Activity 1 page 2

 

Explore

What is governance, and how does it affect you?

Governance describes how countries are governed. In Canada, we are governed by a constitution or set of rules that explain how decisions are made by the government. Governance also involves rights, written in such documents as the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and applied to institutions such as courts of law. Citizens participate in the decision-making process in many ways. The federal government uses departments and agencies to ensure that all areas of the constitution are upheld and assist citizens.

Vocabulary

governance: the way a group or a nation is governed; the process of governing

Add a definition of governance on your Issues for Canadians Definitions handout that you saved in your Activities folder in Workbook 1, Activity 1.

Always use your own definition when you define a word. Recalling it will be easier. Be sure to include illustrations to help you remember the definition of governance.

Return your updated handout to your Activities folder.

Please note: Whenever you need a new Issues for Canadians Definitions handout, you can locate a link for the handout in the Toolkit.

Internet Web Search 

Examine the departments of the federal government by going to the Internet.

In your search engine, type in the keywords "Canadian federal government departments".

Go to the "Departments and Agencies" site. You will notice that there are many departments and agencies identified in this list! Scan this list of departments.

Note: Remember, Canada has three levels of government (federal, provincial, and municipal). This course focuses on the federal level of government (the level of government that affects all Canadians). The bulleted list of departments below provides some examples of federal government jurisdiction.

Below is a list of departments with which you may already be familiar.

• Bank of Canada
• Canada Border Services Agency
• Canadian Heritage
• Fisheries and Oceans
• National Defence and the Canadian Forces
• Parks Canada
• Transportation Safety Board

Identify ten departments or agencies that you believe may impact your daily life.

Complete the Government Departments and Agencies activity. Click on one of the links below to access it. Store it in your Activities folder. 

Government Departments and Agencies (Word)
Government Departments and Agencies (pdf)
Government Departments and Agencies (Google Doc)

The Canadian Parliament and the Library
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Going Beyond

Internet Web Search

You may choose to extend your exploration of governance by researching the following question: How are other countries governed?

Not all countries are governed in the same way as Canada. Not all countries are democracies. Find a country that is governed differently; such as Cuba, Russia, Sweden, or Saudi Arabia. Share what you learn with others. You might construct a list, make a bulletin board, or develop a podcast sharing your thoughts and information.