9.2 Canada and the United States
Mixed and Market Economies
Mixed Economy
A mixed economy is an economy that combines private and government
businesses. For example, small businesses and privately owned
companies own some resources or services and the government owns
others.
Market Economy
A market economy is an economy where individual businesses can make
their own decisions and the government does not get involved. In these
economies, the country’s resources are owned by companies and
individuals, not the government.
1. To better understand the difference between mixed and market
economies, follow the steps below.
Step One: Describe the differences and similarities between a mixed
economy and a market economy using a Venn diagram.
Step Two: Discuss the differences and
similarities with a group and decide which
economy exists in Canada. Write an argument
to prove your decision and support your
argument with real-life examples.
Use these tools:
F Venn Diagram
F Developing Your
Argument
Where to Start on the Web
http://www.cssd.ab.ca/tech/social/tut9/lesson_12.htm
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Mixed and Market Economies
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2. Why is Canada viewed as having a mixed
economy? Work with a group to create an
argument for why Canada has a mixed economy
in which you include examples and evidence.
Think about the government’s involvement in the
economy in Canada.
Use these tools:
F Developing Your
Argument
Summarize the key points of your group’s argument in the space below.
Labour Union
A labour union is an organization formed to serve the interests of its
members, with respect to wages earned and working conditions.
3. List the labour unions represented in your community.
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Mixed and Market Economies
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Labour unions:
•
ensure a standard rate of pay
(e.g., hourly wage, when overtime is
received and how much)
•
ensure various working conditions and
standards are met (e.g., safety
regulations and conditions, tools and
supplies)
•
ensure workers receive benefits, such as
medical, dental coverage.
Where to Start on the
Web
http://www.caw.ca/index.asp
http://www.cupe.ca/
http://www.ilwu.ca/
http://www.iamaw.ca/
http://www.seiu.org/
http://www.teamsterscanada.org/
http://www.twu-canada.ca/
http://www.ufcw.ca/
http://www.uswa.ca/
http://www.boilermakers.org/
http://www.ibew353.org/
http://www.iww.org/
www.ua.org/
Use this tool:
4. Review the Web site of a labour union
represented in Canada and fill in the
organizer that follows.
F Preparing for an
Internet Search
Name of union:
Web site address:
How many members does it have in Alberta?
How many members does it have in Canada?
What types of workers belong to the union?
What does the union do for its members?
What issues is the union concerned with?
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Mixed and Market Economies
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5. Based on what you have learned about
unions, how do you think they can affect a
market economy? Discuss this topic with a
group and write an answer below.
Use this tool:
F Discussion Notes
Labour unions can affect a market economy by:
6. Based on what you have learned about
unions, how do you think they can affect a
mixed economy? Discuss this topic with a
group and write an answer below.
Use this tool:
F Discussion Notes
Labour unions can affect a mixed economy by:
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Mixed and Market Economies
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7. Share your answers for the previous two questions with a new group.
Listen to the answers of other members of the group and compare your
answers with theirs.
Points That Were the Same as
My Answers
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Points That Were Different
than My Answers
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Mixed and Market Economies
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8. It is a responsibility of the government to help improve or
maintain our quality of life. To do this, the government
sometimes uses its powers to affect the economy of a
community for various groups of people.
For example, the Canadian government
provides financial aid to farmers when their
business is suffering, due to things beyond
their control. When Mad Cow disease was
found in Canadian cattle, the border to the
United States was closed to Canadian cattle
farmers and the farmers could not sell their
cows to the United States. The government helped farmers by giving
them some of the money they lost, due to lost sales. Otherwise, the
quality of life of the farmers would have suffered.
According to Department of Finance Canada:
http://www.fin.gc.ca/fin-eng.html
In 2004, the Canadian government gave four billion dollars of aid to
Canadian farmers and other food producers.
Find two other examples of this type of government aid that helped
businesses and the people who run them and work there maintain their
quality of life. Think about:
•
•
tax breaks or lowered taxes given to certain businesses
help given to important businesses at risk of closing their
doors.
Fill out the following organizers with the information you find.
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Mixed and Market Economies
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Example 1: Financial Aid for Businesses
Who were the businesses involved?
What help did the government provide?
Why did the government give this help?
Example 2: Financial Aid for Businesses
Who were the businesses involved?
What help did the government provide?
Why did the government give this help?
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9. Compare how the Canadian government and the American government
affect the economy. Discuss your answers to the following questions in
groups and jot down your main ideas below.
What are some examples of how the American government affects
businesses?
Is the American economy a mixed or market economy? Why?
10. Based on your answers to the previous
questions, create a Venn diagram that
compares the Canadian and American
governments.
Use this tool:
F Venn Diagram
11. Scan television video clips, Internet, newspaper
articles and other media for articles about mixed and
market economies or labour unions. For example, look
for news stories about government involvement in the
economy, labour strikes, labour disputes or economic
regulations/rules.
Choose a news story and fill out the
five Ws (who, what, where, when,
why) and one H (how) of the story.
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Use this information
sheet and tool:
F News Story Search
F Question Organizer I
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Mixed and Market Economies
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