1982 renamed Constitution Act, 1867), it has been amended many times and, along with other legislative documents and decrees, forms an integral part of Canada’s Constitution.
Canadian Crown:
All executive powers exercised by or on behalf of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, as Queen of Canada, within our system of constitutional monarchy, which ensures effective and orderly government.
Collective Crown:
A term used to describe the institution comprised of the Sovereign (Queen Elizabeth II as Queen of Canada) and her eleven direct representatives: the Governor General (federal jurisdiction) and the ten Lieutenant Governors (provincial jurisdictions).
Commonwealth:
A free association of 53 nations from around the world that were once colonies of Great Britain. All nations are equal partners, dedicated to cooperation in the interest of freedom and development, and recognize the Queen as Head of the Commonwealth.
Confederation:
The union of Upper Canada (Ontario), Lower Canada (Québec), Nova Scotia and New Brunswick as provided for by the British North America Act, 1867 to form the Dominion of Canada.
Congressional democracy:
A system of government in which there is a clear separation between the executive (President and Cabinet) and legislative (Congress) branches of government. The executive branch is not directly accountable to the legislative, which is made up of the elected representatives of the people.
Constitution Act, 1867:
See British North America Act, 1867.
Constitutional convention:
Well-established customs or practices, which have evolved over time and are integral aspects of our system of government even though they are not specifically mentioned in the Constitution. One of three elements that make up Canada’s Constitution: written constitution, legislation, and unwritten constitution (rules of common law and conventions).
Constitutional monarchy:
A form of government in which executive powers (Crown) are exercised by or on behalf of the Sovereign and on the basis of ministerial advice.
Court of Queen’s Bench:
The superior-court trial division in the provincial jurisdiction (New Brunswick, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta). Different names are used in other provinces and territories (Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut: “Supreme Court”; Québec: “Superior Court”; Ontario: “Ontario Court, General Division”).
Crown of Canada:
See Canadian Crown.
Crown land:
Land belonging to the government, whether in the national or provincial jurisdiction.
Crown corporations:
Corporations in which the government, be it at the national or provincial level, has total or majority ownership. Organized on the pattern of private enterprises, they have a mandate to provide specific goods and/or services.
Decorations for Bravery:
Honours awarded to people who have incurred a grave risk of injury or have placed their lives in jeopardy in attempting to rescue others. These honours are awarded by the Governor General on behalf of the Queen.
Dissolution of Parliament:
The termination of the life of a Parliament, and by extension the ruling government, which is followed by a general election. Dissolution is proclaimed by the representative of the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister or Premier.
Equerry:
An officer of the Canadian Forces appointed to attend the Queen or a member of the Royal Family during a visit to Canada.
Executive:
The branch of government that carries out the law — the cabinet and ruling government that sit in the elected chamber (House of Commons/Legislature). Also referred to as “The Queen in Council.”
Executive Council:
The Premier of the province and members of the cabinet, which are akin to the Privy Council (Prime Minister and members of the cabinet) in the federal jurisdiction.
Fathers of Confederation:
The 36 delegates who, between 1864 and 1867, met to discuss terms of union for the British North American colonies that led to the creation of the Dominion of Canada in 1867.
Federal state:
A nation that brings together different political communities with a national government for common purposes and separate (provincial/state) governments for the particular purposes of each community.
Government House:
Her Majesty’s official residences in Canada, situated in Ottawa and most provincial capitals and occupied by the Queen’s representative. Government House in Ottawa is known as Rideau Hall.
Governor:
The personal representative of the French king who directed operations in New France on behalf of the French Crown; this function was in effect from 1627 until 1760. Subsequently, governors served as colonial administrators under the British Crown.
Governor General:
The personal representative of the Queen who acts on her behalf in performing certain duties and responsibilities in the federal jurisdiction.
House of Commons:
The elected, lower chamber of Canada’s parliament through which all legislation must pass before it becomes law. The members are chosen in general elections held every four years based on fixed election dates, pursuant to new legislation passed in 2007.
Judicial:
The branch of government that interprets the law — in other words, the courts. Also referred to as “The Queen in Banco” or “The Queen on the Bench.”
Legislative:
The branch of government that makes the laws — Parliament of Canada/provincial and territorial legislatures. Also referred to as “The Queen in Parliament.”
Legislature:
The federal legislature (Parliament of Canada) consists of the Queen, the Senate, and the House of Commons. The provincial legislatures consist of the Lieutenant Governor and the elected house.
Letters of Credence:
Formal letters accrediting Canadian ambassadors/particular high commissioners as the official representatives of Canada in foreign states.
