Lesson Plan

Printable Version (PDF)

Title

Choosing the Cabinet (Provincial)

Audience (Ideal)

Civic Studies 11, Social Studies 11, Social Studies 10

Overview

This activity will encourage students to think critically and explore the issues regarding low voter turnout.

Objectives

1. Students will become familiar with BC MLAs.
2. Students will engage their critical thinking skills.
3. Students will understand the process of forming the cabinet, including an enriched understanding of the challenges in doing so.

Duration of Activity

80 minutes

Preparation (by teacher and by students)

This lesson would be well-placed near the end of a unit on government to maximize student prior knowledge. Students are expected to understand the division of powers, structure and function of the Executive and single-member plurality electoral system.

Materials and Resources

Computers to search MLAs online

Cabinet Portfolio Listings – Appendix A

Cabinet Worksheet – Appendix B

White board

Grid on white board (possibly overhead)

Prescribed Learning Outcomes

1. Civic Studies 11
   1. (Skills and Process of Civic Studies) Apply critical thinking skills – including questioning, comparing, summarizing, drawing conclusions, and defending a position – to make reasoned judgments about a range of issues, situations, and topics
   2. (Informed citizenship) Demonstrate a knowledge of historical and contemporary factors helping to define Canadian civic identity, including: governance
2. Social Studies 11
   1. (Skills and Process of Social Studies) Apply critical thinking skills – including questioning, comparing, summarizing, drawing conclusions, and defending a position – to make reasoned judgments about a range of issues, situations, and topics
   2. (Politics and government) Explain how federal and provincial governments are formed in Canada
3. Social Studies 10
   1. (Skills and Process of Social Studies) A1, A2, A3
   2. (Governance: Canada from 1815-1914) Describe the structure and function of Canada’s federal, provincial, and local governments

Activities and Methods

1. Introduce activity to students and handout Cabinet Worksheet: “You are the premier of British Columbia, and you have to choose your cabinet. You have before you a list of MLAs and cabinet portfolios, and you need to choose which MLAs will serve in each cabinet position. You will begin individually, and then we will move to small group work.” (5 minutes)
   
   
2. Individual review time – Hand out Cabinet Portfolios and let students will take some time individually and silently to review and go online to www.leg.bc.ca/mla/3-1-1.htm  and begin to formulate their thoughts on their initial choices for cabinet. (5 minutes)
   
   
3. Students will be assigned to groups of four or five, and will begin working toward consensus in deciding their cabinet. Students will be preparing their lists to share and defend to the class. The teacher will informally circulate and supervise groups during this time. (15 minutes)
   
   
4. The teacher will interrupt the group work and ask several key questions about whether the students have considered:
   1. Geographical location
   2. Gender and minority representation
   3. Experience and expertise

After this interjection, students will have some time to revise their cabinet lists with these criteria in mind on their Cabinet Worksheet.(10 minutes)

5. Students will write their lists on the white board in a pre-designed grid to facilitate simple comparison. (5 minutes)
   
   
6. Each group will have 3-4 minutes to defend their choices in light of seeing the choices of the rest of the class on the board. They will attempt to reach consensus on the cabinet amongst all of the groups, led by the teacher. (20 minutes)
   
   
7. The teacher, once consensus has been reached (or is deemed impossible to reach), will reveal the actual cabinet positions to the class, and will lead the class in an evaluative discussion of comparing the government cabinet with the cabinet they have generated, including the following questions (15 minutes):
   1. What differences are there between the two lists?
   2. Why do those differences exist? (ie. Why did the Premier make the choices he did in choosing the cabinet?)
   3. How could/should the current cabinet be improved?
      
