Civics Exam

Purpose of Civics (Three “P’s”)

Understanding how government works, how power is used, and how citizens participate

Purpose

Understanding how government works and your role as a citizen

Power

How political power is distributed and exercised in society

Participation

How citizens engage with their government and community

Living Tree Doctrine

The idea that the Canadian Constitution is a “living tree” that grows and adapts over time

Living Tree Doctrine (Meaning)

Constitutional interpretation should evolve with changing Canadian values and circumstances

Living Tree Doctrine (Use)

Used by the Supreme Court to give modern meaning to constitutional provisions

Constitution

A body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state is governed

Three “A’s” of the Constitution

Adapt, Accommodate, Address

Adapt

How the Constitution adapts to changing needs of Canadian society

Accommodate

How the Constitution makes room for diverse groups and interests in Canada

Address

How the Constitution deals with issues and problems facing society

Federal Government

Responsible for national issues such as taxes, banking, criminal law, foreign affairs, and national defence

Provincial Government

Responsible for education, healthcare, natural resources, and road regulations

Municipal Government

Responsible for local services such as libraries, parks, garbage collection, and emergency services

Political Ideologies

Liberalism

Supports government activism, civil liberties, and social reform

Conservatism

Supports limited government intervention and preservation of traditions

Capitalism

Economic system based on free trade, private property, and minimal government intervention

Socialism

Economic system based on collective ownership to reduce inequality

Libertarianism

Belief in maximum individual freedom and minimal government involvement

Communism

Advocates economic equality through public ownership and a classless society

Fascism

Extreme right-wing ideology combining authoritarianism, nationalism, and force

Totalitarianism

Government control over all aspects of society and individual life

Rights and Responsibilities

Rights

Privileges recognized and protected by law

Individual Rights

Rights belonging to one person as set out in the Charter

Collective Rights

Rights belonging to groups such as racial, gender, or employee groups

Responsibilities

Duties or obligations individuals are expected to fulfill

Legal Terms

Civil Law

Law dealing with disputes between private parties, focused on compensation

Criminal Law

Law dealing with crimes against society involving intentional harm

Summary Offence

Minor offence punishable by up to $5,000 fine or 6 months in prison

Indictable Offence

Serious crimes such as theft, break and enter, or murder

Constitutional Law

Law based on the Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Statute Law

Laws created by government

Common Law

Law based on precedent and previous court decisions

By-law

A regulation made by a local authority

Key Political Philosophers

John Locke

Believed in natural rights (life, liberty, property) and that government exists to protect them

Thomas Hobbes

Believed humans are naturally selfish and require strong government to maintain order

Thomas Paine

Argued that a constitution comes before government and government is created by it

Montesquieu

Developed the theory of separation of powers

Henry David Thoreau

Advocated civil disobedience and conscience over law

Alexis de Tocqueville

Studied democracy and warned of the tyranny of the majority

John Stott

Believed civil disobedience is a Christian duty when laws oppose God

Civil Rights Leaders

Martin Luther King Jr.

Promoted non-violent civil disobedience against unjust laws

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Resisted Nazis and argued silence in the face of evil is evil

Viola Desmond

Canadian civil rights pioneer who challenged racial segregation

Rosa Parks

Sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott through peaceful resistance

Canadian Political Leaders

John Diefenbaker

Created the Canadian Bill of Rights (1960)

Pierre Elliott Trudeau

Patriated the Constitution and created the Charter

Justin Trudeau

23rd Prime Minister; involved in citizenship and rights issues

Mark Carney

Current Prime Minister; Liberal leader focused on economy and climate

Pierre Poilievre

Conservative leader focused on affordability and lower taxes

Jagmeet Singh

Former NDP leader focused on healthcare and fairness

Elizabeth May

Green Party leader focused on environmental issues

Yves-François Blanchet

Bloc Québécois leader focused on Quebec autonomy

Doug Ford

Premier of Ontario

Bonnie Crombie

Mayor of Mississauga

Marit Stiles

Leader of the Official Opposition of Ontario

Historical Documents

Magna Carta (1215)

First document to place the king under the law

Magna Carta Significance

Established rule of law and foundation of democracy

Canadian Bill of Rights (1960)

First federal law protecting human rights

Constitution Act (1982)

Made Canada fully independent and created the Charter (not a person)

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Protects fundamental rights and freedoms

Section 1 of the Charter

Allows reasonable limits on rights

Government Structure

MP

Federal representative in the House of Commons

MPP

Provincial representative in Ontario

Executive Branch

Makes decisions and enforces laws

Legislative Branch

Makes laws

Judicial Branch

Interprets laws

Forms of Government

Democracy

Rule of the people

Monarchy

Rule of one

Oligarchy

Rule of the few

Ochlocracy

Rule of the mob

Totalitarianism

Total control over society

Civil Disobedience

Civil Disobedience

Public, non-violent breaking of law to create change

Civil Disobedience Requirement

Must accept legal consequences

United Nations & Human Rights

United Nations

Organization created to promote peace and human rights

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Document outlining universal human rights

UDHR Author

John P. Humphrey

International Criminal Court

Court prosecuting genocide and war crimes

Rome Statute

Treaty establishing the ICC

Key Concepts

Equality

Treating everyone the same

Equity

Treating people fairly based on need

Affirmative Action

Policies supporting disadvantaged groups

NIMBY

Supporting something in principle but opposing it locally

Diplomacy

Managing international relations through negotiation

Coup d’état

Sudden overthrow of government

Critical Thinking

Objective analysis to form judgment

Ad Hominem

Attacking the person instead of the argument