Politics surrounding law making/ indigenous concerns

Question 1

What is the Common Good?

Answer 1

Choices that benefit all individuals are called thinking collectively
OR
Choosing the choice that betters ourselves, called thinking individually

The idea that refers to anything that benefits and is shared by all members of a given community. This requires collective action and participation by community members.
e.g. The government passes laws to help people.

Question 2

What are Majority governments?

Answer 2

Majority governments is a phenomenon granted when one party wins more ridings/seats than all the other political parties combined (wins at least half plus one [170] of the 338 seats in the House of Commons.

Question 3

Advantages of Majority governments?

Answer 3

• Stability
• Pass any laws they want
• Clearer, faster mandates
• Last the full term (4 years)

Question 4

Disadvantages of Majority governments?

Answer 4

May not adequately represent or consider the views of minority groups in society.

Question 5

What are Minority governments?

Answer 5

Minority governments is a phenomenon granted when one party wins the the most riding but not more than other political parties combined (not more than half plus one [170] of the 338 seats in the House of Commons).

Question 6

Advantages of Minority governments.

Answer 6

Consider more views and perspectives because they need to work with the other parties.

Question 7

Disadvantages of Minority governments.

Answer 7

Unstable
Usually don’t test the full term (4 years)
Conflict within the government structure
Reliance on other governments
Confidence votes
Early electrons try for majority power
Decision making process to long and complicated

Question 8

What are left-wing Ideologies

Answer 8

• Liberal views
  Progressive reforms
• Social and economic equality
• “Far left” is extreme revolutionary views (advocating for communism and socialism).

Question 9

What are right-wing ideologies?

Answer 9

• Conservative views
• Often prioritize traditional values, national sovereignty, and are more conservative (adverse to change and upholds traditional customs) on issues like immigration and law enforcement.
• “Far right” has extreme national views (often fascist and oppressive).

Question 10

What are central wing ideologies?

Answer 10

• Advocates for a balanced approach, combining both elements of left and right wings’ policies.
• Tend to support moderate social reforms, finding a ground between progressive and conservative values.

Question 11

Who are Canada’s political parties?

Answer 11

a) Justin Trudeau - the Liberal party leader
b) Pierre Poilievre - the Conservative party leader
c) Jagmeet Singh - the NDP leader
d) Elizabeth May- the Green party leader
e) Yves-Francios Blanchet - Bloc Quebecois

Question 12

Main ideas of the Liberal parties.

Answer 12

• Progressive taxation and social welfare programs
• Environmental sustainability and climate change action
• Multiculturalism and immigration
• Investment in public infrastructure and healthcare
• Support for LGBTQ+ rights and gender equality

Question 13

Main ideas of the Conservative party.

Answer 13

-Lower taxes and reduced government spending
- Strong national defense and law enforcement
- Economic growth through free-market policies
- Support for traditional values and family
- Skepticism towards extensive climate change policies

Question 14

Main ideas of the NDP.

Answer 14

• Strong social safety nets and welfare programs
• Publicly funded healthcare and education, mixing of both public and private economical stances
• Labour rights and fair wages
• Environmental protection and climate action
• Social justice and equity for all marginalized groups

Question 15

Main idea of the Green party.

Answer 15

• Strong focus on environmental issues and climate action
• Sustainable economic development
• Social justice and human rights
• Electoral reform and increased political transparency
• Support for indigenous rights and communities.

Question 16

Main ideas of the Bloc-Quebecois party.

Answer 16

• Quebec nationalism and sovereignty
• Protection of french language and culture
• Environmental sustainability
• Progressive social policies, support for public healthcare, education and social services
• Defence of Quebec’s interests in the federal government, ensuring that federal policies and decisions respect - Quebec’s autonomy and preferences.

Question 17

What is democracy?

Answer 17

• All citizens have a voice in decision making.
• Canadians elect individuals into government to make decisions and policies on our behalf.
• In elections, we vote for individuals or political parties whose beliefs are most similar to our own. Since individuals and political parties with the most votes get elected, the decisions in a democracy reflect the will or desire of the majority.
• Members of a democratic society live in freedom.
• Citizens in a democracy are responsible for ensuring the common good and human dignity of all individuals in society by taking part in public discussions and debates on important issues.

Question 18

What is the house of Commons? How many seats are there?

Answer 18

The House of Commons is a democratically elected body whose members are known as members of Parliament (MPs). There are 338 seats where elected members congregate and discuss issues, resolving them by pushing agendas in favour of their beliefs as a party and attempt resolving them through laws and policies.

Question 19

What are the responsibilities of municipal government?

Answer 19

The municipal level of government that focuses on issues at a municipal level (mayoral occupations). Responsibilities include:
- Restaurant and food premises inspections
- Water treatment
- Libraries
- Zoning lands
- Local police services (YRP)
- Roads & snow removal
- Fire protection services
- Garbage collection
- Sewers and sewage treatment
- Public transit
- Parks/playgrounds
- Lights
- Public Parking

Question 20

What are the responsibilities of the provincial government?

Answer 20

The provincial level of government that focuses on issues at a provincial/ territorial level. Responsibilities include:
- Education
- Health services and hospitals
- Marriage/divorce
- Ontario Provincial Police
- Prisons
- Property/Civic rights
- Highways
- Resources & environment
- Alcohol consumption

Question 21

What are the responsibilities of the national government?

