Canada · Ontario Curriculum Expectations
Grade 9 Canadian Studies
Grade 9 Canadian Studies exploring issues in Canadian geography, migration patterns, and environmental sustainability. Students develop critical geographic inquiry skills and investigate how geographic factors shape Canadian society.
Interactions in the Physical Environment
How do the physical processes of the earth shape the Canadian landscape and influence where and how we live?
Exploring Canada's landform regions and the tectonic processes that created the Canadian Shield, Appalachians, and Western Cordillera.
Analysing the factors (L.O.W.E.R.N.) that determine Canada's varied climate regions.
Investigating how the last ice age reshaped the Canadian landscape and created our freshwater systems.
Examining the relationship between climate, soil quality, and the types of forests and grasslands across Canada.
Assessing the risks of floods, wildfires, and earthquakes in different Canadian regions.
Understanding the spiritual and physical relationship between Indigenous peoples and their traditional territories.
Focusing on the unique geographic challenges and ecological sensitivity of Canada's North.
Managing Canada's Natural Resources
Evaluating the sustainability of Canada's primary industries and their role in the global economy.
Distinguishing between renewable, non-renewable, and flow resources in the Canadian context.
Analysing the extraction of minerals and metals and the life cycle of a Canadian mine.
Investigating Canada's energy mix, focusing on the Oil Sands and the transition to green energy.
Examining the collapse of the Atlantic cod fishery and the future of sustainable aquaculture.
Contrasting clear-cutting versus selective cutting and the management of old-growth forests.
Exploring the Prairies as the "breadbasket" and the rise of local food movements.
Discussing the ethics of water bottling and the potential for bulk water exports.
Introducing the concept of waste reduction and sustainable manufacturing in Canada.
Changing Populations
Who are Canadians? Analysing demographic trends, immigration, and the diversity of our population.
Learning how Statistics Canada tracks the population and why this data is essential for planning.
Applying the DTM to Canada's history and comparing it to other nations.
Investigating the "Grey Tsunami" and the challenges of supporting a large elderly population.
Analysing why people leave their home countries and why they choose Canada.
Examining the economic class of immigration and how Canada selects skilled workers.
Understanding Canada's role in the global refugee crisis and the process of asylum.
Exploring the growth of diverse ethnic enclaves in major Canadian cities.
Analysing the rapid growth and younger age structure of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit populations.
Liveable Communities
How do we design cities and towns that are sustainable, inclusive, and healthy?
Identifying the six main types of land use: residential, commercial, industrial, transportation, open space, and institutional.
Investigating the causes and consequences of outward city growth onto farmland.
Evaluating the efficiency of public transit, cycling infrastructure, and road networks.
Examining the social and economic impacts of renovating older urban neighbourhoods.
Analysing how Canadian cities handle garbage, recycling, and organic waste.
Exploring the urban planning concept where all basic needs are within a short walk or bike ride.
Recognizing the presence and contributions of Indigenous people in Canadian urban centres.
Global Connections
How is Canada linked to the rest of the world through trade, aid, and culture?
Investigating CUSMA (USMCA) and other major trade deals that influence the Canadian economy.
Analysing Canada's role in providing humanitarian assistance and long-term development aid.
Exploring the influence of Canadian companies operating abroad and foreign companies in Canada.
Examining the influence of American media and the protection of Canadian content (CanCon).
Investigating Canada's historic and current role in the United Nations and peacekeeping.
Tracing the journey of a common product from raw materials to the Canadian consumer.
Climate Change and Resilience
Understanding the science of climate change and developing strategies for a resilient future.
Reviewing the science of how human activities are altering the earth's atmosphere.
A cross-country survey of how climate change is manifesting differently in each province.
Debating the effectiveness of carbon taxes and cap-and-trade systems.
Distinguishing between efforts to reduce emissions and efforts to live with climate changes.
Highlighting how Indigenous communities are using traditional knowledge to monitor and adapt to climate change.
Exploring the role of young people in the global and Canadian climate movement.
The Changing Economic Landscape
Analysing how Canada's economy is evolving from manufacturing to services and high-tech.
Understanding primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary industries.
Investigating the "Rust Belt" of Ontario and the outsourcing of factory jobs.
Exploring the "Silicon Valley North" (Waterloo-Toronto corridor) and other tech centres.
Analysing the rise of precarious work, freelancing, and platform-based jobs (Uber, SkipTheDishes).
Comparing the wealth of different provinces and the role of equalization payments.
Geographic Inquiry Capstone
Applying geographic thinking to solve a real-world problem in the local community.
Formulating a research question and identifying primary and secondary sources.
Using digital mapping tools to visualize data and identify spatial patterns.
Conducting observations and gathering data in the local neighbourhood.
Understanding that different people have different views on land use and resources.
Creating a professional proposal or presentation to address a local geographic issue.