Local Government in Saskatchewan

 An Instructional Resource for Grade 12

By Loraine Thompson Information Services Limited
SSTA Research Centre Report #03-05: 49 pages, $11

     

    

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  

Introduction

How Was This Instructional Resource Developed?

Why is Local Government Important?

How is This Instructional Resource Organized?

Using This Instructional Resource

Teaching About First Nations Government

Topic 1: What Are the Types of Government in Canada?

Teacher Information

Student Backgrounder

Topic 2: What Do Local and First Nations Governments Do?

Teacher Information

Student Backgrounder

Topic 3: What Are Citizens’ Rights and Responsibilities in  Local and First Nations Government?

Teacher Information

Student Backgrounder

Topic 4: What Do Boards of Education Do?

Teacher Information

Student Backgrounder

Topic 5: What Do Health Boards Do?

Teacher Information

Student Backgrounder

Topic 6: What Are the Responsibilities of a Leader?

Teacher Information

Student Backgrounder

For More Information

   

Appendix – Participating Organizations

Federation of Saskatchewan  Indian Nations (FSIN)

Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations (SAHO)

Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM)

Saskatchewan Learning (SaskLearning)

Saskatchewan School Trustees Association (SSTA)

Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA)

  

Back to: Curriculum


  

The SSTA Research Centre grants permission to reproduce up to three copies of each report for personal use.
Each copy must acknowledge the author and the SSTA Research Centre as the source. A complete and authorized copy of each report is  available from the SSTA Research Centre.
The opinions and recommendations expressed in this report are those of the author and may not be in agreement with SSTA officers or trustees, but are offered as being worthy of consideration by those responsible for making decisions.


  

Introduction

 

How Was This Instructional Resource Developed?

 

Local Government in Saskatchewan:  An Instructional Resource for Grade 12 was developed through a collaboration among six Saskatchewan organizations:

  

More detailed information about the mandate of each of these organizations and the services it provides can be found in the Appendix at the end of this instructional resource.  Each of these organizations contributed staff time, ideas and other resources to this project.  Drafts of this resource were reviewed by representatives of these organizations.

 


  

Table of Contents

  


 

Why is Local Government Important?

 

The local community is where good citizenship begins.  Students of every age can contribute to their community through participation in community projects and volunteer work.

 

Local government is an important dimension of community.  Decisions made by mayor, chief, or reeve and their councils affect the daily lives of students.  For example, students rely on the fire department to keep their homes safe.  They need safe water and adequate sewage disposal for good health.  Students use facilities such as public libraries and swimming pools provided by local government.  They travel on roads and walk on sidewalks maintained by local government.

 

Decisions made by boards of education affect students’ everyday lives.  For example, the textbooks that students read are provided by the board of education.  Health region boards make decisions about allocation of resources that influence the health care services available in local committees.

 

Because many of the services provided by local government are practical, concrete and real, even the youngest child can understand and relate to them.

 

Local government occurs close to home, so there may be opportunities for students to meet elected officials, to observe or read about council meetings, and to debate local issues.  These real-life experiences can help create a sense of connection to the democratic process.  They can build and strengthen students’ commitment to citizenship, both as a participant and as a leader.

 

Students will benefit from learning more about local government.  They will have a better understanding of how their community works, and they may come to realize that their participation in local government as a voter or elected official can make a difference.

 

Communities and the province as a whole will also benefit when students learn about local government.  The students of today are the mayors/chiefs/reeves, councillors, school trustees and health board members  of tomorrow.  They are the people who will lobby for change, lead delegations and vote in the years ahead.  The better that young people are prepared for these roles, the stronger our communities will be.

 

Local Government in Saskatchewan:  An Instructional Resource for Grade 12 is intended to supplement the existing Saskatchewan Grade 12 Social Studies Curriculum Guide.  Students learn about the Canadian government in Grade 12 and the provincial government in Grade 4, so this instructional resource on local government can be used to enhance and enrich students’ knowledge of government.

 


  

Table of Contents

  


 

How is This Instructional Resource Organized?

 

This instructional resource covers six topics:

  

Each of the six topics is organized in a similar manner.

 

Teacher Information – is intended for the teacher’s use.  Each Teacher Information section includes:

  

Student Backgrounder – provides students with basic information about various aspects of Canadian government.  The Student Backgrounder may be photocopied and distributed to students as background information for each topic.  Students should read this material and keep it for ongoing reference.

