Section 1 Introduction
Completion requirements
Unit 2: Section 1: Canada's Justice System
Section 1 Introduction
BULLETIN: (Don't panic! This is fiction.)
To all Canadian citizens:
Effective immediately, a new law has been established by the federal government to curtail the increase of youth crime, particularly gang violence, in Canada.
All youth, ages 12 to 18, will be required to inform their local government agent about any travel outside their community. This is to reduce the problems related to the recent rise of gang violence in Canada. The federal government believes that youth are central to this issue. The gangs are training youth to move illegal goods from area to area.
The controlled movement of youth should assist in the reduction of violence and contact of gangs from community to community.
Please be advised that this new law will be in place indefinitely.
Government of Canada
©Thinkstock
©Thinkstock
Consider your initial reaction to this (fictitious) bulletin. You may be questioning how fair this new law is with its idea that not every citizen in Canada is treated the same. Or, you might be concerned about the law being equitable,
taking into account that this new law affects all youth, even those who have nothing to do with gangs.
fair: treated the same
equitable: taking into account individual or group needs and circumstances
Vocabulary
Record the definitions for fair and equitable on your Issues for Canadians Definitions handout.
What is Fair? What is Equitable?
Luckily, the example of the new law in the bulletin above is not real. This example is to get you thinking about how laws that are made by the federal government can impact you in many ways. As well, laws in Canada are set up to be fair and equitable for Canadian citizens.
In this section, you will answer the question:
fair: treated the same
equitable: taking into account individual or group needs and circumstances
Vocabulary
Record the definitions for fair and equitable on your Issues for Canadians Definitions handout.
After you view the multimedia below, you may add icons, symbols, or pictures to your definition to help your understanding.
Save your updated handout to your Activities folder.
Would you accept the decision of the federal government and follow the new law? Are there other options that you might be able to consider?
Do you understand what fair and equitable mean? Read the document, What is Fair? What is Equitable?, by clicking on the link below.
What is Fair? What is Equitable?
Luckily, the example of the new law in the bulletin above is not real. This example is to get you thinking about how laws that are made by the federal government can impact you in many ways. As well, laws in Canada are set up to be fair and equitable for Canadian citizens.
In this section, you will answer the question:
How does Canada's justice system protect me?
In this section, you will complete
- a section inquiry activity
- activities
- assignments