Title of Learning Experience: Opening of Parliament and the Speech from the Throne
Grade: 9
Social Studies Specific Learning Outcome to be Addressed:
9.2.1 Law, Order, and Good Government
KC-006 Describe Canadian parliamentary democracy
Brief Description of the Learning Experience:
Students will learn about the opening of Parliament in Canada and consider how the federal
government affects their daily lives. Students will also develop an understanding of the key
terms or vocabulary listed below, listen to a Throne Speech and observe the procedure in the
opening of Parliament.
Key Terms or Vocabulary:
Constitutional Monarchy, Monarch/Sovereign, Throne Speech, Governor General,
Prime Minister, House of Commons, Senate, Parliament
List of Resources:
Speech from the Throne video presentation: http://www.speech.gc.ca/eng/index.asp
sticky notepads, markers, large chart paper, whiteboard, bulletin board, pins or tacks
Activating Strategy:
In small groups, students will brainstorm what they know or believe about the federal
government; recording their ideas on sticky notes.
Acquiring Strategy:
The groups will sort their ideas into four or five categories, giving each a title and arranging
them on chart paper. Each group presents their chart to the rest of the class and all students
discuss similarities and differences, clearing up misconceptions and generating further
questions or issues they may have about the federal government.
N.B. It may be useful to provide a Word Splash or web, including pre-written key terms (as
listed above) for the learning experience to help stimulate brainstorming ideas.
Applying Strategy:
Students listen to a recent Throne Speech (see website listed above, e.g. March 2010) and
observe the formal proceedings in the Opening of Parliament, focusing specifically on the roles
of the Governor General, Prime Minister, Members of Parliament, Senate Members, and other
officials. As an addition, students may set up a Senate chamber in their classroom and roleplay the opening of parliament, based on what was observed and discussed earlier. Invited
guests might include: the school administrators, other classes, and even family members.
Assessment:
In terms of assessment, students may be quizzed orally with short questions and answers to
open a subsequent class, based on the presentations and role-play. Other forms of
assessment could include: spelling dictation of key terms, diagram of the Senate Chamber with
the main participants identified in their respective positions, and long-answer descriptions of the
unit. Rubrics for these assessment tools are at the discretion of the individual teacher.
Supporting Materials:
The monarch or sovereign is Canada’s head of state. That means that even the Prime Minister
must listen to the requests of the monarch. Since the Queen of Canada currently resides in
England, representatives for the monarch reside in Canada; this representative at the federal
level is the Governor General. The monarch also has 10 representatives, Lieutenant Governors,
for each of the ten provinces in Canada.
The Governor General is appointed by the Prime Minister for a term of approximately five years.
Even though the Governor General represents the head of state in Canada and is the
Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Armed Forces, his/her role is largely symbolic.
The following is a list of events and ceremonies performed by the Governor General:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Opens parliament with the Speech from the Throne. Government can only sit at the
permission of the Governor General.
Closes parliament.
Gives Royal Assent to bills. No bill can become a law unless the Governor General gives
his/her consent.
Appoints officials
Greets foreign leaders and dignitaries
Formally acknowledges Canadians for their contributions with awards and medals.
ON-LINE CONTACTS & RESOURCES
A free resource kit may be ordered from Canadian Heritage at
Canadians and Their Government: A Resource Guide:
www.pch.gc.ca/progs/pec-csp/resource/index_e.cfm
The Resource Guide is also available at:
www.pch.gc.ca/special/gouv-gov/index_e.cfm
A short publication explaining government in Canada entitled,
How Canadians Govern Themselves is available from the Library of Parliament at:
www.parl.gc.ca/information/library/idb/forsey/index-e.asp