      
8. Students will write a short PMI (plus, minus, interesting) journal to evaluate their participation in the activity.

Evaluation of Activity

1. Formative evaluation during lesson (circulating amongst groups)
   
   
2. Informal observation of participation
   
   
3. PMI evaluation of activity
   
   
4. Possible extension activities:
   1. Research more ministries (portfolios) that could be created in the exercise.
   2. Create a similar exercise for another province, territory, or the federal government.
   3. Create a seating plan in the house for the ministers chosen in class. Defend your choices.
   4. Create a “baseball card” for one of the ministers, including their picture on the front and key information on the back.
   5. Evaluate a former cabinet on its composition (particularly in light of historical context).

Adaptations

Give concrete criteria for cabinet selection at the outset of the activity.

Have students brainstorm criteria for choosing a cabinet at the outset of the activity. (ie. What makes a good minister?)

Expand or limit the number of choices to accommodate learning styles or time restrictions.

Submitted By

Paul Allanson, A.D. Rundle Middle School, School District #33 (Chilliwack)
Janet Dhanani, Az-Zahraa Islamic Academy, Richmond
Robert Erickson, R.E. Mountain Secondary School, School District #35 (Langley)
Gavin Hainsworth, Fleetwood Park Secondary School, School District #36 (Surrey)
Derek Turner, Lighthouse Christian Academy, Victoria

NOTE: The ideas and opinions expressed in this classroom activity belong to their authors and do
not necessarily reflect those of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia or the Government
of British Columbia. The Public Education and Outreach office only edits for clarity.

Appendix – Handouts

Appendix A

Printable Version of Appendix A (PDF)

Cabinet Portfolios

Attorney General

The Attorney General is the law officer of the Crown and has a legal duty to see that the administration of public affairs is in accordance with the law. The Ministry is responsible for legal services in two separate and distinct areas - the independent prosecution of criminal matters and the provision of legal services to government. Prosecutions are conducted by Crown counsel who, following a police investigation, independently consider whether there is substantial likelihood of conviction based on the available evidence, and, if so, whether the public interest requires a prosecution. The Ministry provides civil legal services to Cabinet, ministries and certain public agencies to assist them in fulfilling their business objectives in accordance with the rule of law.

www.bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/2009_Sept_Update/sp/pdf/ministry/ag.pdf (10/23/2009)pg. 5

Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation

The Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation is leading the way in building new relationships with Aboriginal peoples founded on respect, recognition and reconciliation. The Ministry provides strategic advice across government and identifies opportunities to work with Aboriginal peoples to facilitate the removal of barriers and stimulate positive outcomes in the province. The Ministry is government’s lead on the New Relationship and is working with First Nations to foster strong governments, social justice and economic self-sufficiency.

www.bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/2009_Sept_Update/sp/pdf/ministry/arr.pdf (10/23/2009)  pg. 6

Agriculture and Lands

The mandate of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands is to enable economic and social development and environmental sustainability for the agriculture, aquaculture and food sectors, supporting them in delivering safe, healthy and high-quality food and to manage Crown land in an innovative manner that contributes to the goals of government. This mandate supports the major changes in direction taken since 2001. Crown land policy, agriculture, aquaculture and food policies, programs and services of the Ministry have shifted from primarily a revenue and economic outlook to one that incorporates economic, environmental and social objectives, which is known as triple bottom line reporting.

www.bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/2009_Sept_Update/sp/pdf/ministry/al.pdf (10/23/2009) pg. 6

Education

The Ministry provides leadership and funding to the K–12 education system through governance, legislation, policy, and standards, and insists on accountability, from monitoring performance to reporting results. The K–12 system serves approximately 580,000 public school students, 69,000 independent school students and 2,700 home-schooled children. Approximately 64,000 Aboriginal students are included in these numbers, as are 4,200 students enrolled in Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique, exercising their right to a Francophone education.

www.bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/2009_Sept_Update/sp/pdf/ministry/educ.pdf (10/23/2009) pg. 6

