Citizenship Exam

Political Idea

A shared set of beliefs about how the government and society should work.

Political Scale

A way to show and tell apart different political ideas, views, and parties.

Left Side of Politics

Usually wants more equality for everyone and more government help.

Right Side of Politics

Often prefers old ways, less government, and lower taxes.

Economy Left

Wants higher taxes, more government control over money, and bigger government services.

Economy Right

Wants lower taxes, less government control over money, and fewer government services.

Social Progressive

Believes society can improve by changing old traditions; supports fairness for all.

Social Conservative

Believes old traditions bring safety and should be respected; wants to keep old values.

Political Party

A group of people with similar political ideas who want to win elections and run the government.

Canada's Main Parties

Conservative, NDP, Liberal, Bloc Québécois, Green.

Nova Scotia's Main Parties

Liberal, NDP, Progressive Conservative.

US Government Type

A system where power is split between the main government and 50 state governments.

US Congress

Made of two groups: the House of Representatives and the Senate.

US House of Representatives

435 members, numbers based on state population, elected for two years.

US Senate

100 members, two per state, elected for six years, with some elected every two years.

Main US Political Parties

Democratic Party and Republican Party.

US President

Head of country and government, elected every four years by a special state-by-state vote, can serve two terms.

Canadian Rights Law

Started on April 17, 1982.

Canadian Rights Law Purpose

Part of Canada's main law, protecting basic rights and freedoms.

Section 35 of the Constitution

Says that the rights given to Indigenous peoples by treaties are protected.

Old Indigenous Treaties

Agreements between the British Crown and Indigenous groups for peace and often land.

Peace and Friendship Treaties

Signed in Eastern Canada for peace and trade, not land.

Numbered Treaties

1871-1921. Made for westward expansion, giving land for reserves, money, and hunting/fishing rights.

New Indigenous Treaties

Agreements made when old treaties weren't signed; give land ownership, self-rule, and money.

Example of a New Treaty

James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement.

Truth and Reconciliation - Started

2008.

TRC's "Truth"

Gathering facts and stories so history is remembered.

TRC's "Reconciliation"

Finding ways to fix past harms and stop them from happening again.

National Truth Center

Started 2015 to keep TRC documents and continue education.

Canada's Promise on Human Rights

Canada has agreed to many global human rights rules and reports on how it follows them.

International Group

A group with at least three countries working together for a shared goal.

United Nations - Goal

To keep peace worldwide and help countries work together.

NATO - Goal

A group where members agree to protect each other if attacked.

Francophonie Organization - Goal

To help French-speaking countries work together in culture, science, and business.

Taxes

Money collected by the government from people and businesses to pay for public services.

Purpose of Taxes

To pay for important things like roads, schools, and hospitals.

Income Tax

Money taken from what you earn.

Sales Tax

Extra money added to the price of things you buy.

Property Tax

Yearly tax paid on land and buildings you own; main income for city governments.

Same Tax Rate for Everyone

A fixed percentage of tax, no matter how much money is involved.

Higher Tax Rate for More Money

Tax rates go up as you earn more money.

Basic Untaxed Money

The first part of your income that you don't pay tax on.

Community

A group of people living in the same area or sharing common interests.

How to Join Your Community

Shop locally, talk to neighbors, keep up with local news, vote, volunteer.

Active Community Member

Someone who takes part, stays informed, and helps their community.

Global Citizen

Someone who understands they are connected to people worldwide and have duties to global issues.

Why Countries Fight: Resources

To control valuable things.

Why Countries Fight: Ideas

To spread or protect their political or religious beliefs.

Why Countries Fight: Payback

To get even for past wrongs.

Why Countries Fight: Land

To get more territory.

Why Countries Fight: Safety

To protect their country's interests or deal with threats.

Why Countries Fight: Helping Others

A debated reason for wars, claiming to protect people from big harms like genocide.

AI is a "Black Box"

AI makes decisions without showing how; you see what goes in and out, but not the hidden steps.

Worry with AI as a "Black Box"

Hard to fix mistakes; bad decisions in key areas can be deadly.

Why some think AI is like humans

It can talk and create text like people do.

Why others say AI isn't like humans

AI doesn't feel or think for itself; it just follows rules and finds patterns.

AI and Privacy Problems

AI uses lots of personal data, risking leaks or misuse; data might be collected without you knowing.

Why people worry about data privacy

Concerned how their personal info is used, stored; fear of data breaches, identity theft, money loss.

Good things people expect from AI

Can make work better, boost output, automate tasks for an easier life.

Bad things people worry about with AI

Misuse, dangerous self-driving weapons; harder to control as it gets complex.

Checking Info Online

Looking closely at online information to see if it's true, correct, and fair.

Fact or Opinion

Telling the difference between things that can be proven and personal beliefs online.

Double-Checking Claims

Verifying online statements by looking at many reliable sources, finding original info, and understanding the background.

Finding Where Info Came From

Finding the first place online information appeared and seeing how it was shared or changed.