A Project Of: with Support From
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A Project of: With support from: Part II: MESSAGE INTRODUCTION In your original small groups, look at documents such CANADA’S SYSTEM A healthy democratic society functions best when its population as the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, is educated and engaged as active and informed citizens. Civics Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s study education equips ordinary citizens with knowledge of how the guide for newcomers, and the Welcome to Canada guide, Canadians elect Parliaments in every federal and provincial This guide complements provincial Canadian political system works, and empowers them to make a all of which are available online. Write down at least three election, as well as in the Yukon territory. The party that has and territorial curricula in middle difference in their communities and beyond. values from the Charter. Give examples from the other the most seats in Parliament is given the constitutional right and high school civics and social documents of statements that reflect these values in to form the government. This is known as “commanding the science classes and is meant to This education guide focuses on key topics in Canadian support of your findings. confidence of the House.” The leader of the party that forms civics. The activities inform readers about how the Canadian help prepare students for the the government becomes the prime minister in a federal governmental system works, and their rights and responsibilities In small groups or in a class discussion, compare your five Citizenship Challenge. The lessons election or the premier in a provincial election. may be used in order or on their as Canadian citizens. When students learn about the Canadian values to your findings from the documents. own. democratic process, and are informed about their community, Do your values line up with the values found in the they are more likely to vote as adults. But this guide stresses Charter? How do you think lawmakers reflect (or fail to ACTIVITY TWO: FORMING GOVERNMENT The guide is meant to give that civic engagement is more than just voting. It introduces the reflect) the values the public finds important? Do public 1. Read the Lieutenant-Governor article on The Canadian teachers and students the concept of active citizenship, and encourages students to take values inform law? Encyclopedia to understand the role a lieutenant- tools to engage with Canada’s part in the democratic process by empowering them to take Vancouver Pride Parade, governor plays in forming government. Remember, the top democratic processes. Through 2016 (Dreamstime.com/ Modification: Discuss the concept of values and beliefs charge of improving their communities and their country. responsibility of the lieutenant-governor in each province curriculum-based activities, Brian Ganter/75606906). with your students. Ask students to think about their own is to ensure that there is always an elected government in students are encouraged to think values, and have them use examples from their lives to place. Now, imagine that you are lieutenant-governor and thoughtfully and critically about identify three values they hold personally. Next, provide an election has been held in your province. the communities they inhabit — students with three values found in the Canadian Charter and would like to inhabit — and the ONLINE of Rights and Freedoms. Have students compare their own 2. Consult the Key Terms and Definitions section (see page 4) country in which they will soon be The following list of bilingual resources supports educators and students. values with those in the Charter by discussing similarities to learn how majority and minority governments are formed leaders. and differences as a group. in Canada. The Citizenship Challenge: The Samara Centre for Democracy: Teachers can use the activities in citizenshipchallenge.ca samaracanada.com A polar bear walks across the ice 3. Looking at the election results (see below), answer the this guide to prepare their students on Baffin Island, NU (Dreamstime/ following questions for each election: The Canadian Encyclopedia: Apathy is Boring: for the Citizenship Challenge, a Andreanita/57625868). thecanadianencyclopedia.ca apathyisboring.com i. Who has the constitutional right to form the next mock citizenship quiz based on the government? test taken by newcomers on the Historica Canada Education Portal: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Celebrating Canada Day ii. Which party’s leader will be invited to be premier? Canada (IRCC study guide): canada.ca/en/ in 2014 (Dreamstime/Leszek path to citizenship. The Challenge education.historicacanada.ca Wrona/42198779). immigration-refugees-citizenship.html iii. Is it a majority or minority government? tests