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Learning About Federal Elections in Canada
Project type: Introductory Activity
Related topic:
Campaigning for Canada
Campaigning for Canada
Subjects
History
Social Studies
Political Science
Social Studies
Political Science
Summary
In this introductory activity, students gather information about the history of federal elections in recent Canadian history, focusing on some key campaigns and learning how the issues, leaders, parties, and results of each election impacted Canadian politics.
Duration
1 to 2 lessons
Purpose
To learn about federal elections in Canada, to examine the impact of federal elections on Canada’s politics and history
Materials
current issues of newspapers or news magazines
Before Exploring
Lead an introductory discussion of some of the basic facts and information about elections in Canada, such as the legal voting age, number of federal ridings, names of political parties and their leaders, etc.
Next, ask students to identify the three levels of elected government (federal, provincial, and municipal) and the names and party affiliations of their federal and provincial representative. Then brainstorm a list of kinds of decisions made by federal politicians and those made by provincial politicians.
Finally, distribute some current newspapers. Divide students into groups and have each group identify a current issue from each level of government. Cut out and display the clippings or create a class list of the issues.
Outline the Opportunity
Direct students to the topic Campaigning for Canada on the CBC Radio and Television Archives Web site. Have students browse the site for as much time as they wish. Students form groups to make brief notes on one of the federal elections highlighted on the site (1945, 1949, 1958, 1963, 1968, 1972, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1993, and 1997). For each election, students should briefly note the following information:
- Which political party and leader won the election?
- What were the main issues in the campaign?
- How did the other political parties in the election fare?
- What other parties and leaders were important in the election?
- What was the importance of the election result for Canada?
Revisit and Reflect
Revisit the questions that students used as a guide and have each group share their responses. Ask: How do the elections compare? Which election do you think was the most important in Canada’s recent political history, and why?
Extension
Students can prepare and present a brief report on one of the federal elections held in Canada since 1945, focusing on the main leaders, political parties, issues, and results of the election, and stating the ways in which it shaped the future course of politics in Canada.
