1. Chapter 1 How Effectively does Canada’s Federal Political System govern Canada for all Canadians?

2. Welcome to Social Studies 9
I have a specific way that I will present the information to the class.
One of the biggest problems most students have is a lack of organization.
This system will help you organize all of the information that you will receive in the class.

3. Bolding
Usually on power-point slides I will have certain section BOLDED.
The Bolded points are the ones you need to take down.

4. Notes
All the notes in this class will be on power-point and will always be in White/Black.
You should have a section in your binder that is solely dedicated to notes.
The biggest problem that most students have is a lack of organization, so if you follow my system, this will not be a problem.
You will have 3-6 slides of notes per class.

5. Vocabulary
All the Vocabulary words in this class will be in yellow or red.
Vocabulary is very important in this course, most of the tests and the final exam are based around the vocabulary in the course.
This should also have its own section in your notes.

6. Key Points of the day
Every once and awhile you will be given a piece of information that is particularly important for a unit exam, quiz, or the final.
These test hints will always be in green.
If you keep track of these all semester you will have a great study guide for the final.

7. Web Diagram
We will often use web diagrams in this class to connect ideas, vocab words, and pieces of information.
They will also allow you to know which chapter will be on tests and quizzes.
This information will appear in blue.

8. Assignment and Questions
All assignments and questions and any other course work will be in purple.
This should have its own section in a binder or duo tang.

9. Home Work Each Monday, I will check your work from the week.
Every time you have all of the work completed you will get a * by your name. Every time you get 4 stars you will be able to trade that in for different things.
Homework will also include two new sections

10. Questions and Answers
Each Monday when I check your homework you will need to include 3-5 things you learned from the previous week and 3 questions you have about anything we covered during that week.

11. Walk In Assignment
If you were old enough to vote in the upcoming election on ?, what would be the most important issues to you be, that you would want the Federal government to address and why?
After writing your response in complete sentences, rank order your top 5 things that you would want to see addressed by the new government.

12. Journal response 1
Think about the political and economic spectrum and state which side of the spectrum that you would rather live in?
Are you someone who would rather live in a right wing society with lower taxes and less services and be more independent?
Are you someone who would rather have the safety net that the government provides?
Explain your answer.

13. Issues
Opinion: a personal reaction to an issue.
Criteria: the standards by which you measure judgment.
Bias: When you judge something a certain way because of a pre-existing notion or relationship you have with that issue.
Issue: the topic or matter that is being discussed.

14. Page 11 Response Chart
On page 11, the textbook shows an issue in the middle, surrounded by a number of different responses.
When we discuss a major issue in this class, you will often be expected to begin by creating a “Response Chart” in this fashion.

15. Page Spot and Respond
On pages the issue of “gun ownership” in Canada is broken down and discussed.
You will often have to break down and respond to an issue in this fashion because it allows you really dissect and properly respond to a major question.

16. Question
Your first assignment will be to respond to the question of “Should the legal age of driving be raised to 18?” ponding to an issue.

17. Focus Questions of this Chapter
What is the structure of Canada’s federal political system?
How do bills become laws?
How do the media connect Canadians to their government?
What do lobbyists do?

18. Chapter 1
Government: the body with the power to make changes and decisions for a society
Governance: the process of governing (making decisions that affect a society).
In Canada, there are a number of competing political parties that strive for the power to run the country.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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 David Johnston

22. September 11

23. 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.

24. The House of Commons Is made up of 338 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

25. Stuff I May test you on
Government, governance, house of commons, governor general, Constitutional monarchy.

26. Assignment
1. Explain the concept of a constitutional monarchy; how much power does the Queen really have in the Canadian political system?
2. Describe what the House of Commons is most commonly used for.
3. What is a Member of Parliament? Explain their significance as representing voters.
4. What is required in order for a bill to become a law? Why do you think that is?

27. Political Parties
A political party is a group of people who share a common ideology. They then seek to use that ideology to better a society.
Once a political party wins an election, they may choose to make major changes in what areas of concern are focused upon.
This can lead to a major change in the Executive Branch of government.

28. Branches of Government
Executive: responsible for putting laws into action. (consists of PM and Cabinet).
The PM is the elected head of a political party that wins the Federal Election.

29. Branches of Government
The Cabinet includes different people (ministers) who all have different responsibilities (portfolios) ex health, finance.
The PM chooses his Cabinet.
The Cabinet also proposes ideas that may become laws to the PM.
Together, they run the day-to-day business of the government.

30. MP’s
Members of Parliament (MP’s) have 2 key roles:
1. To represent constituents (people who have elected them in a particular region).
2. To vote to pass laws in the Legislative Branch of Government.