students’ knowledge of Elections Canada: Canada and challenges them to elections.ca meet the standards expected of Election 1 Election 2 Election 3 newcomers to the country. Ontario 2018 Nova Soctia 2009 New Brunswick 2018 This guide was produced with CANADA’S IDENTITY: Black Bear Party: Bluenose Party Chickadee Party: 76 Seats 23 Seats 22 Seats the generous support of the ACTIVITY ONE: WHAT ARE “CANADIAN VALUES”? Government of Canada. Historica Trillium Party: Osprey Party: Balsam Fir Party: Canada offers programs that People have different ideas about how society should be organized and how a 40 Seats 20 Seats 21 Seats you can use to explore, learn and country should work. These diverse views are influenced by distinct values and Maple Party: May Flower Party: Purple Violet Party: reflect on our history, and what it beliefs. In Canada, vast differences exist in what people value. Priorities can vary 7 Seats 9 Seats 3 Seats among provinces, communities, neighbourhoods, and even within families. means to be Canadian. Additional Amethyst Party: free, bilingual educational The Canadian Government also has values that inform decision-making and policy. 1 Seat activities and resources on Teacher Tip: For a better understanding These values can change over time and from one government to the next. of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Canadian civics are available Freedoms, consult the Government of Class Discussion: In elections #2 and #3, which party holds on The Canadian Encyclopedia Part I: Canada’s Guide to the Canadian Charter of more power? Explain why the May Flower Party and the Purple (TCE). Historica Canada’s bilingual Rights and Freedoms: https://www.canada. Violet Party hold more influence than their seat counts suggest. education guides are part of a 1. Write a one- or two-paragraph personal reflection on what you believe constitutes “Canadian values.” ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/how- collaborative process that engages rights-protected/guide-canadian-charter- educators, academics, and 2. Next, form small groups and share your reflections with your group members. rights-freedoms.html. Both Nunavut and the Northwest Territories have what are called community stakeholders in content As a group, agree on five key Canadian values. Consensus Governments. Instead of a party system, Members of creation and lesson planning. the Legislative Assembly are elected as independents representing 3. In a classroom discussion, share your group’s five values with the rest of the class. constituencies. Read the article on Territorial Government in 4. As a class, vote on the top ten values that you share. Reflect together on this Canada to learn more: https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia. process. Was it easy or difficult to come up with shared values? Why or why not? A soldier stands at attention during ca/en/article/territorial-government Remembrance Day ceremonies in NOTE ON Chilliwack on November 11, 2018 (Dreamstime/Modfos/131351185). Mounties at the Montreal Grand Prix Enjoying the water on a (Dreamstime/Jdazuelos/22981380). Modification: Allow students to read the text using a reading canoe trip (Dreamstime/ Sian Cox/56071155). app (e.g., Read&Write), provide a summary of the text, or use Accommodations for Special a highlighter to draw attention to key words and phrases. Use Education, ELL and ESL students, visuals such as charts or physical manipulatives (e.g., tokens or and those at lower grade levels are counters) to visually represent the different parties. included under the appropriate sections, and identified as Teacher Tip: Is there an election taking place in Modification. Some activities your community, province, or the country? Engage in this guide require advanced your students in the electoral process by holding a reading skills. Consider pairing mock election at your school. Use this toolkit from language-learner students with Elections Canada to create your mock election: http:// stronger readers. electionsanddemocracy.ca/election-simulation-toolkit Cover: Parliament of Canadian Parliament buildings in Canada Day celebrations in Canada (istockphoto.com/ca/ Ottawa, June 2012 (Dreamstime.com/ Winnipeg, 2015 (Dreamstime/ Turn the page for a list of Key Terms & Definitions buzbuzzer/172356688 Ducdao/117025916). Wwphoto/56139426). associated with this activity. >> A federal elections Some students may respond strongly to activities and discussions related to Indigenous ballot from Elections Canada (Dreamstime/ NOTE peoples in Canada. It is important that the classroom climate encourages students to be Photopal604/63896418). positive, respectful, and supportive. Ensure that students know where to go for help and support should any concerns arise. KEY TERMS & DEFINITIONS: Parliament: The legislative branch of government in Canada,