 


  

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Using This Instructional Resource

Teachers will use this instructional resource in different ways.  You can:

  

This resource is intended to complement, supplement and enrich the ongoing classroom program. Use the topics and learning activities that are appropriate for your students, your community and your instructional program.

 

A section called For More Information appears at the end of this instructional resource.  It includes websites where more information about the topics covered in the resource can be found.  It also provides URLs for the full text of all legislation mentioned in this resource.  All websites listed are suitable for both teacher and student use.

 


  

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Teaching About First Nations Government

 

Many Saskatchewan teachers have First Nations students in their classrooms.  When teaching about First Nations government, ask questions and give assignments to all students in turn.  Don’t expect First Nations students to do all assignments relating to First Nations government, and don’t expect them to have extensive personal knowledge of First Nations issues.  Singling out First Nations students (or any other group of students) can make them feel uncomfortable.

 

Note: This resource highlights First Nations governments and the major local government organizations that provide services to their communities.  Although other groups may exist, they are not detailed here.

 


  

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Topic 1: What Are the Types of Government in Canada?

  

 

  

Teacher Information
Concepts

Canadians have organized themselves into different types of government to meet some of their needs.*

Each type of government has specific responsibilities.

Overview This topic sets the stage for the rest of the unit. It shows where each type of government fits into the total Canadian picture and provides background information for the topics that follow.
Curriculum Connections

For more information about:

   

* The wording of the first concept above is adapted from Teaching About Local Government in Alberta, page 8, by Alberta Education and Alberta Municipal Affairs.  1999.  Edmonton, Alberta.  Adapted with permission from Alberta Learning.
  

Possible Activities

 

1.  Distribute the Student BackgrounderWhat Are the Types of Government in Canada?  Review it with students as necessary to check their understanding of key points.  Ask questions like the following for each type of government, “What is the head of the federal government called?  What are some things the federal government does?  “Where is the headquarters of the government located?”
    

2.  Ask students to complete a chart like the one below which contrasts and compares the types of Canadian Government.**  They can use the information in the Student Backgrounder, library books and the Internet. 

  

  Federal Provincial Urban and Rural Municipalities First Nations Board of Education Regional Health Authority Board
Type of official head            
Name of legislative bodies            
Titles of representatives in legislative bodies            
Areas of responsibility            

  

** Activity #2 is adapted from Saskatchewan Grade Eight Social Studies Curriculum Guide, Saskatchewan Learning.  Used with permission.

  

Below are some possible ways that information about the types of government can be categorized.

  

 

Federal

Provincial

Urban and Rural Municipalities

First Nations

Board of Education

Regional Health Authority Board

Official Head

- Queen

- Governor General

- Prime Minister

- Lieutenant Governor

- Premier

- Mayor (town/city/village)

- Reeve (rural municipality)

- Chief

- Chairperson

- Chairperson

Name of legislative bodies

- House of Commons

- Senate

- Legislative Assembly

- City, Town or Village Council

- Municipal Council

- Band Council

- Board of Education (also called school board)

- Regional Health Authority Board (also called health board)

Titles of representatives in legislative bodies

- Members of Parliament (MPs)

- Senators

- Members of Legislative (MLAs)

- Councillors or alderman (in cities, towns, villages)

- Councillors (in rural municipalities)

- Councillors (sometimes called headmen or headwomen)

- School trustees

- Members of the Health Board

Areas of responsibility

The federal government is responsible for things that affect Canada as a whole.  These include defense, international trade, international relations, customs, immigration, currency, the RCMP, the CBC, Canada Post, the Trans-Canada highway, fisheries, First Nations affairs, national parks, the Canadian constitution, patents for inventors.  

Provincial government responsibilities are defined in the BNA Act, 1867.  These include health care, hospitals, education, forestry, agriculture, tourism, environmental protection, provincial parks, provincial highways, social services.  

Urban and rural municipalities are responsible for things that affect the daily lives of people in the municipality, for example, fire department, police services, streets and roads, building standards and inspections, water and sewer, libraries, recreation facilities.  They also focus on economic development – measures to improve the economic
well-being of people who live in the community.  

