Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694824429303.pdf (Canada)
Rights and Responsibilities in the Community A community is a group of people who have something in common.

You may belong to a few different ones: for example, your school, family and neighbourhood are all communities.

Being part of a community comes with different responsibilities, or things you are expected to do – like respecting others and following the rules.

It also gives you rights, or things you are allowed to do – like speaking your mind and sharing your thoughts.
Which of these actions do you think are rights and which are responsibilities?

Circle the correct answer.

You participate in a class discussion.

You help your family with household chores.

RIGHT or RESPONSIBILITY RIGHT or RESPONSIBILITY You vote in a federal election (once you turn 18).

Your family decides to move to a new city.

RIGHT or RESPONSIBILITY RIGHT or RESPONSIBILITY You wait for the light to turn green before you cross the street.
You and the other students help your teacher by keeping the classroom tidy.

RIGHT or RESPONSIBILITY RIGHT or RESPONSIBILITY You eat an apple.

Your school has a composting program, so you put the core in the compost instead of the garbage bin.

The adults in your family pay taxes (money that governments use for shared things, like hospitals, schools and roads.)

RIGHT or RESPONSIBILITY RIGHT or RESPONSIBILITY You think that recess should be longer.
You write a letter about it to the principal and ask your classmates to sign if they agree.

This is called starting a petition.

You are talking witha friend and disagree with something they say.

You explain your opinion to them.

RIGHT or RESPONSIBILITY RIGHT or RESPONSIBILITY Page 1 of 14 Understanding Rights and Freedoms Rights and freedoms are things that you are always allowed to do, or which are owed to you by others.
In Canada, many of these rights are guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms – an important part of the Constitution.

Can you identify what type of right or freedom is involved in each of the scenarios below?

Write down the type of right or freedom below each scenario, using the words from this box.

Each right and freedom can be used more than once.


Democratic rights Mobility rights Freedom of religion Freedom of expression Freedom of assembly Equality rights Official language rights Freedom of association Once you are 18, you vote in a federal election.

You participate in a peaceful protest.

You move to a different part of Canada.

You choose to practise a religion (or not).

Once you turn 18, you run to be a member of Parliament.

You go on a trip to a foreign country.


You post about a topic being discussed at Parliament on social media.

You and a few friends start an environmental group at your school.

You write to a senator in English or French to ask about a student jobs program.

Parliament and the federal government cannot discriminate against you for reasons such as your gender, ethnicity, religion or age.
Page 2 of 14 Branches of Government Canada’s system of government has three parts, or branches: the executive, the legislative and the judicial.

Each one has its own powers and responsibilities.

Who’s who in the three branches of government?

Complete the puzzle below to find out.

Use the words from the box below to complete the puzzle.

The Prime Minister House of Commons Cabinet Lower courts Supreme Court of Canada Senate Name of the branch Who is in this branch?
MONARCH (King or Queen) Represented in Canada by the Governor General LEGISLATIVE Creates laws EXECUTIVE Makes decisions and implements laws JUDICIAL Interprets laws Appointed on the Prime Minister’s recommendation Elected by voters Page 3 of 14 Levels of Government Have you ever thought about the different ways that government affects your life?

Every time you make a phone call, recycle a bottle or go to school, you are affected by the decisions made by your representatives in government.
Canada has three levels of government: • Federal: creates laws that affect people across the country • Provincial and territorial: create laws that affect people in one province or territory only • Municipal: establishes by-laws that affect a specific city, town or village Do you know which laws and by-laws are made by which level of government?

Circle the correct answer.

You put on your seat belt every time you ride in a car.

(road safety laws) When you turn 18, you vote in a federal election.
(Canada Elections Act) FEDERAL or PROVINCIAL or MUNICIPAL FEDERAL or PROVINCIAL or MUNICIPAL Your friend receives a fine for littering in the park.

(park by-laws) You keep your dog on a leash when you take it for a walk.

(animal control by-laws) FEDERAL or PROVINCIAL or MUNICIPAL FEDERAL or PROVINCIAL or MUNICIPAL You are planning a trip to the United States.

You need to get a passport to travel outside Canada.

(Citizenship Act) Your parents buy you a new pair of shoes.
The price includes a general sales tax of 5%.

(Excise Tax Act) FEDERAL or PROVINCIAL or MUNICIPAL FEDERAL or PROVINCIAL or MUNICIPAL Page 4 of 14 Your teacher makes sure that you learn certain topics at school, like math and social studies.

(education laws) Your parents park next to a meter.

They buy a ticket and display it at the front of the car.

