LESSON 2: Governments in

Canada is a large and diverse country. To serve citizens Members of Parliament (MPs), territorial representatives most effectively, there are three levels of government: are called Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), federal, provincial or territorial, and municipal. Each and municipal representatives are called council members level of government has its own structure of elected or councillors. MPs and MLAs are often affiliated with representatives and appointed officials, and a unique set political parties. of responsibilities. The leader of the federal government is called the The federal government takes responsibility for national prime minister and at the provincial or territorial level, and international matters, the provincial or territorial a . In both of these cases the leader of the party government manages regional concerns for their province with the largest number of representatives elected to or territory, and municipal governments take care of local parliament or the legislative assembly assumes the role of matters for their community. the leader of that government. At the municipal level in Yukon, the head of council is called a mayor. In addition, there are other types of government in certain Indigenous communities. Indigenous governments replace, The Yukon territorial government is further divided into overlap, or share certain responsibilities with the government three branches: legislative, executive and judicial. of their province/territory or the federal government. The term self-government refers to a First Nation or The legislative branch creates and amends laws, rules and Indigenous community with control over its own affairs. regulations under territorial jurisdiction. The legislative branch is made up of elected representatives. There Each level of government has locally elected officials to are currently 19 MLAs and each represents a different represent the people (called constituents) living in their geographic area called an electoral district (also known as designated areas. Federal representatives are called a riding or constituency).

13 STUDENT VOTE ACTIVITY RESOURCE LESSON 2: Governments in Yukon

The members meet at the legislative assembly in PERFORMANCE INDICATORS Whitehorse to create and amend laws, and act as spokespersons for their constituents (those living in Upon completion of the lesson, students will be able to: their electoral area or area they represent). When the • Identify the roles and responsibilities associated with Legislative Assembly is not sitting, members meet with the levels of government. constituents in their community to discuss their concerns. • Discuss how the roles and responsibilities associated with the levels of government in Yukon are different The Yukon legislature has not always had control over its from those of the provinces. own regional matters and responsibilities but has gradually • Identify the territorial government departments and received powers from the Canadian federal government. their functions. The transfer of control over certain responsibilities is known • Understand how government affects their lives. as devolution of power. As the result ofdevolution , the Government of Yukon is now responsible for public lands and resource management over water, forestry and mineral RESOURCES resources, among other regional decisions. • Video: The Levels of Government (2:37 min) • PowerPoint 2: Governments in Yukon (Elementary and The executive branch consists of the premier and cabinet Secondary versions available) ministers (comprised of members of the legislative branch). • Handout 2.1: Government Responsibilities The executive branch implements and enforces laws, rules and • Activity Sheet 2.2: Investigating Government regulations. Each cabinet minister is in charge of a territorial • Activity Sheet 2.3: In the News department and acts as an advisor to the premier and the • Handout 2.4: Yukon Government Overview legislature in their area of expertise. The executive branch • Handout 2.5: Yukon Timeline is also referred to as the cabinet (or government caucus). • Activity Sheet 2.6: Exploring Yukon Government Departments The judicial branch interprets the law, rules and regulations and punishes those who violate them. The Territorial Court consists of a chief judge and three ACTIVITIES full‑time territorial judges, located in Whitehorse. There are also 12 deputy judges who serve at various locations Hook: 5-10 min in the territory. 1. Review the concept of a ‘representative democracy.’ Then ask students if they know how many levels of The of Yukon is appointed by the government we have in Canada. Write down the levels of and has a role that is very similar government on the board or recite them. to the provincial lieutenant governors. The commissioner is Yukon’s head of state and generally acts on the advice of 2. Ask students to consider the representative from which elected officials. level of government they would contact in the following scenarios, and what that representative might do to help: The commissioner is responsible for swearing in MLAs a) There has been ongoing vandalism at the local park to the legislature, swearing in members of the cabinet, and broken glass makes it unsafe for children to play. opening sessions of the legislative assembly and reading b) You think there should be more financial aid available the throne speech, approving laws and bills that pass to help youth pursue post-secondary education or through the legislative assembly and signing other skills and training programs. important documents, such as orders-in-council. In c) A group in your community would like to preserve addition to performing these legislative duties, the their ancestral language. commissioner serves as a link between the government d) You are travelling to a foreign country and require and the people. For example, the commissioner documentation. will attend events and play a ceremonial role as a e) The health centre in your community is in need of more representative of the Government of Yukon. medical staff to meet the needs of the community.