31. Walk in Assignment #11
As Prime Minister, how could you use cabinet positions to respond to issues about government that concern Canadians?

32. Legislative Branch
Legislative Branch: responsible for voting on and passing laws. Consists of House of Commons, Governor General, and Senate
The House of commons contains 338 MP’s that discuss and vote on bills that could become laws.

33. Majority and Minority
P 28
Majority Government: when a political party wins 51% (170) or more of the seats in the HOC.
Minority Government: When a political party wins the most seats in the HOC but does not hold 50% of the seats.

34. Popular vote vs. Ridings!
Popular Vote: The % of votes a political party receives in an election
Ridings: every province is divided into ridings, or areas that all have an elected representative.
Official Opposition: the political party that wins the 2nd most seats in the HOC.
Each province is divided into ridings based on population.

35. The Senate
The Senate are a group of people appointed by the PM that discuss ideas for new laws.
They also represent a certain group in Canada.
Minority representation is an important issue in the Senate.
The senate may also reject a law voted on in the HOC, but that rarely happens.
Senators cannot propose laws that create or spend taxes.

36. Political cartoons

37. Political cartoon
List 5 things that jump out at you when looking at the cartoon.
What do you think this cartoon is trying to say and why you feel that way?
What larger issue do you feel this cartoon is connected to?

38. Lobbying http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvARozjAPCo

39. Lobbying
Lobbying: someone who is hired to influence MP’s and Government officials.
Lobbyists can be hired by virtually any company, basically they are hired to influence or argue in order to get legislation passed that favors the group they represent.

40. Lobbying
The Federal Accountability Act: a rule which requires all lobbyists to document when they meet with an MP and/or government official.
Some lobbyists do not work for the betterment of Canada or Canadians, but rather for a corporation or company.
Lobbyists are biased to an issue, because they are trying to influence a certain decision.

41. Lobbying
Now that we have discussed political parties your assignment is to lobby for your party.
You will need to form a group and come up with 3 arguments as to why your political party should run Canada as well as 2-3 reasons why other parties should not.
We will discuss your reasons as a class.

42. Bill 75 The Federal Government of Canada will examine Bill 75:
The conservative minority government is proposing a bill that would create a private health care system in Canada.
This bill would lower taxes by 15% for each person but would mean that each Canadian would be responsible for either paying for health care on their own or buying insurance.
This would also mean that Canadians would not face long wait times for tests and treatment.

43. assignment You will be divided into 3 groups:
Each representing one of the major political parties in Canada
Together, we will go through the process of passing a bill legally in Canada.
We will be going through each step and at the end you will be writing a personal response to the issue.
We will be taking notes as we go.

44. Step 1: First Reading- the proposed law is read.
Law Making Steps
Step 1: First Reading- the proposed law is read.

45. Step 2: Second Reading: Debate is encouraged on the proposed law- does it serve the interest of Canadians?

46. In your groups- discuss the proposed law and discuss whether you feel it is in the BEST INTERESTS OF THE CANADIAN POPULATION.
Back up your reasoning with facts and opinions.

47. Step 3: Committee Stage: A committee of senators review the bill and create a report with a recommendation to the HOC

48. Senate report
This bill is very controversial. The conservatives make good points but face fierce opposition from both the liberals and the NDP.
A vote is recommended for this bill and if it does not pass it is recommended that it is altered.

49. Step 4: Report Stage: the bill is debated and voted on
Step 4: Report Stage: the bill is debated and voted on. (possible changes are made)

50. Step 5: Third Reading: Debate and vote on final bill.

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

52. Judicial Branch
Includes all courts in Canada.
The Highest court in known as the supreme Court
The supreme court is made up of 9 judges which represent the population of Canada equally (well kind of).

53. Judges serve as interpreters of the law.
They are hired, not always to judge guilt or innocence, but rather the severity of the punishment.
Supreme court judges are appointed by the prime minister.

54. The rights of Canadians
Judges in Canada have the role of protecting the rights of Canadians and making sure that all rights are upheld.

55. Assignment
Now that you have learned the political spectrum, your assignment will be to outline your political thoughts regarding 3 major areas.
1. Economics- should the government have high taxes and services or low taxes and little?
2. Judicial- should the government focus on harsh prison sentences and long jail terms or shorter terms and a focus on rehabilitation?
3. Social- Should the government take care of its citizens with social programs (which would mean higher taxes) or leave people to look after themselves?

56. The Media
The role of the media in government is to inform the citizen of government business and changes made to laws.
They have to ability to influence the minds of citizens and also are crucial for making citizens aware of different political leadership and policy.

57. Social Studies Pick up lines
1. You’ve won the majority of my heart.
2. You’re the only I want in my riding.

58. Social studies pick up lines
1. “You’ve won the majority of my heart”