First Nations governments are responsible for all aspects of First Nations life.  They have the same responsibilities as urban and rural municipalities, plus education, housing and, sometimes, social services.  Their responsibilities include economic development on the First Nation.  First Nations also deal with federal and provincial governments regarding matters like governance and treaty rights.  

Boards of education govern education in the local community.  They:

·    hire teachers and other staff

·    provide resources for the educational program including facilities, books, computers and sports equipment

·    organize transportation.

They also make some decisions about the program of studies.  

 

Regional health authority boards are responsible for planning, coordinating and overseeing the delivery of health services in each region of Saskatchewan.  

     

3. Review with students the services that each type of government provides.  Ask students to cut ads, announcements, etc. about community programs and services from the newspaper.  Then ask students to categorize their clippings according to who provides the service.  Some categories include federal government, provincial government, municipal government, First Nations government, private business, volunteer community.  Ads can be displayed on a poster called Services We Need.  For example:

  

4. Ask students, “What are the local and First Nation government bodies that provide services to you and you families?”  The answer to this question might be different for each student.  For example, a student who lives on a First Nation uses services provided by the First Nation.  This student might drive on roads maintained by the rural municipality and on streets maintained by an urban municipality.  Ask students to do this activity in groups of two or three.

 


  

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Student Backgrounder

  

What Are the Types of Government in Canada?

   

Canada is a representative democracy.  This means that power resides in the people of the country.  We elect representatives to government bodies who speak on our behalf.  In a democracy, government serves two important functions:

  

There are four types of government in Canada:  federal, provincial/territorial, local and First Nations.  Also, in Saskatchewan, boards of education and health boards have responsibility for many aspects of education and health care.

 

Each of these types of government is described below.

   

Federal Government **

  

The responsibilities of the federal government were first defined in 1867 by the British North America Act, 1867.

 

The federal government is responsible for things that affect all of Canada.  These include defense, foreign policy, citizenship, international trade, customs, immigration, the RCMP, the CBC, Canada Post, the Trans-Canada Highway, fisheries, First Nations affairs, national parks, the Canadian constitution, patents for inventors.

 

The headquarters of the federal government is in Ottawa at the Parliament Buildings.

  

Canada has a system of parliamentary government.  Parliament has three parts:  the Queen, the House of Commons and the Senate.

  

To Find Out

  

1. Who is Canada’s Prime Minister? What political party does she or he represent?
  

2. Who is the Leader of the Opposition in the federal government?  What political party does he or she represent?
  

3. What federal electoral district do you live in?
  

4. What Member of Parliament represents you in Ottawa?  What political party does she or he represent?
  

5. What are some of the most important issues the federal government is discussing right now?  Where does each political party stand on these issues?

  

Federal Elections

  

Canadians vote in elections for the people they want to represent them in Parliament. With each election, the people may re-elect the same Members of Parliament (MPs) or choose new ones.  Federal elections are usually held every four years, but the Prime Minister may ask the Governor General to call an earlier election.  According to Canada’s constitution, an election must be held within five years of the last election.

     

Canada is divided into over 300 electoral districts.  An electoral district is a geographical area represented by a member of the House of Commons.  The citizens of each electoral district elect one Member of Parliament, who sits in the House of Commons.

  

Any Canadian citizen who is at least 18 years old can run in a federal election.  The people who run for office are called candidates. There can be many candidates in an electoral district.

  

The people in each electoral district vote for a candidate of their choice.  The candidate who receives the most votes becomes the MP for that electoral district.  An elected MP represents everyone who lives in his or her electoral district, even the people who did not vote for the MP.  An MP is the people’s link to the federal government.  An MP helps by:

  

People can vote in a federal election if they are:

  

Federal Political Parties

 

Most candidates in federal elections belong to a political party.  A political party is a group of people who share ideas about how society should be organized and about the role that government should play in society.  Some political parties have been around for a long time, but Canadians can and do create new political parties at any time.

  

Before an election, the members of a political party make plans for what they will do if their candidates are elected to form the government. The plans they make are called the party platform.

   

Members of political parties help to:

  

Candidates who do not belong to a political party are called independent candidates.

   

Organizing the Federal Government

   

After a federal election, the party with the most elected representatives becomes the party in power, and forms a Government.

