2
Student Vote – Ontario 2011 |
9
Lesson 2: Canada’s Democracy
OBJECTIVE
Students will understand that Canada is a parliamentary
democracy and develop an appreciation for the
fundamental rights and responsibilities that exist within a
democracy.
Afterwards, ask students to reflect upon how they would
feel if their right to have a say or make decisions (in class,
at home, in your social group) was temporarily revoked
because they decided not to participate in the decisionmaking process.
CURRICULUM EXPECTATIONS
ICV.01; IC1.02; IC1.05; IC3.01
Instruction: 15–20 min
1. Review what it means to live in a democracy. Political
power is retained by all the people and citizens have
guaranteed rights and freedoms.
KEY WORDS
representative democracy, parliamentary democracy,
right, responsibility, elections, electoral system, SingleMember Plurality, First-Past-The-Post, voter turnout
QUESTIONS TO BE EXPLORED DURING THIS LESSON
• What is a parliamentary democracy? How does it
work in Canada?
• What rights and freedoms do we have in Canada?
• What responsibilities come along with our rights?
RESOURCES
2.1: Highlights from The Charter of Rights and Freedoms
2.2: History of Voting Rights
2.3: Voter Turnout in Ontario Elections
TEACHING STRATEGIES
Hook: 10–15 min
Activity: “Use it or lose it.” Students have five minutes to
accomplish three goals.
1. Find a partner.
2. Draw detailed portraits of one another using at least
five different colours.
3. Accumulate as many writing utensils as possible.
2. Canada is a parliamentary democracy and
representatives are elected by a First-Past-The-Post
system.
• Since it is not possible for all Canadians to have a
say on every matter, we vote for representatives
to make decisions and pass laws on our behalf.
• Representation is based on specific geographical
areas known as constituencies or electoral
districts.
• Elections are the process by which representatives
are chosen.
• Canada’s electoral system is referred to as
Single-Member Plurality or First-Past-The-Post
system. This means that the individual in the
constituency who wins the most votes becomes
the representative.
Rules:
• Each student begins with three writing utensils in
front of them.
• They can write with only one utensil at a time.
• Students can ask for utensils from each other.
Whenever students are asked for a utensil they are
not using, they must give it up.
After the five minutes are up, identify how many students
were able to achieve each of the goals and have a followup discussion.
• Why was it difficult to accomplish all three goals?
• How would you feel if a belonging was taken from you
every time you were not using it?
• What personal belongings would you miss after they
were gone?
• Do some of your answers or the answers of your peers
surprise you?
3. A right is an abstract idea of something that is due to
a person or governmental body by law or tradition or
nature. Rights are not as much granted or endowed
as they are fought for and claimed.
10 | Lesson 2: Canada’s Democracy
4. In Canada, our rights are protected by the Canadian
Charter of Rights and Freedoms. One of the
fundamental rights set out in the Charter is the right
of every Canadian citizen, aged 18 and older, to vote
in an election.
Discussion: 5 min
What is a responsibility? What responsibilities come
along with our rights?
Activity: 25 min
1. The right to vote in Canada has not always been
universal. It has been withheld from many groups
over the years. In pairs or in groups, review the
history of enfranchisement in Canada (2.2: History of
Voting Rights).
2. Explain to students that in recent years, fewer people
have been exercising their right to vote. Canada has
seen a steady decline in voter turnout since the late
1980s in elections at all levels. In the last Ontario
election, only 52 per cent of eligible citizens voted
(2.3: Voter Turnout in Ontario Elections).
3. In groups or individually, have students come up with
an explanation for why voting is both a right and
responsibility. Students can create a short speech,
comic strip, dramatic presentation, essay, news
article, poster or multi-media presentation.
Debrief: 5 min
Have a brief closing discussion about the right and
responsibility to vote. Alternatively, ask students to write
a reflection for their election scrapbook.
• Will you vote when you become eligible? Why or why
not?
• Why do you think people vote or don’t vote?
• Should voters lose their right to vote if they choose to
skip a vote?
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
A. As a class, in groups or individually, examine the
Charter of Rights and Freedoms and outline the
responsibilities that are associated with each right.
B. Divide the class into four groups and provide each with
a section from 2.2: History of Voting Rights (or History
of the Vote – www.elections.ca). Ask students to create
a dramatic presentation to inform the rest of the class
about the pathway to universal suffrage and improved
accessibility.
C. In Australia, a country with a government system
similar to Canada’s, non-voters are required by the
Australian Electoral Commission to give a valid reason for
not voting, or pay a $20 penalty. Evaluate the advantages
and disadvantages of such a system through an in-class
debate. Would this enhance the value Canadians put on
voting? Would it increase voter turnout?
BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR TEACHERS
How does Canada’s democracy work?
Canada’s system of parliamentary democracy is
sustained through its electoral system. Canadians elect
representatives to speak on their behalf and to pass laws.
Elections are the process of choosing those who will
run and work in government. Free and fair elections
are a cornerstone of a democratic society. Scrutineers
and elections officials are put in place to make sure the
system is run fairly and efficiently.
How does First-Past-the-Post/ Single-Member Plurality
work?
First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) is a system of voting used in
Ontario (and across Canada). Another name for FPTP
is Single-Member Plurality. The jurisdiction is split up
into geographical areas called electoral districts. Under
this system, the individual (or candidate) with the most
votes in each electoral district is declared the winner
and becomes the representative. There is only one
representative elected per electoral district.
Example of FPTP: In an electoral district with 100 people.
VOTE TOTALS BY CANDIDATE
Lucy
40
Muhammed
15
Nancy
11
Norman
34
In this case, Lucy becomes the representative because
she has the most votes. (Note: she wins even though 60
per cent of the voters chose other candidates. Under
FPTP, it is not necessary to win 50 per cent of the votes —
the candidate simply needs to win the most votes.)
What rights and responsibilities do we have in a democracy?
The rights and freedoms of citizens are vital to a
democratic government.
In Canada, citizens’ rights and freedoms are protected
by The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The
Charter contains seven sections that define our rights
as Canadians: fundamental rights, democratic rights,
mobility rights, legal rights, official languages of Canada
and minority language education rights.
Democratic rights include the right for every Canadian
citizen, 18 years and older, to vote in an election and
to be a candidate, as well as the requirement that
governments hold elections at least every five years and
that these governments meet at least every year.
With all rights come responsibilities. A responsibility
is a social force that binds you to your obligations and
courses of action demanded by that force.
The right to vote comes with the responsibility to cast a
ballot in an informed, purposeful manner.