Social Studies, Grade 9 (Canada in the Contemporary World)

Unit 1: Diversity and Pluralism in Canada

Cluster 1: Canada's diversity — identity, Indigenous cultural rediscovery, assimilative policies and residential schools, francophone language rights, discrimination, media and culture, and social justice.

• Factors shaping identity
• Rediscovering First Nations, Inuit, and Métis cultures
• The effects of assimilative policies
• The effects of residential schools
• Language and education laws and the francophone community
• Stereotyping and discrimination

• Mass media and pop culture
• Media and Aboriginal identities
• Media and francophone identities
• Protecting identity, diversity, and culture
• Current issues in Canadian culture and identity
• Addressing social injustices

Unit 2: Democracy and Governance in Canada

Cluster 2: rights, citizenship, and government — human rights and the Charter, Canadian citizenship, parliamentary democracy, the branches of government, the justice system, and Aboriginal perspectives on justice.

• The UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights
• Effects of the Canadian Charter
• Article 23 and linguistic minorities
• Becoming a Canadian citizen
• Canadians who promoted human rights
• Rights and responsibilities of citizens
• Rights and responsibilities as Aboriginal citizens
• Rights and responsibilities as francophone citizens
• Current issues related to citizenship
• Charter challenges and opportunities

• How government affects daily life
• Canadian parliamentary democracy
• The branches of the federal government
• Electoral processes and political parties
• Contemporary political leaders
• The justice system in Manitoba
• Aboriginal perspectives on justice and law
• How democratic ideals shape society
• Advantages and disadvantages of democratic processes

Unit 3: Canada in the Global Context

Cluster 3: Canada in the world — connections and global issues, media portrayals, international organizations, aid, the military role, global citizenship, and globalization.

• Canada's connections with other nations
• Countries where global events are taking place
• Canadian perspectives on global issues
• Decisions of global citizenship
• Comparing media portrayals of issues
• Canada in international organizations
• Canada's international aid and development
• Canada's military role in conflicts
• Canadians contributing to the global community
• Canada's leadership on global issues
• The impact of globalization on Canada

Unit 4: Canada: Opportunities and Challenges

Cluster 4: Canada's opportunities and challenges — geography and demographics, the environment, past injustices and human rights, treaties and self-determination, the economy, power, and building a fair society.

• Physical and human geography of Canada
• Canadian demographics and future trends
• Demographic patterns since the 20th century
• Environmental stewardship and sustainability

• Social and cultural injustices in Canada's past
• Human rights milestones in Canada
• The changing status of women in Canada
• Treaties and Aboriginal rights
• Aboriginal self-determination
• Social and technological changes and quality of life

• Canada as an industrialized nation
• Living in a consumer-based economy
• Consequences of consumer choices
• Poverty and a more equitable society
• Division of power among governments
• Influencing Canada's political and social systems
• Approaches to conflict resolution
• Canadian-American relations