CIVICS 101
Which statement BEST describes civics?
A) Learning only about elections and political parties
B) Learning how citizens participate in society and understand their rights and responsibilities
C) Learning about important events from Canada's past
D) Learning how businesses and the economy operate
B) Learning how citizens participate in society and understand their rights and responsibilities
Residents in Sault Ste. Marie are asking the city to add more garbage cans and benches to a popular community park. What level of civic issue is this?
Local
TRUE OR FALSE: Understanding another person's perspective means you must agree with them.
What is false?
Your teacher asks you to present your group's idea for improving the school. You speak clearly, explain your ideas, and answer questions from the class.
What transferable skill are you using most?
Communication
A company wants to begin a project near an important natural area. This professional raises awareness about how the project could affect wildlife, water, pollution, and the environment and pushes for environmental protection.
Who would most likely get involved?
Environmental Advocate
Civics is a mandatory course in Ontario. Explain ONE reason why you think students are required to take it.
To help students understand their rights and responsibilities, how government works, and how they can participate in society.
The Government of Canada is considering a change to passport rules that would affect Canadian citizens living in every province and territory. What level of civic issue is this?
National
Name two factors that could influence someone's perspective on a civic issue.
What are age, culture, family, education, experiences, location, media, values, etc.?
Four students are planning a school event. They divide the jobs fairly, listen to each other's ideas, help one another, and work toward the same goal.
What transferable skill are they demonstrating?
Collaboration
A group of people believes they are being treated unfairly because of who they are. This professional may investigate concerns about discrimination, equality, accessibility, and people's rights.
Who would most likely help with this issue?
Human Rights Officer
A person who learns about important issues before deciding what they believe can be described as this type of citizen.
What is an informed citizen?
Phil is studying how plastic pollution in the oceans affects people and wildlife around the world. Evan is studying whether Sault Ste. Marie should add new bus routes to reach neighbourhoods farther from the city centre. Oliver is studying how a new Canadian law could affect people across the country.
Identify the level of civic issue each person is studying.
Phil – Global | Evan – Local | Oliver – National
A Sault Ste. Marie teenager believes there should be more grants and scholarships for students living in Northern Ontario to help them attend university. Another teenager believes this is unfair and that students across Ontario should have access to the same financial support. Why might their perspectives on this issue be different?
A) They may have different experiences, needs, values, and backgrounds
B) One of them must not understand how university works
C) Only one person can have a valid perspective on an issue
D) People from the same community should always have the same opinion
A) They may have different experiences, needs, values, and backgrounds
You see a TikTok claiming that Canada has introduced a new law. Instead of immediately believing it, you check who posted it, look for evidence, and compare it with other reliable sources.
What transferable skill are you using?
Critical Thinking
Sault Ste. Marie has a large piece of unused land. Some residents want affordable housing, others want a park, and others want new businesses. This professional studies the community's needs and helps determine how the land could be used.
Who is this professional?
Answer: Urban Planner
Which situation BEST demonstrates someone being an informed and active citizen?
A) Complaining about a community problem without learning about it
B) Sharing a viral post because many people liked it
C) Researching a community issue, considering different perspectives, and taking action to help address it
D) Ignoring an issue because it does not directly affect you
C) Researching a community issue, considering different perspectives, and taking action to help address it
A shortage of affordable housing affects Sault Ste. Marie, other Canadian cities, and communities around the world. What does this show us about civic issues?
One issue can exist at multiple levels — local, national, and global.
Dayon is listening to two political parties argue about how the government should spend money. One party wants more money spent on public services, while the other wants the government to focus on lowering taxes. What type of perspective is influencing their different opinions?
A) Cultural perspective
B) Geographic perspective
C) Political perspective
D) Personal perspective
C) Political perspective
Sault Ste. Marie has enough money for ONE new project: a park, more bus routes, or a recreation centre. City leaders compare the advantages and disadvantages of each before choosing what to build.
What transferable skill are they using most?
Decision-Making
ou have recently experienced discrimination at work and believe you were treated unfairly because of who you are. You want to speak with someone who works to protect people's rights and address discrimination.
Which civic professional could you go to for support?
A) Community Organizer
B) Urban Planner
C) Human Rights Officer
D) Environmental Advocate
C) Human Rights Officer
You do NOT need to be 18 to participate in civic life. Give two ways a teenager could participate.
volunteering, petitions, advocacy, contacting leaders, joining organizations, attending meetings, etc.?
Name a civic issue that could be considered local, national AND global, and explain how it connects to all three.
climate change, homelessness/housing, pollution, public health, etc., with a reasonable explanation.
Before forming an opinion about a controversial civic issue, explain why looking at multiple perspectives is important.
It helps you understand different viewpoints, recognize bias, gather more information, and form a more informed opinion.
Student A is great at explaining ideas clearly and speaking confidently in front of the class. Student B is great at keeping track of deadlines, materials, and what needs to be completed. Student C is great at examining information carefully and deciding whether it is trustworthy.
Which transferable skill matches EACH student?
A) A: Communication | B: Organization | C: Critical Thinking
B) A: Collaboration | B: Communication | C: Organization
C) A: Organization | B: Critical Thinking | C: Communication
D) A: Critical Thinking | B: Collaboration | C: Decision-Making
A) A: Communication | B: Organization | C: Critical Thinking
Three people are working on different problems in their community. Thomas studies where new housing, parks, and roads should be built as the city grows. Sophie works to reduce pollution and protect local forests and wildlife. Evan educates residents about preventing the spread of illness and staying healthy.
Which professions correctly match all THREE people?
A) Thomas: Community Organizer | Sophie: Human Rights Officer | Evan: Urban Planner
B) Thomas: Environmental Advocate | Sophie: Urban Planner | Evan: Community Organizer
C) Thomas: Urban Planner | Sophie: Environmental Advocate | Evan: Public Health Official
D) Thomas: Public Health Official | Sophie: Community Organizer | Evan: Human Rights Officer
C) Thomas: Urban Planner | Sophie: Environmental Advocate | Evan: Public Health Official ✅