CITIZENSHIP

WHAT IS CITIZENSHIP? What makes a good citizen?

DEFINITIONS: “The state of being a member of a particular country and having rights because of it.” “The state of living in a particular area or town and behaving in a way that other people who live there expect of you”

Definitions continued: “A citizen is a participatory member of a political community. Citizenship is gained by meeting the legal requirements of a nation, state, or local government. A nation grants certain rights and privileges to its citizens. In return, citizens are expected to obey their country’s laws and defend it against its enemies.

Becoming a Canadian Citizen Canadian Citizenship Act of 1947: Children who had a Canadian mother and father but were born in a foreign country are Canadian citizens. Children who had a Canadian mother and a non- Canadian father were not Canadian citizens. Immigrants who wanted to become citizens had to meet certain conditions.

Canadian Citizen Act of 1977 Be 18 years of age or older Be a permanent resident of Canada Have lived in Canada for three of the four years before applying for citizenship Speak either English or French Know Canada’s history and geography Understand Canada’s system of government People who apply must pass a test

NATURALIZATION: The process of becoming the citizen of a country other than the one in which one was born.

ANSWERS TO CANADIAN CITIZENSHIP TEST: French men/Native Women Shipbuilding, Agriculture, Fishing Fur Trade BNA Act Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Britain no longer had to give permission for decisions concerning Canada) New Brunswick Peace Tower Atlantic, Central, Praries, West, Territories Yukon Quebec

Atlantic, Central, Praries, West, Territories Yukon Quebec Parliamentary Government 300 years 1867 Chosen by the Prime Minister to be in charge of a certain department Michigan, Erie, Huron, Ontario, Superior

In the height of the summer, the sun can shine for 24 hours Beaver Atlantic, Arctic, Pacific Late 1700’s The party with the 2nd highest number of representatives in the House of Commons

RIGHTS After the Holocaust and the Second World War, Canada and other countries resolved to improve conditions in the world by creating legislation to guarantee human rights. It was Saskatchewan who passed the first Bill of Rights in 1947. The Canadian Bill of Rights was passed in 1960.

UNIVERSAL DECLARATION ON HUMAN RIGHTS This document was written by Canadian John Humphrey. It was adopted by the United Nations in 1948. It was the first of its kind. John Humphrey was born in 1905 in Hampton, New Brunswick.

1. What was the BNA act? Who controlled this act? The British North America Act. It was Canada’s first constitution. It was an act of the British Parliament, only the British could change it.

2. Explain the significance of the Constitution Act of 1982. The Canadian government could now create or change laws without having to seek the approval of the British Parliament.

CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS RIGHTS OR FREEDOMS: EXAMPLES GIVEN Fundamental Freedoms Freedom of conscience or religion, freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression Democratic rights The right to vote Mobility rights The right to travel and work in any province Legal rights The right not to be detained or imprisoned without good cause; the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. Equality rights Protection from discrimination on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, or mental or physical disability

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Find the Charter on-line. Then… Explain which two rights and freedoms you think are the most important and why.

The Not Withstanding Clause What is clause 33 and why is it significant? This is the NOTWITHSTANDING CLAUSE. It allows provincial and federal governments to make exceptions in certain cases.

DEMOCRACY: 1. government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system. 3. a state of society characterized by formal equality of rights and privileges. 4. political or social equality; democratic spirit.

TIME PERIOD LOCATION WHAT DEVELOPMENT OCCURRED? WHAT WAS THE DEMOCRATIC CONCEPT? 1792-1750 BCE Mesopotamia A babylonian king named Hammurabi organized the laws of his land. Nearly 300 laws carved on stone. Penalties based on social class. Not democratic. Everyone could see the consequences of their actions.

TIME PERIOD LOCATION WHAT DEVELOPMENT OCCURRED? WHAT WAS THE DEMOCRATIC CONCEPT? 500- 300 BCE Greece Citizens established a direct democracy. All citizens vote on all government decisions.

TIME PERIOD LOCATION WHAT DEVELOPMENT OCCURRED? WHAT WAS THE DEOMCRATIC CONCEPT? 450 BCE Rome The twelve tables of Roman laws was established in the Roman Forum. Establishes rules about property disputes, contracts, and wills. Citizens could have a legal representative at a trial.

TIME PERIOD LOCATION WHAT DEVELOPMENT OCCURRED? WHAT WAS THE DEMOCRATIC CONCEPT? 1215 England King John (1215) is forced to sign the “Magna Carta” or Great Charter The king was no longer above the law. Everyone had a right to a fair trial. Leads to the development of a parliament.

TIME PERIOD LOCATION WHAT DEVELOPMENT OCCURRED? WHAT WAS THE DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLE? 1400-1600 AD North America The peacemaker travelled to Haudenosaunee. The warring nations made peace with each other. Form the Six Nations Confederacy. Establishes a Grand Council and governments for each nation.

TIME PERIOD LOCATION WHAT DEVELOPMENT OCCURRED? WHAT WAS THE DEMOCRATIC CONCEPT? 1600’s England War between King Charles I and parliament results in Charles execution and England becomes a republic (not ruled by a king or queen) The parliament, not the monarchy governs Britain. The government should protect the peoples peace, liberty and property, and people obey the government.

TIME PERIOD LOCATION WHAT DEVELOPMENT OCCURRED? WHAT WAS THE DEMOCRATIC CONCEPT? Late 1700’s United States The thirteen colonies in the US go to war with Britain and win. (Unfair taxation issues) This establishes a democratic republic called the USA. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

TIME PERIOD LOCATION WHAT DEVELOPMENT OCCURRED? WHAT WAS THE DEMOCRATIC CONCEPT? 1789 France The French Revolution takes place. Unfair taxation and conflict between social classes. Freedom equality and brotherhood. Removes the Monarchy and the privileges of the upper classes.

NB Provincial Government There are 55 ridings in New Brunswick. Each riding votes on a candidate to Represent them in the “legislative assembly”. Those people become an “MLA” or “Member of the Legislative Assembly”. The legislative assembly is the body of people elected in each province and territory to make and pass laws. The Premier is the leader of the party that holds the most seats in the legislature.