Ontario · Grade 9
Geography of Canada, Grade 9
- CGC1W
Ontario’s Grade 9 social studies course, from Geographic Skills and Careers to Liveable Communities.
- Units
- 5
- Lessons
- 11
- Skills
- 46
- Provincial exam
- None
- Official curriculum
- Ontario Ministry of Education
Unit by unit
Every skill in the course, with its official code.
Unit 1 · 4 skills
Geographic Skills and Careers
Geographic Inquiry and Skill Development
Skills and Careers in Geography
Skills geography builds
I can describe the skills geographic investigation helps me develop.
Official code: A2.1
Discussing sensitive issues
I can discuss geographic issues respectfully, considering diverse perspectives.
Official code: A2.2
Geography in the news
I can use geographic thinking to understand current events in Canada.
Official code: A2.3
Careers in geography
I can identify careers where a geography background is an asset.
Official code: A2.4
The official wording · 4 outcomes
- A2.1
- describe some ways in which geographic investigation can help them develop skills, including transferable skills and those related to science, engineering, technology, and mathematics (STEM), including geospatial technology skills, that can be applied to the world of work
- A2.2
- apply communication skills, showing consideration for diverse perspectives and experiences, when engaging in discussion of complex geographic issues and sensitive topics
- A2.3
- apply the concepts of geographic thinking when analyzing current events involving geographic issues within Canada in order to enhance their understanding of these issues and their role as informed citizens
- A2.4
- identify some careers in which a geography background and related skills might be an asset, including in geospatial technology-related careers and within the skilled trades
Key ideas
Geographic investigation builds transferable skills like research, mapping, and data analysis.
It also builds STEM and geospatial technology skills used in the world of work and everyday life.
Complex geographic issues affect different communities in different ways.
Good communication considers diverse perspectives and experiences.
Geographic thinking (spatial significance, patterns, interrelationships, perspective) applies to real news.
Watch out for
- Thinking geography is only about memorizing places.
- Not connecting a skill to work or everyday life.
- Assuming everyone sees a geographic issue the same way.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 2 · 11 skills
Interactions in the Physical Environment
Physical Geography and Physical Processes in Canada
Canada's Landscapes and the Forces That Shape Them
Canada's landscapes and landforms
I can identify the characteristics of Canada's landscapes and landforms.
Official code: B1.1
Differentiating physical regions
I can use landscape characteristics to tell Canada's physical regions apart.
Official code: B1.1
Processes that shape the land
I can analyse the processes that formed and keep shaping Canada's landscape.
Official code: B1.2
Patterns, Global Systems, and Identity
Patterns in physical events
I can analyse patterns and trends in Canada's physical events.
Official code: B1.3
Global physical systems and Canada
I can analyse global physical systems and their impact on Canada.
Official code: B1.4
Physical geography and identity
I can explain how Canada's physical geography shapes Canadian identity.
Official code: B1.5
Physical Environment and Communities
Land and human activity
I can analyse how physical characteristics support human activities and communities.
Official code: B2.1
Human impact on natural processes
I can explain how human activities alter natural processes.
Official code: B2.2
Natural hazards and responses
I can analyse natural hazard risks and assess how communities respond.
Official code: B2.3
Climate change consequences
I can analyse the consequences of climate change and assess responses.
Official code: B2.4
How communities value the environment
I can analyse how communities value and protect the natural environment.