Letters Patent:
A document issued by the Sovereign that serves as an instrument of conveyance or grant, in areas as diverse as land, franchises and offices. The Letters Patent issued by King George VI in 1947 transferred most of the Sovereign’s powers to the Governor General to be exercised in Canada.
Lieutenant Governor:
The personal representative of the Queen who acts on her behalf in performing certain duties and responsibilities in the provincial jurisdiction.
Mace:
A staff, normally bearing a Crown, that rests in Canadian legislative chambers while the chambers are in session. The mace symbolizes the legitimate right of the legislatures to sit under authority of the Crown.
Magna Carta:
The charter of English personal and political liberties granted by King John at Runnymede, England, in 1215.
Majority government:
A government formed by the leader of the political party who has won a majority of seats in the House of Commons/legislature following a general election.
Meritorious Service Decorations (Military and Civil Decorations):
Honours awarded to Canadians or non-Canadians for a deed or activity performed in a professional manner or of a high standard that brings benefit or honour to the Canadian Forces or to Canada. These honours are awarded by the Governor General on behalf of the Queen.
Ministers of the Crown:
Members of a government who are selected by the Prime Minister/Premier to be given cabinet responsibilities in specific areas and to be known as cabinet ministers. The oath of office is administered in the presence of the Sovereign’s representative.
Minority government:
A government formed when no party holds a clear majority of seats in the House of Commons/legislature following a general election. Usually, the government is formed by the party with the most seats.
Order of Military Merit:
Honours awarded to regular or reserve members of the Canadian Forces to recognize conspicuous merit and exceptional service. These honours are awarded by the Governor General on behalf of the Queen.
Order of Canada:
Honours awarded to Canadians to recognize their achievement in important fields of human endeavour and service to their country. These honours are awarded by the Governor General on behalf of the Queen.
Parliament of Canada:
The supreme legislature of Canada consisting of the Queen (represented by the Governor General), the Senate and the House of Commons.
Parliamentary democracy:
A British system of government in which the executive (Prime Minister/Premier and cabinet) sit in the elected chamber (House of Commons/Legislature) and are accountable to the elected representatives of the people. From time to time, members of the Executive (Ministers of the Crown) have sat in the upper chamber (the Senate).
Patriation of the Constitution:
The 1982 process whereby the British Parliament divested itself of its power to amend the Canadian Constitution, and the Constitution Act, 1982 provided Canada with its own amending formula.
Premier:
The first minister, or head, of a provincial government, who is also the leader of the party in power.
Prerogative powers:
Those powers of the Crown that are based in constitutional convention — discretionary authority exercised by the Crown. See also Royal prerogative.
Prime Minister:
The first minister, or head, of a federal government, who is also the leader of the party in power.
Privy Council:
The Prime Minister and members of the cabinet — the equivalent of the Executive Council (Premier and members of the cabinet) in the provincial jurisdiction.
Republic:
A nation with an elected or nominated president who may serve as both head of government and head of state or simply as head of state.
Reserve powers:
Powers that remain vested in the Crown that can be used by the Queen and her representatives (Governor General and Lieutenant Governors) in special situations.
Responsible government:
A government that is responsible to the people, based on the principle that governments must be responsible to the representatives of the people.
Royal Assent:
The consent granted by the Queen’s representative (Governor General or Lieutenant Governor), which serves as the Crown’s approval of a bill, thereby making it an act (law).
Royal Prerogative:
The historic rights and privileges from which flow all executive powers (the Crown) as exercised by the Sovereign.
Royal commissions:
Official inquiries into matters of public concern that have their historic origin with the Sovereign’s prerogative powers to order investigations.
Senate:
The appointed, upper chamber of Canada’s parliament through which all legislation must pass before it becomes law.
Sovereign:
The king or queen; the ruling monarch.
Speech from the Throne:
A statement of work being proposed by the government to be undertaken in the parliamentary session being opened. The speech is prepared by the government and read by the Governor General or the Lieutenant Governor. In Québec, the Speech from the Throne is read by the Premier in the presence of the Lieutenant Governor.
Statute of Westminster, 1931:
A law of the British Parliament (December 11, 1931) that granted Canada and other dominions full legal independence and legislative autonomy, thus ending Britain’s overriding authority over Dominion legislation.
Statutory powers:
Powers that are written in law.
Victoria Day:
A national holiday established by Parliament in 1901 and observed on the first Monday preceding May 25. Originally intended to honour the birthday of Queen Victoria, the day now celebrates the birthday of Queen Elizabeth II (although the actual date is April 21).
Vote of non-confidence:
A vote on a motion that indicates that the government has lost the confidence of the House if it is adopted. The government would then normally resign or request the Governor General/Lieutenant Governor to dissolve Parliament/Legislature and issue election writs.