3. Debrief on the activity: Why is it important to know OUTCOMES the roles and responsibilities associated with each level Students will understand the roles and responsibilities of government? Why is it important to know who your associated with the three levels of government and the elected representatives are? composition of their municipal government.

14 STUDENT VOTE ACTIVITY RESOURCE LESSON 2: Governments in Yukon

Essential Learning: 40-45 min C. Have your students create a visual timeline of events displaying the devolution of power to Yukon. You can 1. Show ‘The Levels of Government’ video to your class to make the exercise more challenging for older students by provide an overview of the roles and the responsibilities letting them solely consult the text-based Handout 2.4. of each level of government. Other support tools available Younger students may find the material more accessible include PowerPoint 2 and Handout 2.1. if they are asked to illustrate the events only using Handout 2.5. Each student can make their own timeline or visual 2. To further an understanding of each level of government, artwork, or the class can be broken up into groups or pairs have students complete Activity Sheet 2.2 in groups, pairs responsible for different historical periods. Have students or individually and take up the answers as a class. present their timeline(s) and/or display the timeline(s) on a bulletin board. 3. Using PowerPoint 2, review basic information about the territorial government: D. Divide students into groups or pairs and assign each • The representative at the territorial level is called a one a territorial government department (Activity Sheet Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). There 2.6). Students can research their department using the are 19 Yukon MLAs and each represents an electoral government’s website (www.gov.yk.ca/depts). Ask each district. group to create a short presentation or skit about the • MLAs meet at the Legislative Building in Whitehorse role and responsibilities of their department (e.g., What to create and amend laws, and act as spokespersons objectives do they have? What type of programs or for their constituents. services do they offer? How do they aim to help people? • The leader of the territorial government is called Are responsibilities of this department shared with other the premier. The leader of the political party with types of government in the region?). Give each group the largest number of representatives elected to the an opportunity to present their department without legislative assembly becomes the premier. announcing its name and have the rest of the class guess • The premier selects MLAs to become cabinet which department they are representing. Students can ministers in charge of territorial departments. take notes during each presentation. • The Commissioner of Yukon is the territorial head of state and is appointed by the Government of Canada. E. Have students research and choose a territorial political The commissioner generally acts on the advice of the figure from the past – someone who made a significant elected officials and performs certain legislative and mark in Yukon or the local community. Have them write a ceremonial duties. short summary of the person’s impact and what it means • As a result of devolution, the Government of to them, and have them present it to the class. Yukon now has control over regional matters and responsibilities that were previously the responsibility of the federal government. EXTERNAL RESOURCES

Extensions: • “How Canadians Govern Themselves,” Parliament of A. Have students draw a picture or map of their Canada — www.parl.gc.ca community and label at least five government services • “Discover Canada,” Citizen and Immigration Canada (e.g., school, park, nursing station, roads, cars, police — www.cic.gc.ca officer). Each service should also include the level of • Government of Canada — www.gc.ca government that oversees it. • Government of Yukon — www.gov.yk.ca • Council of Yukon First Nations B. Have students find a story related to government — www.cyfn.ca in the newspaper or on a media website. Ask them to • Yukon Legislative Assembly identify whether the story concerns federal, territorial, — www.legassembly.gov.yk.ca municipal or First Nations government(s) by highlighting • Yukon Devolution — www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca the key words that reveal this information. Using Activity • Elections Yukon — www.electionsyk.ca Sheet 2.3, have students answer the following questions • Yukon Government Departments and share their findings with the class: What is this news — www.gov.yk.ca story/article about? What is the issue being discussed? • Office of the Commissioner of Yukon Which level of government does it involve? What are the — www.commissioner.gov.yk.ca arguments or supporting points being made? Who is this story important to?

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