Official code: B2.5
The official wording · 11 outcomes
- B1.1
- identify the characteristics of Canada’s landscapes and landforms
- B1.1
- explain how these characteristics can be used to differentiate the various physical regions of the country
- B1.2
- analyze how geological, hydrological, and climatic processes formed, and continue to shape, Canada’s landscape
- B1.3
- analyze and describe patterns and trends in the frequency, severity, and distribution of a variety of physical processes, phenomena, and events in Canada
- B1.4
- analyze patterns and trends related to various global physical systems, and assess their impact on physical processes, phenomena, and events in Canada
- B1.5
- explain how various features of Canada’s unique physical geography, including landscapes and landforms, can contribute to Canadian identity, and analyze the significance of the related symbols and images used in Canada and internationally
- B2.1
- analyze interrelationships between physical characteristics in specific regions of Canada and various human activities and communities that these characteristics support
- B2.2
- explain how human activities can alter physical processes and affect natural events and phenomena in Canada, including in their local region
- B2.3
- analyze the risks that various physical processes and natural events, including disasters, present to communities in Canada, and assess ways of responding to these risks
- B2.4
- analyze environmental, economic, social, and/or political consequences for Canada of changes in some of the Earth’s physical processes, including the impact of climate change, and assess local and regional mitigation and adaptation strategies
- B2.5
- analyze how various communities value Canada’s natural environment, and how their practices and perspectives influence the use and protection of Canada’s natural environment
Key ideas
Canada has distinct landscapes and landforms — mountains, shields, plains, lowlands.
Physical events (floods, wildfires, earthquakes) follow patterns of frequency, severity, and distribution.
A region's physical characteristics shape what activities and communities it supports.
Each has characteristics like elevation, rock type, and relief.
Mapping these patterns reveals where and how often events occur.
Watch out for
- Thinking Canada's land is uniform.
- Thinking natural events are random.
- Thinking human activity ignores the physical environment.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 3 · 13 skills
Managing Canada's Resources and Industries
Managing Canada’s Resources and Industries
Canada's Resources and Where They Are
Types of Canadian resources
I can describe Canada's renewable, non-renewable, and flow resources.
Official code: C1.1
Where resources are found
I can explain how resource distribution relates to physical geography.
Official code: C1.2
Extraction and clean energy
I can analyse how a resource's location shapes its extraction and use.
Official code: C1.3
Industries and the Canadian Economy
Knowledge-based industries
I can identify knowledge-based industries and their importance to Canada.
Official code: C1.4
What decides where industries locate
I can analyse the factors that determine where industries locate.
Official code: C1.5
Industries and global connections
I can assess industries' importance and their international connections.
Official code: C1.6
Careers in Canadian industries
I can identify industry careers and how geospatial technologies help in them.
Official code: C1.7
Land tenure and reconciliation
I can explain land tenure in Canada and its link to Indigenous rights and reconciliation.
Official code: C1.8
Sustainable Resource Development
Models of sustainable development
I can analyse models of sustainable development.
Official code: C2.1
Sustainability issues
I can analyse sustainability issues from multiple perspectives.
Official code: C2.2
Strategies and their effectiveness
I can describe and evaluate resource sustainability strategies.
Official code: C2.3
Who influences resource use
I can analyse who influences sustainable resource development.
Official code: C2.4
The life cycle of everyday products
I can analyse the sustainability of an everyday product's life cycle.
Official code: C2.5
The official wording · 13 outcomes
- C1.1
- describe the characteristics of various renewable, non-renewable, and flow resources that are found in Canada
- C1.2
- explain how the spatial distribution of key natural resources, including water, in Canada is related to the physical geography of the country
- C1.3
- analyze interrelationships between the location/accessibility and the mode of extraction/harvesting and use of various natural resources in Canada, including methods for clean energy production such as nuclear, wind, and solar
- C1.4
- identify knowledge-based industries, and other industries based on human capital, and analyze their economic importance for Canada
- C1.5
- analyze the interrelationship between the main factors that determine the location of sites for different types of industries in Canada
- C1.6
- assess the importance of different industries in the Canadian economy, and analyze interconnections between Canadian industries and those of other countries
- C1.7
- identify some careers in Canadian industries, including the marine sector, the natural resource sector, and tourism, and explain how the use and application of geospatial technologies is an asset in these careers
- C1.8
- explain forms of land tenure and ownership in Canada, including Indigenous land claims and land rights, and examine the interplay between resource accessibility, extraction, and use in this country; Indigenous land rights; and economic reconciliation
- C2.1
- analyze various innovative models of and approaches to sustainable development and how they are designed to foster a healthy environment, society, and economy
- C2.2
- analyze issues related to the sustainable development of various resources and industries in Canada from a variety of perspectives
- C2.3
- describe strategies that industries and governments have implemented to increase the sustainability of Canada’s natural resources, and evaluate their effectiveness from a variety of perspectives
- C2.4
- analyze the influence of governments, industries, advocacy groups, local community organizations, and individuals on the sustainable development and use of selected natural resources in Canada
- C2.5
- analyze issues related to sustainability, with a focus on the resources extracted for, and the production, distribution, consumption, and disposal of, a few products that people living in Canada use in their everyday lives
Key ideas
Renewable resources replenish (forests, fish); non-renewable do not (oil, minerals).
