Describe, with reference to both the federal and provincial governments, the functions of the three branches of government in Canada (i.e., executive, legislative, judicial) and the roles/responsibilities of key positions within governments (e.g., the governor general, a lieutenant governor, the prime minister, a premier, cabinet ministers, a leader of the opposition, a speaker, the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Canada), and explain how the branches help ensure political and social stability in Canada. Sample questions: “Who delivers the speech from the throne in federal and/or provincial parliaments? Why? What issues were highlighted in the latest throne speech in Ontario?” “What responsibilities do cabinet ministers have?” “Why is it important that the judicial branch operate independently of the other two branches?” “What roles do the three branches play in the law-making process in Canada? What are some ways in which you could participate in that process?” “Based on your inquiry, what similarities and differences do you see in the branches of government in Canada and Britain?”
Demonstrate an understanding that Canada’s constitution includes different elements, and analyse key rights of citizenship in the constitution, with particular reference to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (e.g., voting rights, mobility rights, language rights, equality rights, right to privacy, rights of Aboriginal people). Sample questions: “Besides the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, what other documents are part of the Canadian constitution?” “What section of the Charter do you value the most? Why?” “What is the difference between a freedom, a right, and a responsibility?” “What are some challenges to Canadians’ right to privacy presented by new technological developments?” “What rights of citizenship are represented by a passport? Should the government be able to rescind a passport?”
Use the concepts of political thinking (i.e., political significance, objectives and results, stability and change, political perspective) when analysing and evaluating evidence, data, and information and formulating conclusions and/or judgments about issues, events, and/or developments of civic importance (e.g., use the concept of political significance when analysing the impact of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms on Canadian society; use the concept of objectives and results when analysing the intended and unintended impact of a community-planning decision; use the concept of stability and change when analysing the results of an election; use the concept of political perspective when evaluating the positions of different stakeholder groups on how best to foster healthy schools and determining the values and beliefs that underpin these positions). Sample questions: “What does the term digital footprint mean? Why is your digital footprint significant? Do you think that the information you share on social media with your peers would be interpreted differently by a potential employer? Do you think the employer has a right to access or restrict such information?” “What are the objectives of the plan of action you are proposing to address an issue in your school or local community? What did your investigation reveal about unintended results of other courses of action that were implemented to address this issue?” “What criteria can be used to assess the changes that have resulted from this decision taken by a local council?” “How might you determine whether your student council represents the perspectives of all students in the school?”