   

The leader of this party becomes the Prime Minister.  The Prime Minister and the party in power run the Government as long as they have the support of the majority of MPs in the House of Commons.

   

The Prime Minister chooses several MPs to become cabinet ministers.  Cabinet ministers are responsible for running federal government departments.  The Prime Minister and cabinet ministers together are called the Cabinet and make important decisions about how to run the country. They also propose most new laws.  Their decisions can be questioned by all MPs in the House of Commons.

  

If a majority of the MPs vote against an important Government decision, the party in power is defeated. The Prime Minister resigns and a new election is usually held.

  

The parties that are not in power are called the opposition parties.  The opposition party with the most MPs is the Official Opposition.  The opposition parties often have differing views from the party in power.  They may have different ideas about the way that society should be organized, the role that government should play in society and the services that government should provide.  They may challenge Government proposals or support them, depending on the situation.

     

**  Description of the federal government adapted from Saskatchewan Grade Eight Social Studies Curriculum Guide.   Saskatchewan Learning, Regina, Saskatchewan.  Used with permission.

  

Provincial Government

  

The responsibilities of the provincial government are defined in Section 92 of the British North America Act, 1867.  Provincial responsibilities include health care, hospitals, forestry, agriculture, tourism, environmental protection, provincial parks, provincial highways, social services, natural resources, licencing of shops, bars and taverns.

  

In some cases, the provincial government shares responsibility with other levels of government.  For example, both the federal and provincial government have some responsibilities for agriculture.  Both the provincial government and local government (boards of education) have responsibilities for education. Both contribute money for schools and teachers’ salaries and each makes decisions about certain aspects of education.

 

The headquarters of Saskatchewan’s provincial government is at the Legislative Building in Regina.  Saskatchewan’s government has two parts:  the Queen and the Legislative Assembly.

  

Provincial Elections

  

The provincial political process is quite similar to the federal process described previously.

  

In order to vote in a Saskatchewan provincial election you must:

  

To Find Out  

 

1. Who is Saskatchewan’s Premier? What political party does she or he represent?

2. Who is the Leader of the Opposition in the provincial government?  What political party does he or she represent?
  

3. What provincial constituency do you live in?
 

4. What Member of the Legislative Assembly represents you in the provincial government?  What political party does she or he represent?
 

5. What are some of the most important issues the provincial government is discussing right now?  Where does each political party stand on these issues?

  

Local Government

  

Local government is sometimes called municipal government.  Local government is responsible for serving citizens in a particular area of the province.  There are two types of municipalities in Saskatchewan:

  • Urban municipalities

  • Rural municipalities.

  

Each of these types of government provides services to a community or certain geographic area of the province.

 

Urban Municipalities

 

Cities, towns, villages and resort villages are known as urban municipalities.  (A resort village is a village near a lake or other vacation spot where most people live only during the summer months or the weekends.)

Urban municipalities are responsible for providing services to the people who live within their boundaries.

  

Most urban municipalities also focus on the economic development of their community. Economic development includes a range of activities that:

  

The responsibilities of urban municipalities are specified in The Urban Municipality Act, 1984.

 

The Cities Act, 2003 was proclaimed in January 2003.  Unlike other municipal acts, The Cities Act does not automatically apply to all cities in Saskatchewan.  A city council must pass a resolution to bring a city under the Act’s jurisdiction.

   

Urban municipalities have a council that consists of a mayor and:

  

All urban councils can change the number of councillors to any even number, by passing a bylaw.  In some urban municipalities the councillors are called aldermen.

   

Elections are held every three years.

  

In order to vote in an election in an urban municipality, you must be:

and either:

or

  

In Saskatchewan, the candidates in municipal elections don’t usually align themselves with federal or provincial political parties, but occasionally a few candidates will identify themselves as a group with common beliefs and give themselves a name.

     

Most council meetings are open to the public.  Anyone can come to observe meetings, and groups or individuals can make presentations to mayor and council on various issues.  In the cities, council meetings are usually televised.

   

Rural Municipalities

 

Rural municipalities (RMs) cover rural areas of southern and central Saskatchewan.  Many of the people who live in rural municipalities live on farms.  Sometimes in rural municipalities that are near cities, the land will be divided into lots or acreages.  Most people who live on these small parcels of land drive into the city for work.

