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Workbook 3

Activity 1: Governance

Get Focused

Eighteen years of age is a milestone for many Canadian citizens. When you turn 18, you are considered to have reached "the age of majority"; that is, you are legally an adult. You are old enough to take on more roles and responsibilities as an active Canadian citizen. Perhaps it will be a federal (or provincial) election year, and you will get your first chance to vote.

If an election is called, you will need answers to many questions. Signs will appear in your neighbourhood, advertisements will crowd in the media, debates will be televised, and heated discussions will be aired on the news and in your community.

You will have choices to make:

• You will have to determine which candidate you believe will represent you and your community best in Parliament.
  
  
• You will also have to consider which party leader would be best for the position of Prime Minister of Canada.

Turning 18 years old means many decisions await you. To make any decision, whether it is buying a car, attending college, starting a new job, or voting in an election, you require background knowledge.

In this activity, you will continue to investigate the branches of Canada's federal government and develop necessary background knowledge.

In the first activity, you will investigate this question:

How does the federal political system meet the needs of all Canadians?


Interview two or more adults by asking them what it means to be an adult citizen in Canada. Ask them what they do to prepare themselves to vote in an election.

Write or record the responses and save them to your Activities folder.