Resolving Constitutional Issues

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11-12

Resolving Constitutional Issues

Project type: Web Quest

Related topic:
Canada's Constitutional Debate: What Makes a Nation?

Subjects

History
Political Science

Summary

Using a variety of Web-based resources, students will research a constitutional issue still facing Canada, then draft and present several proposals for addressing the issue.

Duration

3 lessons

Purpose

To understand the major constitutional issues affecting Canada today, to offer solutions to political problems

Before Exploring

More than 100 years after Confederation, Canada still struggles with many constitutional issues, from a formula for amending the constitution to the protection of regional and minority rights to the role of the monarchy in Canada’s government.

Outline the Opportunity

The following constitutional issues are not yet resolved in Canada:

the “distinct society” claim of Quebec

a constitutional amending formula

the division of powers between federal and provincial governments

the future of the Canadian Senate

the status of aboriginal peoples in Canada

the protection of regional and minority rights

a constitutional veto

the Supreme Court’s role in constitutional review

the impact of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms

the monarchy’s role in Canada’s governmental system

Assign or have students choose one of the above issues. Students should research the issue thoroughly, prepare a summary of the data, and include their views on the issue and how they think it could best be resolved. Using their information, students will draft several proposals for addressing the issue. Each group or student will then write a position statement explaining how its issue could be resolved by constitutional or other governmental/political reform.

Revisit and Reflect

Assemble all students to begin your classroom constitutional convention. Invite each group to present its issue and its recommendations for resolution, and to read its position statement about how to achieve the proposals. The rest of the students should consider and discuss what steps would be necessary in order for such constitutional or governmental reform to occur and be successful.

Print
Axworthy, Thomas, and Pierre E. Trudeau, eds. Towards a Just Society: The Trudeau Years. Toronto: Penguin Books, 1992.
Cohen, Andrew. A Deal Undone: The Making and Breaking of the Meech Lake Accord. Vancouver: Douglas & McIntyre, 1990.
Milne, David A. The Canadian Constitution. Toronto: James Lorimer, 1989.
Moore, Christopher. 1867: How the Fathers Made a Deal. Toronto: McClelland & Stewart, 1997.
Morton, Desmond. A Short History of Canada. Edmonton: Hurtig, 1983.

Video
Canada: A People’s History. Episode 8: The Great Enterprise. (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, 2001: Jim Williamson, dir.)
Canada: A People’s History. Episode 17: In an Uncertain World. (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, 2001: Susan Dando, dir.)