Workings of Government
Briefly review the basic structure of the Canadian government (e.g., Governor General, Senate, House of Commons, Member of Parliament, branches of government).
(Guide to the Canadian House of Commons)
(How Canadians Govern Themselves)
Use a video, parliamentary sources, or flowchart to demonstrate the passage of legislation through Parliament. Explain to students that the passage of legislation through the BC legislature differs in that there is no Senate and the Lieutenant Governor gives Royal Assent. (about BC legislature: Purpose: discover your legislature )
Divide students into small groups to discuss a
series of scenarios related to party discipline,
patronage, and cabinet formation. Each group
should record group responses to the scenarios
and report out to the class. Here is a sample
scenario:
A bill is to be presented in the House, which an
MP opposes as not in the interests of her
constituents. Her party supports the bill. How
should she vote? How should her party respond if
she breaks rank? What if the issue was one of
“conscience” rather than constituent interest?
Research
Have students research the current makeup of
the federal cabinet, noting information about the
gender, region, ethnicity, and length of
parliamentary experience of each cabinet
minister.
Students should make journal entries
indicating the extent to which the current cabinet
reflects Canada and describe other factors that
would influence cabinet makeup (e.g., education
and professional experience of the MP, her or his
political and personal skills and qualities, and
political considerations such as patronage).
Resource:
Parliament of Canada: Learning strategies for high school students
COMMENTS?