Lecture Notes Review: Essay Writing, Canadian Politics, Economy, Society (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering major concepts from the lecture notes on essay writing, Canadian politics, economy, society, and data on homelessness and inequality.

Thesis statement

A specific, identifiable stance you will prove throughout the essay; avoid using phrases like 'I think'.

Topic vs Thesis

Topic is the general concept you will discuss; thesis is the concrete claim you will support with evidence.

Argument map / Body map

A planned sequence that lays out elements to prove, organizing evidence to guide the reader through related arguments to the conclusion.

Description (in essays)

Descriptive writing that helps readers understand your perspective and context for the argument.

Introduction

Section that outlines the thesis and sets up essential information the reader must know.

Conclusion

The ending that wraps up the argument; a missing conclusion is noted as a weakness.

Good vs Bad explanation

Good explains how things work; bad merely summarizes what the author wrote.

Avoid 'I think' statements

Phrasing like 'I think' or 'in my opinion' is unnecessary when you are presenting a thesis.

Deconstructing the thesis

Breaking the thesis into component points to address in the body.

Evidence placement

Strategically placing points from readings, films, or lectures to bolster or refute your argument.

Geography (Canada)

Canada’s vast geography shapes population distribution, resources, and economic opportunities.

Economy (Canada)

Wealth rooted in natural resources; export-focused and sensitive to commodity prices; regional disparities exist.

Demography

Canada is sparsely populated relative to its size; most people live near the US border; growth is slow; driven by fertility, longevity, and immigration.

Immigration

A major driver of population change; about 21.9% of Canadians are foreign-born.

Charter of Rights and Freedoms

1982 constitutional guarantees of fundamental rights and freedoms.

Political culture

Shared values, attitudes, and practices about politics, including respect for law and individual rights.

Multiculturalism

Official policy since the 1970s to balance unity with cultural diversity.

Official Languages Act

1969 act recognizing English and French as having equal status in government.

Nation vs State

Nation: people with a common identity; State: sovereign territorial government; distinctions matter for legitimacy.

Founding nations / Distinct society

Quebec nationalism and the idea of a 'distinct society' within Canada; the myth of founding nations vs Indigenous origins.

Indigenous peoples (First Nations)

The original inhabitants and nations of Canada; rights claims and reconciliation are central ongoing issues.

Visible minorities

groups defined as non-Caucasian in race or non-white in color under Employment Equity Act.

French as mother tongue

About 21.4% of Canadians identify French as their mother tongue; concentrated in Quebec.

Temporary Foreign Workers

Increasing reliance on temporary workers with concerns about permanent residency and integration.

Education and social mobility

Education is a primary vehicle for social mobility; poverty can limit educational opportunity.

Poverty

A critical problem with programs showing some progress; tied to education, housing, and social policy.

Bay Street

Canada’s financial sector; often contrasted with Main Street in policy discussions.

Main Street

Everyday Canadians—workers and consumers outside the financial elite.

Bank of Canada independence

Independence is limited and biased by political appointments and consultation with business leaders.

Interest rate

A monetary policy tool used to influence inflation and economic activity.

Inflation

The rate at which prices rise, reducing purchasing power.

Wage vs. Profit narrative

BoC may favor protecting profits over wages; alleged hypocrisy in some critiques.

Democratic accountability in monetary policy

Call for debate and dialogue about monetary policy; policies should not be fully insulated from democracy.

Point-in-time enumeration

Counts of homelessness taken on a single day.

Census data (homelessness)

Shelter usage data collected every five years; may miss hidden homelessness.

Surveys (homelessness)

Capture experiences with homelessness, including hidden forms.

Administrative data (homelessness)

Data from shelters and health systems tracking service use.

Canadian Housing Survey (CHS)

Biennial survey capturing lifetime conditions and homelessness data (2018, 2021).

Housing continuum

Eight stages from unsheltered to market homeownership, illustrating housing stability.

Data linkage

Connecting multiple data sources to improve measurement of homelessness.

National Housing Strategy / Reaching Home

Policy frameworks and programs to coordinate housing supports.

Australia’s census model

A model used to enrich census data for more accurate homelessness counts; potential for Canada to adapt.

Wealth tax

Proposed 1% tax on wealth over a high threshold (e.g., >$20 million); substantial public support.

Wealth gap

Disparities showing the richest hold a large share of wealth compared to the bottom.

Offshore wealth

Significant wealth held offshore; estimates indicate large sums not taxed domestically.

Tax expenditures

Tax breaks and loopholes that affect government revenue and equity.

CEO pay vs average worker

Disparities showing CEO compensation far exceeds the typical worker’s income.

HungerCount / Food Banks Canada

Annual reports measuring food bank use and hunger across Canada.

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)

Pandemic-era program subsidizing employer wages to protect jobs.

Indigenous data in inequality

Data on Indigenous peoples highlight systemic gaps and rights considerations in measurements of inequality.

GSS / Statistics Canada

Statistics Canada surveys (e.g., General Social Survey) that measure social conditions and victimization.

Two founding nations myth

Idea that Canada has two founding nations (English and French) with Indigenous peoples largely outside this frame.

Liberalism (classical vs reform)

Classical liberalism emphasized individual rights and minimal state; reform liberalism supports welfare and mass participation.

Conservatism

Aims to preserve traditional institutions, gradual change, and social order with a preference for stability.

Socialism

Public ownership, planning, and state intervention to reduce inequality; critiques of liberal capitalism.

Ideology

A coherent set of beliefs about society and the proper role of the state that guides political behavior.

Cultural pluralism

Recognition and valuing of diverse cultures within a single political framework.

Constitutional monarchy

A system where a monarch is head of state but powers are limited by a constitution.

Federalism

Division of powers between regional (provincial) and central (federal) governments.

Responsible government

Prime minister and cabinet are accountable to elected representatives.

House of Commons / Senate

Two houses of Canada’s Parliament; elected vs. appointed bodies shaping legislation.

Sovereignty / Legitimacy / Authority

Sovereignty: state's ultimate power; Legitimacy: acceptance by citizens; Authority: power to command.

Public opinion in Canada

General attitudes about politics and policy; influenced by geography, media, and events.

Indigenous sovereignty (contextual)

Ongoing rights and recognition debates about Indigenous governance within Canada.

Quebec nationalism

Movement emphasizing Quebec’s distinct status and cultural-lederal rights within Canada.

Renewable vs non-renewable resources

Canada’s economy relies on resource extraction; debates about environmental sustainability.

Harm of climate and environment on economy

Environmental challenges affect economic activity and policy choices.

Freedom of conscience, religion, thought, opinion

Constitutional protections for individual beliefs and expression.

Rule of law

All individuals and institutions are subject to and must obey the law.

Gini-sense of inequality

Concepts reflecting unequal distribution of income and wealth in society.

Economic liberalism (laissez-faire)

Market-oriented approach advocating minimal state intervention; emphasizes competition.

Minimal state vs welfare state

Classical liberalism favored minimal state; reform liberalism supports welfare programs and redistribution.

Neo-conservatism

Modern conservative approach promoting free markets with selective welfare reduction.