Grade 9: social studies

Constitution

Examine the structure of Canada’s federal political system by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:

  • How are laws passed in the federal political system?
  • What is the relationship between the executive, legislative and judicial branches of Canada’s federal political system?
  • What is the role of political parties within Canada’s federal political system?
  • What is the role of the media in relation to political issues?
  • How do lobby groups impact government decision making?
  • To what extent do political and legislative processes meet the needs of all Canadians?


Senate

Examine the structure of Canada’s federal political system by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:

  • How are laws passed in the federal political system?
  • What is the relationship between the executive, legislative and judicial branches of Canada’s federal political system?
  • What processes are used to determine Members of Parliament (MPs) and Senators?
  • To whom are Members of Parliament and Senators accountable?


Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Individual rights

Assess, critically, the impact of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms on the legislative process in Canada by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:

  • In what ways has the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms fostered recognition of individual rights in Canada?
  • How does the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms support individuals in exercising their rights?
  • In what ways has the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms affected conditions in the workplace (i.e., issues of gender, age, race, religion)?
  • What is the relationship between the rights guaranteed in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the responsibilities of Canadian citizens?


Assess, critically, how legislative processes attempt to address emerging issues of immigration by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:

  • What is the relationship between immigration policies in Canada and the rights guaranteed in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms?


Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Collective rights

Assess, critically, how the increased demand for recognition of collective rights has impacted the legislative process in Canada by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:

  • In what ways has the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms fostered recognition of collective rights in Canada?
  • In what ways does the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms meet the needs of Francophones in minority settings?
  • To what extent does the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms meet the needs of Francophones in Québec?
  • To what extent should federal and provincial governments support and promote the rights of official language minorities in Canada?


Assess, critically, how legislative processes attempt to address emerging issues of immigration by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:

  • How is the implementation of immigration policies in Québec an attempt to strengthen the French language in North America?


Indigenous rights, Treaty rights

Assess, critically, how the increased demand for recognition of collective rights has impacted the legislative process in Canada by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:

  • How does the Indian Act recognize the status and identity of Aboriginal peoples?
  • How does legislation such as Treaty 6, Treaty 7 and Treaty 8 recognize the status and identity of Aboriginal peoples?
  • How do governments recognize Métis cultures and rights through legislation (i.e., treaties, governance, land claims, Métis Settlements in Alberta)?