Links for teaching civics in canada canadas constitutional. Elected representatives at the federal level are called members of parliament mps. A day in the life of a member of parliament our country. Click on the file at left our country our parliament for a great booklet created by the parliament of canada to help explain itself to the citizens of this country. When it is time for parliament to sit, parliamentarians will discuss and debate new bills proposed laws and make decisions that affect every canadian. Canadian consumer handbook is produced by federal, provincial. The prime minister asks the governor general to end or dissolve parliament and call an election. How canadians govern themselves uwo political science politicalscience. While parliament is in session, mps typically spend monday to thursday in ottawa, and fridays and weekends in their riding, although this can change depending on their meeting schedules and on parliament s business. Ym4152007epdf our country, our parliament is intended primarily for english as a second language students in grades 9 to 12 secondary cycles 1 and 2 in quebec, but the content can be easily adapted for use with students in grades 5 to 8 in regular stream social. The civics research institute listing of curricula across the country. The leader of this party is called the leader of the officialopposition. National elections must be held at least once every four years to decide who will represent canadians in the house of commons. Our country, our parliament todd doyle heritage services.
Click link for the free ebook or ask for your free hard copy booklet from. Mps spend a set amount of time in the chamber, in their offices and in committees. The library of parliament would like to acknowledge the generous contribution made by canadian heritage government of canada for the development of this website. How canadians govern themselves uwo political science. The officialopposition is usually the party with the secondhighest number of elected members after the winning party. The booklet was enormously popular, with demand far exceeding expectations. The business of parliament our country, our parliament.
Parliament of canadas our country, our parliament resource. Our country, our parliament is intended for students of english and french at an intermediate level who may or may not know about democracy or canadas parliamentary system of government. Weve tried to include something for everyone, from those who havent got a clue about politics and government to those whod like to know a. The content complements provincial and territorial social studies and civics curricula. Most of all, youll see how our parliament helps make the uk a fair and. The mps whose party does notform the government are called opposition mps. Td heritage outlined, developed and wrote all text for the. Discover your legislature booklet and resource for british columbias legislative assembly alberta. Parliament is the legislative lawmaking part of government, made up of the.
When parliament is sitting, there is a routine schedule to follow called the daily order of business. Teachers can easily adapt the concepts, topics and vocabulary for use in grades 58 social studies units on the parliamentary process or for literary arts units. The party with the most number of elected mps across the country usually forms the government. In addition to being an engaging, colourful and imagerich resource, our country, our parliament includes features to introduce new vocabulary and word usage, and that encourage students to discuss and compare systems of government across cultures.