Viewing Comic Rick Mercer explains Canada’s Federal System http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yi1yhp-_x7A

Critical Thinking Challenge Look at the pictures on page 17 in your textbook. Then answer the Critical Thinking Challenge in your “Walk in Assignments” section of your binder and label it #9. To what extent might the different experiences of the Canadians on this page affect their views or perspectives?

Chapter 1 Assessment… Your Task Create a comic book in groups of 3 that show the responsibilities and challenges of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of Canada’s Federal Government. This will be taken in and evaluated as a term 1 mark.

Getting Started Read page 21-35 in your text. Make a brainstorming chart in your notes similar to the one in your text to organize your group discussion. Inquire Example What is the issue about Canada’s government? What challenges and opportunities does the issue create for Canadians? How will you use what you know about the political system to respond to the issue?

What is the structure of Canada’s federal political system? The Queen The Executive Branch The Legislative Branch The Judicial Branch Read page 22 in your text and fill out this chart. In point form write down what each branch of government is responsible for doing.

Viewing: What is the structure of Canada’s Federal System? 1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNIrumrrdGM 2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGfYOmz_FSE&NR=1

CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY Add term to Glossary Canada is a CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY, the head of state being a monarch (a king or queen). The monarch’s representative in Canada is the Governor General who fills the role of approving laws made in Canada and other formal functions. The representative of the monarch in the provinces is the Lieutenant Governor.

Governor General Add term to Glossary The Governor General is appointed by the monarch (Queen) on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. The Lieutenant Governor is appointed by the Governor General following a recommendation by the premier of a province to the prime minister. Governor General Michaelle Jean

Governor General The Governor General has the power to appoint the Prime Minister, who is the leader of the political party that holds the most seats in the House of Commons. The Governor General and Lieutenant Governor generally acts on the advice of the prime minister or premier of the province. No bill gets passed in either parliament or a provincial legislature without ROYAL ASSENT- from the Governor General or Lieutenant Governor.

The House of Commons Is made up of 308 elected Members of Parliament Is the principal law making body in Canada Members devote most of their time to debating and voting on bills They also…. Represent constituents views Discuss national issues Call on the government to explain its actions

The House of Commons Lower House

The Executive Branch The Prime Minister and the Cabinet Read page 23-25 in your text to find out more about this branch of government. 2. Add the terms Executive Branch, Political Party, Prime Minister, Cabinet into your glossary sheets. Note: The terms political party, prime minister and cabinet are not bolded, but you can create your own definition by reading page 24.

Walk in Assignment# 2 What factors do you think the prime minister takes into account when appointing the members of cabinet? Tip: Look on page 25 at the list of portfolios that cabinet ministers have. What kind of experience do you think cabinet ministers need to do their jobs?

Walk in Assignment #3 As Prime Minister, how could you use cabinet positions to respond to issues about government that concern Canadians?

The Legislative Branch Parliament Read page 26-33 to learn more about this branch of government. Add the terms legislative branch, House of Commons, constituents, popular vote, into your glossary sheets. Note: If the words are not bolded, then make the definition up based on your readings.

Walk in Assignment #4 If you were prime minister, to what extent would you work with the opposition? You could use your answer, supported with facts and reasons, as a step toward completing your chapter task.

Members of Parliament MP’S Read page 29-30 in your text and answer the following questions. What are the 2 key roles of MP’S? Look at the graph and map on page 30, and respond to the question: “What if the votes in the 2006 election had been counted by popular vote instead of by riding? How would the way Albertans are represented in the House of Commons be different?

Answer to Question #2 In the 2006 election all of Alberta’s 28 ridings were won by the Conservative Party. If the election was determined by popular vote, than other political parties would have won seats in Alberta.

