Activity 3 page 2

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Image ©Thinkstock

Read the top of page 9 of your textbook, Issues for Canadians, to understand the criteria for what makes something an issue.

Your response, or those of other students, to an issue generally will reflect your own bias. Your bias is influenced by your values, beliefs, point of view, and experiences.

Constructing an issue question or statement is often valuable when exploring an issue. An issue statement or question is unbiased and open-ended. An issue question always begins with the word should, such as the following example:

Should the Canadian government pass a law requiring all females between 12 and 26 years to be vaccinated against certain forms of cancer?

criteria: standards for evaluating something

bias: an opinion, a prejudice, or a personal belief based on preconceived ideas

unbiased: without preconceived ideas

 Vocabulary

Go to your Issues for Canadians Definitions handout. Include a definition of bias, unbiased, and criteria. Always use your own definition when you define a word. This will allow you to recall it easier. Including illustrations might help you remember the definitions.

Return your updated Issues for Canadians Definitions handout to your Activities folder.

Developing an informed position is an important skill to develop not only for this course but also as a way to support positions on issues that may be very important to you, your family, or your community.

Examine an example for identifying, exploring, and developing an informed position on an issue by reading the following pages of the textbook, Issues for Canadians.

1. Read page 10 to understand why the topic of gun control raises issues.
   
   
2. When you have a clear idea about the topic, read page 11 to understand the various points of view and perspectives that individuals and groups in Canada express about the issue of gun control.
   
   
3. Read pages 12 and 13 that provide a model for developing a position on the issue.

Consider what your opinion is on this issue is at this point.

Using a graphic organizer of your choice, identify the pros and cons of gun control in Canada.

Save your organizer to your Activities folder.

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Image ©Thinkstock

Workbook Summary

In this workbook, you investigated the following questions.

How does Canada's system of government influence or affect my daily life?

How does economics affect my daily life?

How do issues affect my quality of life, citizenship, and identity?

The government has set up departments and agencies that support you in meeting your needs and quality of life. As well, government works to protect your rights and freedoms as a Canadian citizen. Your average day is influenced directly and indirectly by Canada's federal government.

The items you need or want and the services you use are all part of the economy. Money allows you to be an active participant in Canada's economy. In Canada, government decisions on the economy influence directly and indirectly your identity, citizenship, and quality of life. Continue to investigate the role of government and economy in your life as you investigate current issues.

As a Canadian, you need to know the issues and develop an educated point of view. As an active citizen, you have the ability to participate in the opportunities and challenges that issues present.