Knowledge-based industries rely on human capital — skills, education, ideas.
Sustainable development balances a healthy environment, society, and economy.
Flow resources (wind, water, sunlight) must be used when and where they occur.
Examples include technology, finance, research, and design.
Watch out for
- Confusing flow resources with renewable resources.
- Confusing knowledge-based with resource industries.
- Thinking sustainability is only about the environment.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 4 · 9 skills
Changing Populations
Canada's People: Demographics, Migration, and Settlement
Canada's demographic trends
I can analyse Canada's demographic characteristics and trends.
Official code: D1.1
Quality of life and well-being
I can analyse the factors behind quality of life in Canada.
Official code: D1.2
Migration and immigration
I can analyse migration and immigration trends in Canada.
Official code: D1.3
Settlement patterns and density
I can describe Canada's settlement patterns and what drives them.
Official code: D1.4
Comparing settlement worldwide
I can compare Canadian settlement characteristics with those elsewhere.
Official code: D1.5
Population Change and Global Issues
Effects of population change
I can analyse the effects of population change and predict future impacts.
Official code: D2.1
Strategies for a changing population
I can evaluate strategies that address Canada's changing population.
Official code: D2.2
Opportunities and challenges of growth
I can describe the opportunities and challenges of demographic shifts.
Official code: D2.3
Global population issues and Canada
I can identify global population issues and Canada's response.
Official code: D2.4
The official wording · 9 outcomes
- D1.1
- analyze the major demographic characteristics of, and trends within, the population in Canada, and compare them to their community, local area, or province
- D1.2
- analyze interrelationships between factors that contribute to quality of life and human well-being in Canada, using a variety of skills, including data analysis
- D1.3
- analyze trends in the migration of people within Canada and in immigration to Canada
- D1.4
- describe patterns of population settlement in Canada, and assess the importance of various factors in determining population size, distribution, and density
- D1.5
- compare settlement and population characteristics of selected communities in Canada with those in other parts of the country and the world
- D2.1
- analyze current economic, social, cultural, political, and environmental effects that changes in Canada’s population are having on people living in various communities in Canada, and predict future impacts of these changes
- D2.2
- evaluate various strategies used by governments and organizations to address the needs of Canada’s changing population
- D2.3
- describe ways in which population growth and demographic shifts within communities in Canada can create opportunities and challenges for individuals and groups within those communities
- D2.4
- identify global population issues that are of concern to people living in Canada, and analyze the roles of individuals, organizations, and governments in Canada, and the actions they take, in addressing those issues
Key ideas
Demographic characteristics include age, gender, ethnicity, and population growth.
Population change has economic, social, cultural, political, and environmental effects.
Trends can be compared between Canada and a student's own community or province.
Current effects can be used to predict future impacts.
Quality of life depends on interrelated factors — income, health, education, environment.
Watch out for
- Confusing a characteristic with a trend.
- Considering only one type of effect.
- Not comparing to another place.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Unit 5 · 9 skills
Liveable Communities
Land Use and Land-Use Planning
Types of land use
I can analyse land uses and how they affect communities.
Official code: E1.1
Environment's impact on land use
I can analyse how the environment and climate change shape land use.
Official code: E1.2
Forces that shape communities
I can analyse the forces that shape communities and their land use.
Official code: E1.3
Urban growth and sprawl
I can assess urban growth and analyse strategies to control sprawl.
Official code: E1.4
Building Sustainable Communities
Sustainable food systems
I can analyse food-system sustainability issues and strategies.
