Introduction to Civics

• • civics: is the study of the rights and duties of citizenship.
  • Civics discusses Elections, Politics, and Citizenship.
  • We study civics to later become a well-rounded citizen.
  • citizenship: is having rights, duties, and responsibilities as a member of a state or nation.
  • Gov’t: is a system made up of a group of people who make laws that are enforced to guide the affairs of a community.
• As citizens we need to be...

  1. Informed: Knowing what is going on in society: the news.
  2. Active: Knowing how to contribute to society and create change. 
  3. Purposeful: Knowing your role as a citizen in society
• We were first New France -> but then we became British North America (1700s) -> the creation of the Dominion of Canada was called the BNA Act of 1867 which was later renamed as the  Constitution Act of 1867: where 4 provinces joined (NB, ON, QU, NS) "Oh, Quiet Nights Never Boring!".
• The Constitution Act of 1867 sets up the government, rules the government, is the supreme law, and can be described as:

  • Federal Government
  • Parliamentary democracy (representative government)
  • Constitutional monarchy
• The Constitution Act of 1982 includes the Charter of Rights and Amenities, which can be changed if at least Ontario or Quebec agrees
• The head of state is King Charles the 3rd, the British Monarch
• Representation in Canada is by Mary Simmons
• The head of government is Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister
• The Charter of Rights and Freedoms in 1982 is entrenched or protected by the Constitution
• The Amending Formula is a way to change the constitution:

  • The Federal Government has to say YES
  • 2/3 of Provinces have to say YES (at least Ontario or Quebec)
• Canadians choose their gov’t by...

  • voting in elections: Happen once every 5 years but usually 3 ½ years, Prime Minister- ideas and Govenor Generals- will call it. 

  Types of elections to choose our gov’t

  • One for each level of government

  What is needed to vote

  • I.D Citizen, over 18, be on voting list, proof of citizenship
• Municipal Elections (City)

  • has 25 municipal wards
  • Politicians are called Councilor
  • They cannot have parties since it's own individual person. 
  • They meet at city hall
  • Cannot have a majority government
• Provincial (Province

  • has 124 provincial ridings
  • Politicians are called MPP (member of political parliament) 
  • YEs, they do have parties.
  • They meet at queens park/ legislative assembly of ontario LAO.
  • They need to win 63 ridings out of 124 to have a majority government.
• Federal (Government)

  • has 338 federal ridings
  • Politicians are called MP (member of parliament)
  • Yes, has parties
  • They meet at the house of commons
  • Needs to win 170 ridings to get majority government
• difference between senators and mp

  1. senators- are appointed by federal govt 
  2. mp- the people vote for them
• Leaders in each level of government are called:

  federal: prime minister (Justin Tredeau) Liberal

  provincial: premier (Doug Ford) COnservative

  municipal: mayor (Olivia Chow) NDP
• Important people

  head of state: King Charles the 3rd/ British Monarch

  • REPRESENTATION IN CANADA: Mary Simmons
• The head of government is the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau