An Introduction to Citizenship,
Governance and Quality of Life
in Canada
Social Studies 9 Module 1
Key Understandings
 How does governance influence Canadian citizenship
and identity?
 What are some key factors that affect the quality of
life of people in Canada?
Key Concepts Developed in this Module
Key Concepts
Definition
Examples
Individual Identity
Collective Identity
Citizenship
Quality of Life
Governance
Point of View
Perspective
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Section A: An Inquiry into Canadian Citizenship and Identity
Activity 1: How do government policies define “Citizenship”?
Use the following page to take notes from the PowerPoint on Canadian Citizenship and Identity.
Do not copy the notes – summarize!
What is the history of Canada’s citizenship laws?
Who is a Canadian Citizen by birth?
What is the process to gain Canadian Citizenship through naturalization?
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Activity 2: What are the values and responsibilities of Canadian Citizens?
With a partner, read the following pages from the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website
and establish the five most important criteria for evaluating true Canadian citizens.
Reading 1
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
A Look at Canada
What Does Canadian Citizenship Mean?
Canadian values include freedom, respect for cultural differences and a commitment to social
justice. We are proud of the fact that we are a peaceful nation. In fact, Canadians act as
peacekeepers in many countries around the world.
Canada is a large country with a small population. We have developed a unique federal style of
government that is based on compromise and co-existence. We value our democracy, and
every citizen is encouraged to do his or her share. Our laws are based on our democratic
values. Canadian values include:
Equality—We respect everyone’s rights. Everyone has the right to speak out and express
ideas that others might disagree with. Governments must treat everyone with equal dignity
and respect—two other fundamental Canadian values.
Respect for cultural differences—We try to understand and appreciate the cultures,
customs and traditions of all Canadians, whether they were born in Canada or came here
from another country.
Freedom—As Canadians, we enjoy basic freedoms, such as freedom of thought, freedom
of speech, freedom of religion and freedom of peaceful assembly.
Peace—We are proud of our non-violent society and our international role as
peacekeepers.
Law and order—We respect democratic decision making and the “rule of law.” We
promote due process so that the courts and the police treat everyone fairly and
reasonably. We ensure that our elected governments remain accountable to Canadians.
As you reflect on these values, ask yourself which responsibilities you will take on when you
become a Canadian citizen.
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Reading 2
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Reflecting on Reading 1
1.
What is the source of this reading? Should it have authority?
2.
Highlight in orange two words or phrases that you least understand. Using a learning
strategy discover what they mean in this reading.
3.
Highlight in yellow what you find to be the most important ideas in this reading. Share
these with a partner giving your reason why they are so important.
4.
“We ensure that our elected governments remain accountable to Canadians.” What do
you think this means?
5. Which two values would you consider the most important? Justify your answer.
Reflecting on Reading 2
1.
What is the source of this reading? Should it have authority?
2.
Highlight in orange two words or phrases that you least understand. Using a learning
strategy discover what they mean in this reading.
3.
Highlight in yellow what you find to be the most important ideas in this reading. Share
these with a partner giving your reason why they are so important.
4.
What is the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms?
5.
How are rights and responsibilities different? Can you think of any ways in which rights
and responsibilities are connected?
Key reflection question: What do you think it means to be an “active and responsible” citizen?
6 An Introduction to Citizenship, Governance and Quality of Life in Canada
Activity 2: Choose five of the values or responsibilities of Canadian Citizens found in Readings 1 & 2which you believe are the most
important. Give an example of that value or responsibility in action and explain why it is important.
Values and Responsibilities
of Canadian Citizens
Example of that value or responsibility in
action
7 An Introduction to Citizenship, Governance and Quality of Life in Canada
What specific knowledge, skills and attitudes do citizens
need to meet this reponsibility or demonstrate this value?
Section B: An Inquiry into the factors that make up Quality of Life
Activity 1: What factors are most important for my quality of Life?
After reading pages 2-5 of Issues for Canadians, brainstorm a list of twenty important factors that
affect quality of life. Choose and rank the ten most important to you on the chart below. This is
your point of view on quality of life.
8 An Introduction to Citizenship, Governance and Quality of Life in Canada
Activity 2: What are some common perspectives on Quality of Life in Canada?
A point of view is a personal opinion on an issue. You formed a point of view on what makes a
good quality of life in the last activity. Your point of view is connected to your individual identity.
In this activity you will look at perspectives on quality of life. Perspectives are like points of view
generally held by a group of people identified by language, history or culture. A perspective is
connected to belonging to a collective identity.
Common collective identities in Canada today may include, recent immigrants, Aboriginal or First
Nation, Francophone, Métis and others.
In this activity, use the photocopied reading of pages 6 & 7 of your textbook (you will find the
photocopy on pages 11 & 12 of this booklet) and try to identify the differences between point of
view and perspective. Use a yellow highlighter to identify statements that show point of view and
a pink highlighter to identify statements that are perspectives.
Perspectives on Quality of Life
Whose Perspective?
ie. What collective identity
What is important to that perspective on quality of life
in Canada
9 An Introduction to Citizenship, Governance and Quality of Life in Canada
How are these perspectives similar and different from your own point of view?
Cartoon Analysis: Cartoons often show how
different values come into conflict. What
values about quality of life are coming into
conflict in this cartoon?
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11 An Introduction to Citizenship, Governance and Quality of Life in Canada
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Section C: An Investigation into the Quality of Life in Canada
Quality of Life in Canada: a Citizen’s Report Card rated Canada’s quality of life in nine significant
areas. With two partners you will investigate three of these areas and use that information to
evaluate the claim that: Canada’s quality of life is declining.