(traffic and parking by-laws) P FEDERAL or PROVINCIAL or MUNICIPAL FEDERAL or PROVINCIAL or MUNICIPAL You hurt your ankle while playing soccer.
The medical staff at a nearby hospital treat your injury.

(hospital laws) You travel to a different part of Canada, where you buy something with the same money you use at home.

(currency laws) FEDERAL or PROVINCIAL or MUNICIPAL FEDERAL or PROVINCIAL or MUNICIPAL You have a sibling in daycare.

The daycare centre needs to make sure there are enough qualified adults to take care of all the children.

(childcare laws) You take a ride on the bus, subway or streetcar.
You make sure to keep your ticket handy, just in case you are asked to show that you have paid.

(transit by-laws) FEDERAL or PROVINCIAL or MUNICIPAL FEDERAL or PROVINCIAL or MUNICIPAL You invite your friends over for your birthday party.

You have fun but make sure not to be too noisy, so you don’t disturb your neighbours.

(noise by-laws) Your friend next door has received an interesting package in the mail.

You’re curious, but you wait until they open it to see what’s inside.
(Canada Post Corporation Act) FEDERAL or PROVINCIAL or MUNICIPAL FEDERAL or PROVINCIAL or MUNICIPAL Page 5 of 14 Parliament and Elections Canada is a representative democracy, where citizens elect members of Parliament (MPs) to represent them in the House of Commons.

When and why do elections take place?

• By constitutional rule: According to Canada’s Constitution, a federal election must be held at least once every five years.
This gives Canadians the chance to consider whether the government should stay in power.

• A question of confidence: The government must maintain the support of a majority of members in the House of Commons.

If it loses an important vote known as a confidence vote, it loses that support, and an election may be called.

There are many steps involved in planning an election and beginning a new Parliament.

Can you put them in the right order?


Write down a number from 1 to 9 in front of each step to put them into the correct order.

Candidates campaign for voters’ support.

The Prime Minister visits the Governor General and recommends that they dissolve Parliament.

The Governor General dissolves Parliament.

This means a federal election must be held.

The new group of parliamentarians proposes, debates and passes laws.

Canadians vote for the candidate of their choice.

Members of Parliament are sworn in.


Official election results are announced.

The candidates who receive the most votes in their ridings will become members of Parliament.

Parliament meets for the first time.

A Speaker of the House of Commons is elected.

The Governor General opens Parliament by reading the Speech from the Throne, which sets out the government’s priorities for the upcoming session.

Page 6 of 14 Parliament at Work: Senate The work of the Senate involves many different players.
Senators represent the people in their region, and they propose, debate and pass laws.

Other people support them in political, non-political and administrative roles.

Learn more about the key roles in the Senate at https://learn.parl.ca/UP Can you identify who does what in the Senate?

Draw lines to connect the people on the left to their correct roles on the right.
LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IN THE SENATE These people are appointed by the Governor General, on the advice of the Prime Minister, to represent Canada’s provinces and territories.

CLERK OF THE SENATE AND CLERK OF THE PARLIAMENTS This senator is appointed by the Prime Minister to bring forward the government’s bills in the Senate.

SENATORS This senator is head of the largest party in the Senate that is not the government.
USHER OF THE BLACK ROD GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE IN THE SENATE SPEAKER OF THE SENATE Page 7 of 14 This senator oversees debates and facilitates chamber business.

They are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister.

This person supports all aspects of the legislative process and oversees the legislative services provided by the Senate.
This individual has many ceremonial and administrative duties, including leading the Speaker’s Parade that starts each day and overseeing the security of the chamber.

Parliament at Work: House of Commons The work of the House of Commons involves many different players.

Members (MPs) represent their constituents, and they propose, debate and pass laws.

Other people support them in political, non-political and administrative roles.
Learn more about the key roles in the House of Commons at https://learn.parl.ca/UP Can you identify who does what in the House of Commons?

Draw lines to connect the people on the left to their correct roles on the right.

CLERK OF THE HOUSE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS PRIME MINISTER CABINET MINISTERS As the Head of Government, this MP defends the government’s actions and policies in the House of Commons.
These MPs are chosen by the Prime Minister to run government departments, such as Finance, National Defence, and Global Affairs.

This MP facilitates debates, maintains order, and interprets the rules and traditions of the House of Commons.

These MPs are not part of the governing political party.

Their role is to ask the government questions and to provide alternative perspectives on issues.

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS These MPs belong to the political party in power.
GOVERNMENT MPS This person is the chief administrative officer of the House.

Among other duties, they advise the Speaker on parliamentary procedure.

OPPOSITION MEMBERS This person is responsible for the security of the House of Commons.

Page 8 of 14 Canadian Symbols at Parliament Symbols are images that represent something else.

