The Role of Government and Responsible Citizenship
Overview
During this unit, students will learn about Canada's political and physical regions.
Canada is made up of ten provinces and three territories. These are known as political regions. It is also divided into geographic ares known as physical regions. As we learn more about Canada, we will discover the natural resources of each region and how we can better use and care for them.
During this unit, students will learn about Canada's political and physical regions.
Canada is made up of ten provinces and three territories. These are known as political regions. It is also divided into geographic ares known as physical regions. As we learn more about Canada, we will discover the natural resources of each region and how we can better use and care for them.
Big Ideas
- Citizens and governments need to work together in order to be able to address issues effectively and fairly.
- When examining an issue, it is important to understand who the different stakeholders are and to consider their perspectives.
- To be active and effective citizens, Canadians need to understand their rights and responsibilities, as well as how governments work.
Framing Questions
- When and how should members of the community come together to make change?
- Why is it important to consider the perspectives of all stakeholders when trying to formulate solutions to problems?
- Why do we need government? Why are there three levels of government? What services should governments be responsible for?
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:
1. Assess responses of governments in Canada to some significant issues, and develop a plan of action for governments and citizens to address social and environmental issues.
2. Investigate Canadian social and/or environmental issues from various perspectives, including the perspective of the level (or levels) of government responsible for addressing the issues.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the roles and key responsibilities of citizens and of the different levels of government in Canada.
1. Assess responses of governments in Canada to some significant issues, and develop a plan of action for governments and citizens to address social and environmental issues.
2. Investigate Canadian social and/or environmental issues from various perspectives, including the perspective of the level (or levels) of government responsible for addressing the issues.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the roles and key responsibilities of citizens and of the different levels of government in Canada.
What is Good Citizenship?
Government and Democracy
What is government? What are the different types that exist around the world? What system do we use in Canada, and how does it work?
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Rights and Responsibilities
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Levels of Government
What are the levels of government in Canada? What are the responsibilities of each level? Who is the elected representative at each level?
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Interactive Activity: Select a Government responsibility from the options below the pictures, then drag and drop into the correct Level of Government section. Click the image below to begin.
Source: Ola.org
Municipal Government (City or Town)
The leader of the municipal government is called a mayor or reve. The mayor of Toronto is John Tory.
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The mayor and city councillors meet at Toronto City Hall to discuss issues and make important decisions.
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Our city is divided up into different political regions called wards. Our school is in Ward 42. Each ward has a city councillor whose job is to represent the members of that ward at city hall.
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Our representative in Ward 42 Scarborough-Rouge River is Councillor Neethan Shan. It is his job to represent the people of Ward 42 at City Hall.
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Toronto Council Chamber at City Hall (Source: Toronto Star)
Municipal Issues
Public Transportation (TTC, Taxis, regulation of companies like Uber & Lyft)
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What are we doing about crime and gun violence?
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What are we doing to help prevent/combat poverty?
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Housing (access, cost and availability)
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Provincial Government (the province)
The leader of the provincial government is called a premier. Ontario's premier is Doug Ford.
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The premier and members of provincial parliament meet at Queen's Park in Toronto (Ontario's capital city) to discuss important issues and make decisions.
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The province of Ontario is divided into 124 electoral districts called ridings. Our riding is Scarborough-Rouge Park.
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The provincial representative for Scarborough-Rouge Park is Vijay Thanigasalam. It is his job to represent his constituents (the people in his riding) at Queen's Park.
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The Ontario Legislature at Queen's Park (Source: The Sudbury Star)
Provincial Issues
Should we be learning about puberty and the reproductive system in Grade 4/5?
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How is the government helping to make child care more affordable?
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Should cell phones be banned in schools?
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What are we doing about poverty in Indigenous communities?
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Should we rethink standardized tests?
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Federal Government (the entire country)
The leader of the federal government is called the prime minister. Canada's prime minister is Justin Trudeau.
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The prime minister, the cabinet, and members of parliament meet on Parliament Hill in Ottawa (Canada's capital city) to discuss important issues and make decisions.
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Federal Issues
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Rising cost of living
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The economy
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Environmental Protection
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Trade dispute with the United States
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Parents!
Answer the following questions to see how your political beliefs match your political parties and candidates.
2018 Political Quiz on popular Canadian issues
2018 Political Quiz on popular Canadian issues