Official code: E2.1
Sustainable transportation
I can analyse transportation systems' sustainability and future options.
Official code: E2.2
Energy decisions and sustainability
I can analyse energy decisions and their impact on sustainability.
Official code: E2.3
Sustainable communities
I can analyse community sustainability issues and strategies.
Official code: E2.4
Culturally informed community design
I can analyse culturally informed design in community planning.
Official code: E2.5
The official wording · 9 outcomes
- E1.1
- analyze the characteristics of different land uses in various communities in Canada, and explain how these characteristics and their spatial distribution affect those communities
- E1.2
- analyze the impact of the natural environment and physical processes, phenomena, and events, including climate change, on land use in the built environment as well as on land-use planning
- E1.3
- analyze some ways in which economic, social, cultural, and political forces affect various communities in Canada, including their land use and land-use planning
- E1.4
- assess the impacts of urban sprawl, compact urban growth, and other types of urban growth on the natural and built environment, and analyze various strategies used to control urban sprawl and/or mitigate its effects
- E2.1
- analyze issues related to the sustainability of Canada’s food system and strategies for managing and/or mitigating these issues
- E2.2
- analyze existing and proposed transportation systems, locally, provincially, nationally, and internationally, with a focus on their sustainability, and assess options for their future development
- E2.3
- analyze the effects of government policies and corporate and individual decisions on energy consumption and production, and assess the implications of these policies/decisions for the sustainability of communities in Canada
- E2.4
- analyze issues related to the social, environmental, and economic sustainability of communities in Canada and various government and community-based strategies developed to address them
- E2.5
- analyze innovative methods and practices being applied in the planning of communities in Canada and around the world that use culturally informed design elements to enhance the sustainability of these communities
Key ideas
Land uses include residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, and recreational.
Canada's food system faces sustainability issues — food miles, waste, food insecurity.
Their characteristics and spatial distribution affect how a community works.
Strategies like local food and reduced waste address them.
The natural environment and physical events constrain how land can be used.
Watch out for
- Thinking land use doesn't affect daily life.
- Thinking food just appears in stores.
- Overlooking the spatial distribution of land uses.
Every skill’s key ideas, worked examples and checks are in MapleMind.Practise this unit
Plan the term
Pick your term and the days you study. Each unit gets its share of the weeks and comes back a week later for a review. The last two weeks go over the whole course.
The official curriculum
This page follows Ontario’s own curriculum for Geography of Canada, Grade 9.
Strands
| Strand | Outcomes | Taught in |
|---|---|---|
| AGeographic Inquiry and Skill Development | Outcomes 4 | Taught in Unit 1Geographic Skills and Careers |
| BPhysical Geography and Physical Processes in Canada | Outcomes 10 | Taught in Unit 2Interactions in the Physical Environment |
| CManaging Canada’s Resources and Industries | Outcomes 13 | Taught in Unit 3 |
| DChanging Populations | Outcomes 9 | Taught in Unit 4 |
| ELiveable Communities | Outcomes 9 | Taught in Unit 5 |
Study it in MapleMind
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Course Companion
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Questions about Geography of Canada, Grade 9
What is Geography of Canada, Grade 9?
Ontario’s Grade 9 social studies course: 5 units and 46 skills, from Geographic Skills and Careers to Liveable Communities.
What units are in Geography of Canada, Grade 9?
1. Geographic Skills and Careers, 2. Interactions in the Physical Environment, 3. Managing Canada's Resources and Industries, 4. Changing Populations and 5. Liveable Communities.
Is there a provincial exam for Geography of Canada, Grade 9?
No. Ontario gives no provincial exam for Geography of Canada, Grade 9.
What comes after Geography of Canada, Grade 9?
Civics and Citizenship, Grade 10, Canadian History since World War I, Grade 10 (Academic) and Canadian History since World War I, Grade 10 (Applied).
Can MapleMind help with Geography of Canada, Grade 9?
Yes. MapleMind teaches every skill of Geography of Canada, Grade 9, step by step, with practice and checks, and its tutor answers questions about any of them. It’s free with daily limits, on iPhone, Android and the web.
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