1. Civics: Final Review

2. Unit 1: The Good Citizen

3. 1. What is Civics? (pg. 5) Define the term:
Involves the study of government, democratic decision making, and what it means to be and informed, active and responsible citizen in local, national and global contexts.

4. 3 Reasons why we should study civics:
To be a better citizen
To learn about our rights and responsibilities
To learn about Canadian government and politics

5. 2. Making Decisions (pg. 7-8)
Importance of decision making:
It is important to have different ways to make decisions because depending on the group you are dealing with (classroom, friends, country) one style might work while another will not.

6. 3 types of decisions making styles:
Democratic
Process by which a group decision is made by the MAJORITY of people.
Advantage – makes most people happy, makes those involved take responsibility for decision
Disadvantage – not everyone will be happy
Example: election, group of friends

7. Autocratic
Process by which a group decision is made by ONE person
Advantage – decisions get made quickly with little argument, responsibility to make decisions is taken off of the group
Disadvantage – group may be unhappy with decisions made
Example: teacher making decisions in classroom

8. Consensual/Collaborative
Process by which EVERYONE in the group must agree before the decision is made.
Advantage – everyone is happy with decision
Disadvantage – can take a long time to reach decision
Example: jury in courtroom

9. 3. Power (pg. 9-10)
Power – the ability of an individual or group to get what it wants.
5 reasons why certain people are more powerful than others:
Greater education
Money
Physical strength
Social status
Personality

10. 3 types of power: military, political, corporate
How can power be:
Positive – we can use power to achieve personal and shared goals (ex. a leader using their power to help a countries economy)
Negative – we can use power to deny certain people or groups equal opportunities to meet their needs and wants (ex. a leader discriminating against a certain group of people and denying them rights)
3 types of power: military, political, corporate

11. 4. Conflict Resolution (pg. 16)
As people have differing levels of power and as people often disagree about what they want or need, conflicts can arise.
2 types of conflict resolution:
Physical – generally involves violence (war, fights, etc.)
Verbal – generally involves discussion, verbal persuasion or consensus building

12. 4 types of Verbal conflict resolution:
Negotiation – both parties discuss the issues and try to resolve differences, usually involves compromise
Example: buying a house
Mediation – a third party helps both parties arrive at a solution to the conflict
Example: Wedding Crashers
Arbitration – a third party is given the power to decide the outcome of the conflict
Example: Judge Judy
Conciliation – a third party clearly defines the points of agreement and the points of differences that must be resolved to end the conflict
Example: marriage counsellor

13. 5. Democratic Decision Making (pg. 12, 15)
The process by which a group decision is made by the MAJORITY of people.
8 Elements of Democracy:
See handout

14. 6. The Responsible Citizen (pg. 19)
See handout
Basic Needs vs. Wants
Basic needs – things people need for physical survival (ex. food, shelter, water)
Wants – things people desire but that are not necessary for survival (ex. cell phone, iPod)

15. Unit 2: The Informed Citizen

16. 1. Citizenship Right and Responsibilities (pg. 27-30)
You can become and “informed citizen” by”:
Being aware of current government issues
Understanding how government operates
Actively working on political and social issues
Voting
Becoming involved in the democratic process

17. Canada is a multicultural society because it allows many different ethnic groups to retain their own languages, religion, and cultures with tolerance and without discrimination

18. Why do people become Canadian citizens?
To find new opportunities
To avoid political persecution
To find better education
To escape religious persecution
3 ways to become a Canadian citizen:
People born in Canada are automatically citizens
People born outside of Canada after February 15, 1977, and who have one Canadian parent are citizens
Immigrants can become citizens but they must meet certain requirements

19. 4 requirements for immigrants to become citizens:
Be at least 18 years of age
Be a permanent resident of Canada for at least 3 years
Have a knowledge of Canada
Be able to speak French or English

20. 2. The Constitution (pg. 30-31)
The Canadian Constitution – the body of rules or laws by which Canada is governed (passed in 1982).
It describes the basic principles that govern Canada
The Constitution contains:
The Constitution Act, 1867 (formerly know as the British North America Act, 1867)
All amendments to the BNA, 1867
The acts bringing BC, Manitoba, PEI, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland into confederation
The Statute of Westminster, 1931
The Constitution Act, 1982; Part 1: Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

21. In 1982, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau succeeded in “bringing home the Constitution” which meant that Canada now had the power to make changes to their own constitution.
This is important because it gave Canada a certain level of independence from Britain.