Answer 21

The national level of government that focuses on all issues involving all Canadians.
Responsibilities include:
- Money/currency
- International trade & foreign diplomacy
- Indigenous affairs
- National defense & military
- Banking services
- Postal services
- RCMP
- Immigration
- Criminal Law
- Unemployment
- Communications

Question 22

How are laws passed?

Answer 22

Step one: Initiation and First Reading
Introduced into the Senate or the House of Commons by a senator or an MP
Bill is not read out loud, it is made available for parliamentarians and Canadians to read
Step two: Second reading (where the debating begins)
Parliamentarians debate the main ideas of the bill
Examine strengths, weaknesses, and how it might affect different groups of people
Gives parliamentarians and Canadians chance to listen to different perspectives and opinions
When debate is over, parliamentarians vote on whether bill should continue
If vote supports bill, then it is sent to committee for a closer look
Step three: Committee stage
Bill is studied in detail by a smaller group of parliamentarians called a parliamentary committee
Hearings held where people and organizations can comment on the bill
Government officials and experts can be invited to answer questions
Committee looks over every clause (piece)
Committee may suggest amendments (changes)
Once complete, submit report back to chamber
Step four: Report stage
Bill goes back to chamber for a final debate
Parliamentarians can suggest changes which will also be debated
Base their decision on the committee’s report
Bill is finalized and ready for third reading
Step five: Third reading (more debate and voting begins)
Parliamentarians debate final form of bill
Base their decision on the committee’s report
Parliamentarians can stop supporting bill at any point in process
Vote to see if it should be sent to other chamber
Step six: Senate Consideration if needed
Most bills begin in House of Commons and are sent to Senate for review
Can be vice versa
In other chamber, bill goes through the same process of readings, debating, and votes
If reviewing chamber makes changes, it gets sent back to original chamber for more review
Messages can go back and forth multiple times
Most amendments meant to clarify, simplify, or improve a bill
Step seven: Royal Assessment
Once bill has been passed by both Chambers and they agree on the exact same law it goes to the Governor General
If the Governor General agrees with it, they give their stamp of approval (Royal Assent)
Then it becomes Canadian Law.

Question 23

What is the Indian Act?

Answer 23

The Indian Act is a Canadian act of Parliament that concerns registered Indians, their bands, and the system of Indian reserves.
Unless they have negotiated for self-government, most First Nations are currently governed by the Indian Act.
The original purpose was to “eliminate status Indians” through assimilation
It was first created in 1876 and has been amended several times, most significantly in 1951 and 1985, with changes mainly focusing on the removal of discriminatory sections like the banning of ceremonies and woman being allowed to marry without losing their status.

Question 24

What were the impacts from the different policies of the Indian Act?

Answer 24

• Gender Discrimination: This policy undermined traditional Indigenous family structures and led to the loss of Status for many women and their descendants.
• Reserve System and Land Management: The Act confined Indigenous Peoples to reserves, which were often small and resource-poor compared to their traditional territories, no free will as everything was government controlled.
• Suppression of Cultural Practices: The Act aimed to assimilate Indigenous Peoples into Canadian society.
• Residential Schools: The Act required Indigenous children to attend these institutions, separating them from families and communities.
  Residential schools aimed to assimilate children and remove them from their cultural heritage. The lasting trauma of these institutions continues to impact Indigenous communities today.

Question 25

What are treaties?

Answer 25

Treaties: Indigenous territories — also referred to as traditional territories — describe the ancestral and contemporary connections of Indigenous peoples to a geographical area.
The borders between territories shifted and changed over time. Territories may be defined by kinship ties ( Family), occupation, seasonal travel routes, trade networks, management of resources, spiritual beliefs, and cultural and linguistic connections to place.

Question 26

What are land claims?

Answer 26

Land claims are Indigenous Peoples attempting to legally take back land that was taken through colonization and Treaty processes
Through land claims, communities have been able to achieve different levels of self government
Most First Nations define territory based on where they moved freely to search for food and shelter
Others had more permanent settlements

Question 27

Types of Land claims.

Answer 27

-> Comprehensive
Based on traditional use of land
No treaties were signed
Settlements include money, land, self-government, rights to wildlife, joint management of land

-> Specific
Claim Government of Canada did not fulfill duties under treaties of the Indian Act
Include inadequate Reserve land, failure to protect Reserve land, fraud, misadministration of First Nations’ funds, etc.
Settled with money or land

Question 28

What perspectives need to be considered when making laws?

Answer 28

Public perspective: Make sure to have public support and interest, understanding the potential impact of the law on public opinion. Reflect the diverse needs and values of the various demographics, including minority groups, indigenous communities, and other marginalized groups. ENSURE the law promotes public health, safety, and welfare.
Economic perspective: Assess potential economical consequences if spent improperly, consider financial implications for government budgets and resource allocation.
Social perspective: ensure the law promotes social justice and equality, recognize and respect cultural differences and values.
Environmental perspective: sustainability, consider the long-term environmental impact and sustainability of the law; protecting and conserving natural resources and biodiversity.