Our Government Our Election

Objective
The role of elected members of the legislature, the Lieutenant Governor, and the judiciary will be explored to understand how governments are elected and laws are made..

Procedure
1. Using the overhead The Three Branches of Government introduce governance in Saskatchewan.
KEY QUESTIONS

• Can you name any politicians? If so, who? (This is an opportunity to distinguish Canada’s three levels of government as well as First Nations governments, as discussed in Lesson 1.2)
• What do you know about these people and the work they do?

2. To build specific understandings of Saskatchewan's government and politicians, read Saskatchewan’s Governance: An Overview.
KEY QUESTION

• What ways can politicians keep in touch with their constituents, to understand what the public wants?

3. To learn about a few past MLAs and MLA candidates in Saskatchewan, assign Politician Names and Places.

4. To broaden understandings of government’s functions and specific MLAs, assign Considering MLAs and Ministries. Teachers may wish to assign specific MLAs and ministries. Keep in mind that ministers do not need to be from the governing party. NOTE: If this resource is being taught during an election period, this assignment should be adapted by profiling candidates for public office.

FURTHER EXPLORATION
5. Teachers looking for a broader explanation of the judiciary’s role in governance should check out The PLEA: Canada’s Legal System: An Introduction. For an explanation of how judges are required to stay above the political fray, check out Judges and the Rule of Law in lesson four of Democracy and the Rule of Law.

6. Class tours of the Saskatchewan’s Legislative Assembly are an excellent opportunity to better-understand provincial government. Learn more at www.legassembly.sk.ca/visitors