Select a city and locate these areas. Cities are settled for different reasons. Tell students that they are in pioneer times, coming to Canada with their families, and looking to live somewhere. People in a city elect representatives who decide how money is spent and what laws will exist. Hold a city council session in the classroom.
Students are members of council.
List the pros and cons of this situation, then have a secret ballot vote as to whether a law should be passed. After students have role played arguments on both sides of the issue, have another secret ballot. Students may vote for or against the issue idea based on personal feelings, not the side they were given to role play. Select other issues to role play and vote on. Issues might be curfew times for children, shoplifting penalties, uses of parks, and other issues relevant to the children.