Think about it
- How does a minority government in Canada impact the timing of elections?
- What are two ways that an election can be triggered before the fixed date in Canada?
- Why do you think Canada allows elections to be called early instead of strictly following fixed election dates?
- How do the election processes in Canada compare to those of other countries you’ve studied?
- Why do you think Canada’s system requires the Governor General to approve an election rather than letting the prime minister call one directly? In what situations do you think a Governor General might refuse a prime minister’s request for an election?
- The phrase "dropping the writ" is an example of old political jargon. Can you think of other historical or traditional phrases that are still used in politics today?
- Momentum shifts are described as an important part of elections. How do you think unexpected events during a campaign can influence voter decisions?
- Social media plays a huge role in modern elections. Do you think the government should regulate political ads and content on social media the way it regulates traditional media ads? Why or why not?
- Imagine you are running for office. How would you design your campaign to stand out and gain voter support?
- The story suggests that voters sometimes support a party even if its platform changes over time. Why do you think this happens?
- The article discusses how parties try to appeal to different voter groups. How do you think this affects policy decisions?
- The article discusses Canadian unity but also highlights regional divisions. Do you think Canada is truly unified, or are the divisions too strong?
- The article suggests that Alberta’s economic contributions have benefited Canada but also come with environmental consequences. How should Canada balance economic and environmental concerns?
- If Alberta or another province were to seriously consider independence, what challenges might they face? Would it be feasible?
- What is the historical context of Quebec’s separatist movement? How does it compare to western alienation?
- How does media influence public perceptions of national unity and political threats?
- What major policy positions differentiate Pierre Poilievre from Mark Carney in this election?
- The story states that leaders play an outsized role in shaping their parties. Do you think this is a positive or negative aspect of Canadian democracy? Explain your reasoning.
- Why do you think some voters support candidates based on their leadership style rather than their policies? Is this an effective way to choose a leader?
- If Canada faced a major crisis during an election, do you think the caretaker convention provides enough stability? Why or why not?
- Compare the political ideologies of Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre. What historical Canadian leaders had similar approaches?
- The article emphasizes the importance of voting. What are some barriers that prevent people from voting, and how might they be addressed?
- How does media representation influence public perception of political leaders?
*Head to the Curated Library to find the referenced resources*
Define
- Prime Minister
- House of Commons
- Member of Parliament (MP)
- Riding (Electoral District)
- Political Party
- Majority Government
- Minority Government
- Federalism
- Provincial Government
- Opposition Party
- Electoral System
- Dissolution of Parliament
- The Writs
- First-Past-the-Post
- Burma-Shaving
- Mandate
- Campaign
- Ballot
- Incumbent
- Caretaker Convention
- Prorogued Government
- Populism
- Conservatism
- Liberalism
- Progressive Politics
- Nationalism
- Western Alienation
- Separatism
- Referendum
- Tariff
- Trade War
- Inflation
- Supply Chain
- Economic Recession
- Annexation
- Pipeline Debate
- Climate Change
- Biodiversity
- Oil and Gas Industry
- Carbon Tax
Nature Labs Resources
- Federal Election 2025
- Social Studies Terms
- Determine your position: Where do you stand on the political spectrum? (includes activity)
- Create your own political party! (activity)
- Understanding Canada's legal foundation (includes activity)
- All about tariffs (includes activity)
- Uncovering bias in the media (includes activity)
- Uncovering fake news (includes activity)