Social Studies 1201/02

This unit provides students with the opportunity to examine Canada’s system of justice. The judiciary is based on the principle of fundamental justice and helps protect Canadians and maintain order.

Students have already learned about the purposes and structures of Canadian democracy and that rights protect citizens and help create a just society. Additionally, students have explored how active citizenship shapes government policies to reflect societal values. This unit examines how the judiciary ensures that laws and policies protect the rights and interests of Canadians.

During this investigation, students will consider how

• fundamental justice protects people and preserves social order

• the judicial system determines responsibility and prescribes punishment or remedy in criminal and civil matters

• various individuals and groups in society may have different experiences with the justice system. 

This unit reinforces previous outcomes by encouraging students to investigate the significance of the judiciary in preserving Canadian democracy. The ideas discussed in this unit provide opportunities for students to think critically about the justice system and to evaluate its effectiveness.