Word Power: Test Your Knowledge of These Canadian Election Terms
Updated: Oct. 29, 2020
A strong grasp of election terminology gives power to the people. See if you can pick out the winning definitions.
Answer: C—Someone who seeks and publicizes scandals
As in, “A muckraker discovered the leading candidate’s marriage was in trouble.”
Answer: A—Of ordinary people
As in, “Black Lives Matter is a grassroots movement with no formal hierarchy.”
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First past the post
A: System in which the candidate with the most votes wins
B: Survey taken as voters leave the polling station
C: Opening debate question
Answer: B—Person holding an office
As in, “The Canadian House of Commons has a transition program to help defeated incumbents find other jobs.”
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Answer: B—Study of elections
As in, “After founding a psephology website, Éric Grenier was hired by the CBC.”
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Answer: C—Amount of registered voters who cast ballots
As in, “Turnout at Quebec’s 1995 referendum was 93.5 per cent.”
Answer: B—System where parties gain seats in proportion to their votes
As in, “British Columbia has rejected proportional representation three times.”
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Answer: C—Right to vote
As in, “Although the Inuit gained federal suffrage in 1950, few ballot boxes were placed in Inuit communities before 1962.”
From “Snafu” in the Yukon to Newfoundland’s “Happy Adventure,” these funny Canadian town names often have fascinating origins.
Acclamation
A: Victory because there is only one candidate
B: Voting by calling out “Aye” or “Nay”
C: Voter apathy
Answer: A—Victory because there is only one candidate
As in, “In 2012, six of Saskatchewan’s mayors won by acclamation.”
Check out the strangest fact about every Canadian province.
Answer: A—Selecting politicians by lottery
As in, “Practiced in Ancient Athens, sortition has present-day supporters.”
Next, test your knowledge of these Canadian slang terms.