The Senate The Upper House Read pages 31-33 to find out more about the Senate. Then do the following tasks: Add the terms: Senate, senators, minorities to your glossary sheets. Answer question #1 on page 33 Connect to the big ideas. Answer the 3 Critical challenges on page 31,32,33, in your Walk in Assignments. Viewing 1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSZnK_28_sQ&NR=1 2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdSVRYC04YU&NR=1 3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSjq72k4TpM&feature=related

Walk in Assignments #5 - Page 31 Why might the role of the Senate to represent minorities be important to governance in Canada? #6 -Page 32 Why might Canadians have different views and perspectives on the role of the Senate in Canada’s political system? What evidence can you find on this page? #7- Page 33 How does the structure of the Senate represent Canadians in a different way than the House of Commons? How does this structure help the Senate act in the interests of regions and minority groups?

The Judicial Branch 1. Read page 34-37 to find out more about this branch of government. 2. Add the terms: judicial branch, judge, accountable, civil service, assimilation into your glossary sheets.

Walk in Assignment #8 How does the judicial branch connect to peace, order and good government for all Canadians? Note: Canada’s motto is peace, order, and good government. The motto in the United States is Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

How do laws become laws? Read pages 38-45 to find out how bills become laws. Take down notes in point form on: How bills become laws.

Case Study The Federal Accountability Act Read the case study on page 39, then answer the Critical thinking challenge on this page in your Walk In Assignments. Walk In Assignment #17 How might making Canada’s government more accountable contribute to good government for all Canadian’s. What other measures might contribute to good government?

Federal Accountability Act Look at the diagram on page 40-41. Answer the following question. 1. How many readings does it take for a bill to become a law in each house? 2. What would be the advantages and disadvantages of this process? Record them down in a chart like this. The Senate is not democratically elected by the people; instead they are appointed by the government. What would be some advantages and disadvantages of the senate. Who is the Senate suppose to represent in Canadian society? Note: To help you answer question #3 Read page 44 “What voice do First Nations, Metis, and Inuit people need? Advantages of the Process of Bills Becoming Laws Disadvantages of the Process of Bills becoming Laws

Connect to the Big Ideas Page 45 Answer question #1 and 2 on page 45. These questions will help you to prepare for you Chapter Task. Which is due at the end of this chapter.

How do the media connect Canadians to their government? Take the short survey “Is digital my first or second language?”, then respond to the questions that follow the survey.

Is digital my first or second language? Survey Below is a set of preferences. For each set, rate your preference by choosing one from either A or B Column A Column B Telephone Edmonton Journal Face to face conference Book Stores Daily Planner Cd’s Internet is second choice for information Televised government debate Text Messaging www.canada.com E-mail exchanges www.amazon.com Blackberry Mp 3’s Internet is first choice for information You Tube

Class Discussion Questions What role does the media play in keeping you informed about your government? Why is the information shift (the digital age) important for governments to be aware of? Are we more informed today about politics then people were 30 years ago? What are the challenges that governments face because of increased media scrutiny? What are the positive aspects of more media scrutiny on politicians, for the Canadian voter?

Media and Government Read pages 47-50 in your text to learn more about how the media impacts government decision making. Add the terms slogan and bias to your glossary sheets. Answer question #3 on page 50 Connect to the big Ideas.

Walk in Assignment # 9 and #10 Page 47 and 48 #9 How do different types of media cover government decision making? How do journalists get information? What is the relationship between politicians and the media? #10 Why do you think groups in Canada want media outlets that serve their communities?

What do Lobbyists do? Read pages 51-53 to find out how lobby groups can influence government decision making. Add the term lobbyist to your glossary words. Take a look at the clip art below to help you with examples of lobby groups in our society.

Walk in Assignment #11 and #12 Page 51and 52 #11 How might lobbyists affect political decision making and the lives of Canadians? #12 To what extent do lobbyists represent Canadians? In what ways do they help or hinder effective government decision making around issues?

Connect to the big ideas Page 53 Do questions #1,2,3 on page 53. Do this in the section of your notes under the divider Governance and Rights.