They may make us think of an idea, a place or a story.

For example, a dove can represent peace.

The Parliament Buildings are full of symbols from across Canada.
Can you match the descriptions with the symbols?

Write the name of the symbols below next to their correct descriptions on the next page.

BEAVER CANADIAN FLAG CROWN DRAGON FARMER FLEUR-DE-LYS INUK HUNTER MACE (HOUSE OF COMMONS) MACE (SENATE) MAPLE LEAF MOOSE STAINED GLASS WINDOW ORCA PEACE TOWER PHOENIX POPPY PROVINCIAL AND TERRITORIAL SHIELDS SAILOR UNICORN Page 9 of 14 This animal works hard and has a big, flat tail.

It is Canada’s national animal.


This little red flower is used to remember soldiers, especially around Remembrance Day.

This stone carving represents the Monarch (the King or Queen) This tower was named to honour the end of the First World War.

This big animal has antlers and lives in many different parts of Canada.

The bands on the sides of this Canadian symbol represent the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

This mythical creature has a horn on its head.

It is a symbol of Scotland.


These symbols represent Canada’s 13 provinces and territories.

This leaf is an important Canadian symbol.

This person represents communities who live along Canada’s coasts.

This forest scene is a symbol of Canada’s northern landscapes.

This gold object is carved with many details.

It is a symbol of the Senate.

This gold object is carved with many details.

It is a symbol of the House of Commons.

This person grows food.

They symbolize a job done by many Canadians.


This mythical bird is shown rising from the ashes.

It is a symbol for the main Parliament Building, which was rebuilt after a fire in 1916.

This sea mammal is important to many First Nations communities, especially on the West Coast.

This fire-breathing creature represents Wales.

This flower represents France.

The person in this stone carving is gathering food and fuel for their community.
Page 10 of 14 Assembling Canada On July 1, 1867, Canada became a country – an event known as Confederation.

With only four provinces, the country was much smaller than the one we know today.

Parliament was smaller back then, too: in 1867, there were only 72 senators and 180 members of Parliament (MPs).

Today, the Senate has 105 seats, while the House of Commons has 338.

Test your knowledge of Canada and its Parliament by putting together these maps!
THEME 1 — DATE OF CONFEDERATION Do you know when each province and territory became a part of Canada?

Fill in the correct abbreviation and year of Confederation for each of the provinces/territories on the map, using the hints for Theme 1 on page 4 of this activity.
ON – Ontario YT – Yukon NB – New Brunswick NL – Newfoundland and Labrador QC – Quebec AB – Alberta BC – British Columbia NT – Northwest Territories NU – Nunavut MB – Manitoba SK – Saskatchewan PE – Prince Edward Island NS – Nova Scotia Page 11 of 14 THEME 2 — NUMBER OF SENATORS Senate seats are divided according to Canada’s regions.

In 1867, there were 24 for each of the two largest provinces, plus 24 for the east.
As the country has grown and new provinces and territories have been created, more have been added.

Can you figure out how many Senate seats each province and territory has today?

Fill in the correct abbreviation and the number of seats for each of the provinces/territories on the map, using the hints for Theme 2 on page 4 of this activity.
ON – Ontario YT – Yukon NB – New Brunswick NL – Newfoundland and Labrador QC – Quebec AB – Alberta BC – British Columbia NT – Northwest Territories NU – Nunavut MB – Manitoba SK – Saskatchewan PE – Prince Edward Island NS – Nova Scotia Page 12 of 14 THEME 3 — NUMBER OF MPs Seats in the House of Commons are divided according to population: each member represents the people who live in a specific area, called a constituency.

In 1867, the population of Canada was only 3.4 million people.
Today, it has grown to more than 10 times that number!

How many members of Parliament are there from each province and territory today?

Fill in the correct abbreviation and the number of seats for each of the provinces/territories on the map, using the hints for Theme 3 on page 4 of this activity.
ON – Ontario YT – Yukon NB – New Brunswick NL – Newfoundland and Labrador QC – Quebec AB – Alberta BC – British Columbia NT – Northwest Territories NU – Nunavut MB – Manitoba SK – Saskatchewan PE – Prince Edward Island NS – Nova Scotia Page 13 of 14 THEME 1 — DATE OF CONFEDERATION 1905 1870 1871 1867 1905 1867 1873 1898 1949 1867 1867 1870 THEME 2 — NUMBER OF SENATORS 6 4 14 4 1 1 1 1 6 6 24 6 10 24 10 1 THEME 3 — NUMBER OF MPs 42 121 34 11 7 78 10 14 Page 14 of 14 1999 1 1