In order to evaluate this claim you need to collect evidence from the three areas of the report you
are assigned that both support and contradict the claim. Then as a group you need to judge using
that evidence if the claim is correct. Use the following chart to assist you.
Claim: Canada’s quality of life is declining.
Area investigated :
Supporting evidence
Contradicting evidence
Area investigated :
Supporting evidence
Contradicting evidence
Area investigated :
Supporting evidence
Contradicting evidence
Your decision? Why?
13 An Introduction to Citizenship, Governance and Quality of Life in Canada
Section D: Final Module Assignment
The Active & Responsible Citizen
Outcome: This assignment will provide you the opportunity to reflect on what you have learned
about citizenship and quality of life, evaluate from a Canadian perspective what is most
important about these and present a visual synthesis of your ideas.
Assignment: Create a caricature of an active and responsible citizen using the poster paper
provided. As this is not an art project tracing books are provided to help you make caricatures.
Your caricatures will need to meet the following criteria to be considered complete and ready for
marking:
 Exhibit at least three physical attributes and ‘props’ that demonstrate your
understanding of the
o Responsibilities, or
o Democratic values
of Canadian citizenship.
 Exhibit at least three physical attributes and ‘props’ that demonstrate your
understanding of the importance of
o Quality of Life, or
o Governance
in the life of an active citizen.
 Has visual appeal as demonstrated by being
o A complete caricature including a head and body
o Coloured
o Is neat and legible
 Includes a brief written response (about 250 words) explaining how specific physical
attributes and ‘props’ demonstrate the concepts of citizenship and quality of life and why
you chose these over others.
Exemplars of this assignment will be shown in class but can also be seen on the class Wiki page
found at http://tofieldschoolsocial9.pbworks.com
** Be careful to use the exemplars to guide your work but not to copy. **
The use of another person’s work or ideas as your own is plagiarism.
14 An Introduction to Citizenship, Governance and Quality of Life in Canada
Procedures
1.
Review Section A of your module booklet for ideas about what are the most important values and
responsibilities of Canadian Citizenship. Make a list for yourself.
2. Brainstorm about how specific body parts can be exaggerated to symbolize the value or
responsibility. ie. large ears to listen to the perspectives of others.
3. Brainstorm about how ‘props’ can be exaggerated to symbolize the value or responsibility. ie. a
recycle box in the background might show respect for the environment
4. Review Sections B & C of your module booklet for ideas about what are the most are the most
important factors for quality of life in Canada. Make a list for yourself.
5. Again, brainstorm props and physical features that can be used to symbolize the factors of quality
of life in Canada. Look for ways to tie it in with the actions of citizens. For example, the recycle box
above could also symbolize that a clean, unspoilt environment is a factor in quality of life.
6. Present your brainstorming to me on paper in order to receive your trace booklet and poster
paper. I might give you some feedback using the marking rubric below at this time.
7. Plan your caricature and use pencil so that you don’t run short on space or have to make
something too cramped. Avoid wordy explanations, but small captions are encouraged.
8. Colour your caricature and outline words in black to make them stand out. Markers should only be
used for outlining words, otherwise use pencil crayons.
9. Your caricature will be displayed in the school.
Marking Rubric
Criteria
Understanding of the
Values and
responsibilities of
active citizenship
(Double Weight)
Understanding of the
importance of factors
that contribute to the
Quality of Life of
Canadians (Double
Weight)
Demonstrates visual
appeal
Proficient
Mastery
Minimal evidence
of understanding
Limited
Some predictable
evidence of
understanding is
present
Adequate
Significant and
thoughtful evidence
of understanding is
present
Significant and
perceptive evidence
of understanding is
present
Minimal evidence
of understanding
Some predictable
evidence of
understanding is
present
Significant and
thoughtful evidence
of understanding is
present
Significant and
perceptive evidence
of understanding is
present
Lacks visual appeal
Simplistic
demonstration of
ideas
Detailed and
interesting
demonstration of
ideas
Compelling
demonstration of
ideas
Total Marks /20
Due Date:
15 An Introduction to Citizenship, Governance and Quality of Life in Canada
Module Evaluation
Self evaluation Checklist
I can...
Incomplete
Basic
Evidence
Proficient
Section A Activities
describe how government
policies influence citizenship.
Citizenship Quiz (Q1)
identify the values and
responsibilities of Canadian
citizenship in real world
actions
Section A Activities
Citizenship Quiz (Q1)
explain the difference
between individual and
collective identity
Section B Activities
distinguish between
perspectives and points of
view in a reading
Section B Activities
describe common
perspectives on Quality of
Life in Canada
Section C Activities
analyze charts and graphs to
make a generalization on
quality of life in Canada
Section C Activities
Perspectives Quiz (Q2)
Perspectives Quiz (Q2)
Quality of Life Quiz (Q3)
Quality of Life Quiz (Q3)
Section C Activities
demonstrate leadership in a
group to achieve consensus
Teacher Marking Rubric for this Module
1
2
3
4
5
 Booklet is
significantly
incomplete or wildly
inaccurate
 No significant
corrections have been
made
 Booklet is partially
incomplete or
inaccurate
 Few significant
corrections have been
made or the booklet is
only corrections
 Unclear insight
 Booklet is partially
complete and
generally accurate
 Appropriate
corrections have been
made
 Predictable insights
 Booklet is complete
and accurate
 Appropriate
corrections have been
made
 Thoughtful insights
 Booklet is thorough
and accurate
 Appropriate
corrections have been
made
 Perceptive insights
16 An Introduction to Citizenship, Governance and Quality of Life in Canada