Canada's Future in a Changing World · Term 4

The Future of Canadian Democracy

Evaluate the health of Canadian democracy, identify current threats, and propose solutions to strengthen democratic institutions.

About This Topic

This topic evaluates the health of Canadian democracy and investigates the greatest threats it faces today, from political polarization and declining voter turnout to the influence of misinformation and foreign interference. Students examine the strength of Canada's democratic institutions, such as the electoral system, the judiciary, and the free press, and propose solutions to strengthen them. The curriculum explores the role of civic engagement and the responsibility of young Canadians in maintaining a healthy democracy.

Grade 12 students analyze the impact of social media on democratic debate and the challenges of ensuring that all voices are heard in a diverse society. They investigate the potential for democratic reforms, such as changing the voting system or increasing transparency in government. This topic comes alive when students can participate in a 'Democracy Health Check,' where they use a set of indicators to assess the current state of Canadian democracy and debate the most urgent areas for reform.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the primary threats to Canadian democracy, categorizing them by their origin (e.g., internal, external, technological).
• Evaluate the effectiveness of current Canadian democratic institutions in addressing contemporary challenges.
• Design a policy proposal aimed at strengthening a specific aspect of Canadian democracy, such as electoral reform or media literacy.
• Explain the role and responsibilities of young Canadians in fostering civic engagement and safeguarding democratic values.

Before You Start

Foundations of Canadian Government

Why: Students need a foundational understanding of Canada's governmental structure, including parliamentary democracy and the roles of different branches of government, to analyze threats and propose reforms.

Canadian Identity and Diversity

Why: Understanding the complexities of Canadian identity and diversity is crucial for analyzing how societal divisions can impact democratic cohesion and representation.

Key Vocabulary

Democratic backsliding	The decline in the quality of democratic institutions and practices within a country, often characterized by erosion of checks and balances or civil liberties.
Political polarization	The divergence of political attitudes towards ideological extremes, making compromise and consensus-building more difficult.
Misinformation and disinformation	Misinformation refers to false or inaccurate information spread unintentionally, while disinformation is false information deliberately spread to deceive.
Civic engagement	The active participation of citizens in public life and the democratic process, including voting, volunteering, and advocating for issues.
Electoral integrity	The degree to which an election is free from fraud and manipulation, ensuring that the results accurately reflect the will of the voters.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: The Democracy Health Check

Small groups are given a 'Democracy Scorecard' with indicators like voter turnout, media freedom, and public trust in institutions. They research recent data for Canada and present their 'Diagnosis' and a 'Prescription' for improvement.

⏱ 60 min·Small Groups

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Simulation Game: The Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform

Students act as a randomly selected group of citizens tasked with recommending a new voting system for Canada. They must hear from 'experts' and 'stakeholders' and work toward a consensus recommendation.

⏱ 90 min·Whole Class

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Think-Pair-Share: What is the Greatest Threat to Democracy?

Students are given a list of potential threats (e.g., misinformation, inequality, low engagement). They must choose the one they believe is most dangerous and discuss with a partner why they chose it and what can be done to address it.

⏱ 25 min·Pairs

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Real-World Connections

Electoral reform advocates, like those involved with Fair Vote Canada, analyze different voting systems (e.g., proportional representation) to propose changes that could increase representation and voter satisfaction.

Journalists at organizations such as The Canadian Press investigate foreign interference campaigns and report on their potential impact on Canadian elections and public discourse.

Young Canadians involved in organizations like CIVIX participate in mock elections and civic education programs to understand their role in shaping the future of democracy.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Democracy is 'guaranteed' and cannot be lost in a country like Canada.

What to Teach Instead

Democracy is a fragile system that requires constant maintenance and the active participation of its citizens. Analyzing 'Democratic Backsliding' in other countries can help students see that no nation is immune to the erosion of democratic norms and institutions.

Common Misconception

Voting is the only way to participate in a democracy.

What to Teach Instead

While voting is crucial, democracy also involves protest, advocacy, community organizing, and staying informed. A 'Spectrum of Engagement' activity can help students see the many ways they can influence political decisions beyond the ballot box.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Facilitate a class debate on the statement: 'Social media poses a greater threat to Canadian democracy than traditional media.' Ask students to cite specific examples and evidence to support their arguments.

Quick Check

Present students with three hypothetical scenarios related to democratic threats (e.g., a viral disinformation campaign, a proposed change to voting laws, declining trust in institutions). Ask students to identify the primary threat in each scenario and briefly explain why.

Exit Ticket

On an index card, have students write down one specific action they, as young Canadians, can take to strengthen democracy in Canada and one question they still have about the future of Canadian democracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is voter turnout declining in Canada?

Factors include a lack of interest or 'cynicism' about politics, a feeling that one's vote doesn't matter, and barriers to voting for certain groups (like young people or those who move frequently). It is a major concern for the long-term health of democracy.

What is 'Foreign Interference' in elections?

It refers to attempts by foreign governments to influence the outcome of an election through tactics like cyberattacks, spreading misinformation, or covertly funding certain candidates or parties.

How can we increase civic engagement among young people?

Strategies include improving civic education in schools, making it easier to register and vote, and creating more opportunities for young people to be involved in decision-making processes at all levels of government.

How can active learning help students understand the future of democracy?

Active learning through 'Prototyping Democratic Innovations' is very effective. Students can design and 'test' new ways for citizens to interact with their government (e.g., a digital town hall or a youth advisory council). This helps them see democracy as an evolving system that they have the power to reshape and improve.