Energy, Mines, and Petroleum Resources

The Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources manages the responsible development of British Columbia’s energy, mining and petroleum resource sectors. Through the promotion of teamwork and positive working relationships with our clients, we facilitate a climate for thriving, safe, environmentally responsible and competitive energy, mining and petroleum resource sectors. It is through these initiatives that the Ministry will continue to contribute to the economic growth and development of communities throughout British Columbia.

www.bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/2009_Sept_Update/sp/pdf/ministry/empr.pdf (10/23/2009) pg. 8

Environment

The Ministry of Environment manages and delivers a wide range of programs and services that support the government’s goals and objectives, particularly the Great Goal to ―lead the world in sustainable environmental management, with the best air and water quality, and the best fisheries management, bar none.‖ The Ministry is a leader in implementing the government’s climate change initiatives and champions the government’s vision of unifying British Columbians in the response to climate change by engaging many areas of government, First Nations, stakeholders and society in this critical effort.

www.bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/2009_Sept_Update/sp/pdf/ministry/env.pdf (10/23/2009) pg. 8

Finance

The Ministry of Finance plays a key role in establishing, implementing and reviewing government’s economic, fiscal and taxation policies. The Ministry also delivers fair, efficient and effective tax administration and revenue management processes to provide revenues that fund essential government programs, such as health care, education, social services and transportation infrastructure for British Columbians. The Ministry continues to focus on the priorities of fiscal sustainability and a competitive economy that will ensure the Province's success in meeting its strategic goals.

www.bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/2009_Sept_Update/sp/pdf/ministry/fin.pdf (10/23/2009) pg. 6

Forests and Range

The Ministry of Forests and Range, also known as the Forest Service, is the main agency responsible for protecting the public interest in the use of the province’s forest and range lands. More than 90 per cent of British Columbia’s forest and range lands are publicly owned and managed by the provincial government on behalf of the public. Working with all stakeholders the Ministry pursues policies that encourage investment in the forest sector, while realizing that forest practices need to be sustainable to ensure future generations can enjoy the benefits of B.C.'s public forests.

www.bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/2009_Sept_Update/sp/pdf/ministry/for.pdf (10/23/2009) pg. 8

Health Services

The Ministry directly manages a number of provincial programs and services. These programs include: the Medical Services Plan, which covers most physician services; PharmaCare, which provides prescription drug insurance for British Columbians; the B.C. Vital Statistics Agency, which registers and reports on vital events such as a birth, death or marriage; and the Emergency and Health Services Commission, which provides ambulance services across the province and operates HealthLink BC, a confidential health information, advice and health navigation system available by telephone or on the web (see www.healthlinkbc.ca). HealthLink BC also publishes the BC HealthGuide which is available through local pharmacies and operates bcbedline, the provincial acute bed management system.

www.bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/2009_Sept_Update/sp/pdf/ministry/hserv.pdf (10/23/2009) pg. 6

Public Safety and Solicitor General

The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General works to maintain and enhance public safety in every community across the province. The Ministry's portfolio includes: crime prevention; restorative justice; law enforcement; adult custody and community corrections; victim services and addressing violence against women; coroners service; road safety; emergency prevention, preparedness, response and recovery; fire prevention, life safety and property protection; and consumer protection policy, including oversight of the administration of consumer protection legislation by the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority and the Motor Vehicle Sales Authority. The Ministry is also responsible for the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC).

www.bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/2009_Sept_Update/sp/pdf/ministry/pssg.pdf  (10/23/2009)  pg. 4

Transportation and Infrastructure

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure plans transportation networks, provides transportation services and infrastructure, develops and implements transportation policies, and administers many transportation-related acts and regulations. The Ministry also administers federal-provincial funding programs to build sustainable communities. The Ministry is committed to opening up B.C. through innovative, forward-thinking transportation strategies that move people and goods safely throughout B.C., while helping maintain our provincial economy.

www.bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/2009_Sept_Update/sp/pdf/ministry/tran.pdf  (10/23/2009)  pg. 6

Appendix B

Printable Version of Appendix B (PDF)

Cabinet Worksheet