At a glance
In this activity, students will:
- reflect on the question of inclusion and exclusion,
- work together to examine case studies—including primary sources and events—related to voting rights in federal elections for different groups,
- create a “timeline with attitude” that shows how a group was included or excluded in Canadian democracy over time, and
- find out about the history of the federal vote more generally through a video and an infographic.
Big idea: The right to vote has not always existed for everyone in Canada. For a long time, voting was seen as a privilege: certain groups in the population were excluded at different times. Now all Canadian citizens 18 and over have the right to vote.
Subjects: This activity can be used in a history, social studies, civics or citizenship class.
Language learner version: This activity includes a version for language learners and struggling readers. Plain language and simple sentences make this version ideal for lower-literacy, immersion and second language students. Also, there are fewer activity cards, so students can complete the activity in the allotted time and achieve the same learning outcomes.
Level: Secondary
Time needed: 60 minutes