22. 3. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (pg. 32-33)
The Charter of Rights and Freedoms is part of the Constitution.
It outlines the rights of Canadian citizens and permanent residents

23. 6 major rights and freedoms:
Fundamental freedoms (freedom of religion, association, etc.)
Mobility rights (right to live and work in any province)
Legal rights (right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty, etc.)
Equality rights (right to equal treatment by the law, etc.
Official languages of Canada (the to access government in English or French)
Minority language educational rights (right to education in English or French)

24. 4. Government Government: If we had no government:
A method of ruling people and making laws that results in an organized society
Method to solve problems and answer questions people are faced with
If we had no government:
Everyone would do what they wanted and nothing would get done
There would be no rules/laws  result in chaos

25. 5 roles of government: Provide law and maintain order (ex. police)
Help people (ex. healthcare)
Do what individuals cannot do on their own
Protect individual rights
Represent the people

26. 5. Elections (pg )
Democracy has changed from a time of discrimination when certain groups were not allowed to vote, to now, when ALL Canadians over the age of 18 are allowed the right to vote.

27. In Canada candidates run for elections in ridings
There are 308 federal ridings in Canada and 103 provincial ridings in Ontario
Requirements to run:
Federal
Be a Canadian citizen
Be at least 18 years of age
Provincial
Be a resident of Ontario for at least 6 months before the election

28. The Election Process The Call The Candidates The Nominations
An election is announced or “called” on the advice of the Prime Minister by:
The Governor General (federal election)
or Lieutenant Governor (provincial election)
The Candidates
People who run in elections
The Nominations
Candidates submit their intention to run for election

29. The Voters’ List The Campaign The Voters
A list of the names of citizens who are eligible to vote is prepared for the upcoming election
The Campaign
Political parties campaign in the weeks before the election to promote their platforms to the voters
The Voters
Citizens are told when and where they can vote

30. The Decision The Winner The Count
On election day voters go to the polling stations in their community to vote for the candidate of their choice
Voters cast a vote for the candidate of their choice by placing a mark beside the individual`s name on the ballot
The Count
When the polls close, ballot boxes are open and the votes are counted
Members of the different political parties are present to make sure the count is fair
The Winner
Candidates with the most votes in their ridings are declared the winners
These individuals become the representatives for the riding

31. 6. Parliament (pg. 46-61) Responsibilities 3 levels of government:
Federal (country – Canada)
Provincial (province – Ontario)
Municipal (city/township – Lakeshore)
See handout for more information
Responsibilities
Federal
Provincial
Municipal
Trade
Post office
Census
National defence
Money and banking
Criminal law
Citizenship
Foreign affairs
Natural resources
Highways
Health, hospitals
Education
Labour
Social services
Municipal government
Water
Sewage
Waste collection
Public transit
Land use planning
Libraries
Ambulances
Animal control
Development of local economy

32. How do governments get their money?
For more info on government responsibilities see handout.
How do governments get their money?
The Federal and Provincial services are paid for through tax dollars.
Municipal governments must get their money through things like: property taxes, permits, fines/ticketing, etc.

33. Moving a Bill through Parliament
1st Reading
no debate or discussion, just introduced
2nd Reading
MP’s debate strengths and weaknesses
Committee
Small group of MP’s study deatils and make changes to bill
3rd Reading
Re-read in HOC and voted on by MP’s
The Senate
The Senate members read and make changes to bill. (They can refuse to pass it and hold it back from becoming a law)
Royal Assent
If the Senate passes the bill, the Governor General will sign it on behalf of the queen
Law
The bill is now a law

34. The 3 Branches of Government
See handout
Branch
Role
Federal
Provincial
Executive
To carry out laws
Queen (Governor General)
Prime Minister
Cabinet
The public (civil) service
Queen (Lieutenant Governor)
Premier
Legislative
To create, change or repeal laws
Senate
House of Commons
Legislative Assembly
Judicial
To interpret laws
Criminal courts
Appeal courts
Civil courts