 

The rural municipality is responsible for making decisions about matters of  local concern. A rural municipality’s responsibilities include:

  

Rural municipalities, like urban municipalities, also emphasize economic development.  They often undertake activities to improve the economic well-being of people who live in the community.

 

The responsibilities of rural municipalities are defined in The Rural Municipality Act, 1989.

 

The government of a rural municipality consists of a reeve (head) and councillors.  Each rural municipality is given a number.  In even-numbered years, elections are held for all reeves and for the councillors of odd-numbered municipalities.  In odd-numbered years, elections are held for councillors of even-numbered municipalities.  The term office in a rural municipality is two years.

 

In order to vote in an election in a rural municipality, a person must:

  

In some circumstances, people (and their spouses) who own land in the RM but do not live there are also eligible to vote.

 

People who run in elections in rural municipalities usually do not affiliate themselves with a political party.  They run as individuals and base their election platform on local issues.

   

Rural municipalities cover the central and southern part of Saskatchewan.  Residents of northern communities may petition the provincial government to become northern hamlets, villages or towns if they meet certain requirements.

  

First Nations

 

There are 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan.  The members of each First Nation are Registered Indians as defined by the Indian Act.  A chief and council govern each First Nation.  They are elected by the members of the First Nation.  In Saskatchewan, there are approximately 500 elected chiefs and councillors, of whom approximately 18 percent are women.

  

The responsibilities of a chief and council on a First Nation are broader than those of the councils of urban and rural municipalities.

  

The chief and council are responsible for all aspects of First Nation life.  They look after housing, education and, sometimes, social services in addition to all the services that an urban and rural municipality is responsible for.  Their job also includes economic development – creating jobs, promoting business and generally improving the economic well-being of the people living on the First Nation.

  

The chief and council of a First Nation deal with federal and provincial governments concerning governance matters, treaty rights and economic development.  Thus, their mandate includes responsibilities that link them to other types of government.   

  

The chief and council of a First Nation were not always elected as they are today.  Traditionally, Saskatchewan’s First Nations had hereditary chiefs.  Usually the firstborn son of a chief was trained from childhood in the duties and responsibilities of chief.  A new chief took office when his father died and was usually middle-aged or even elderly when he assumed the responsibility.  Thus, he brought a lot of training and experience to the job.

  

To Find Out

 

1. Do you live in an urban municipality (town, village or
city), rural municipality (farm or acreage) or First Nation?
 

2. What is the name of the municipality or First Nation where you live in?
  

3. Is your school located in an urban municipality, rural municipality or First Nation?
  

4. What is the name of the municipality or First Nation where your school is located?
  

5. Who is your mayor, chief or reeve?
 

6. How many people are on council?  What are their names?

  

The Indian Act replaced the traditional hereditary system with a system of elections.

 

First Nations have two options for election processes.  They can:

  • follow the requirements outlined in the Indian Act

  • follow band custom which means developing their own election act.

  

Some members of a First Nation live on First Nation land (sometimes called a reserve); others live in cities and towns throughout Saskatchewan.  All members are eligible to vote at election time.  The First Nation sends out letters to all its members telling them about the day and place of the election.

    

There are between four and twelve councillors (sometimes called headmen and headwomen).  The chief and councillors usually serve two- to four-year terms.  Candidates for the position of chief and council do not usually affiliate themselves with a particular political party.  They usually run as individuals and respond to the needs and concerns of people on the First Nation.

 

Boards of Education

  

In urban and rural municipalities, boards of education are responsible for delivering the educational program.

  

There are two types of school divisions in Saskatchewan – public school divisions and separate school divisions.  Separate school divisions are the responsibility of the religious minority in the area (usually the religious minority is Catholic).  In addition, there is one francophone school board in Saskatchewan. It is called the conseil scolaire.

    
Each school division is governed by an elected board of education.  Boards of education are sometimes called school boards. The members of the board of education are called school trustees.  The head of the board of education is called the chairperson.

   

Both the provincial government and the local board of education make decisions about education.  For example, the provincial government decides on the curriculum that is to be used.  The local board of education is responsible for delivering the educational program, hiring teachers, deciding on the number of schools, where the schools are to be located, and organizing school transportation.

 

Boards of education also make some decisions about what will be taught. They are required to offer the basic subjects specified in the program of studies, but they can offer additional subjects if they wish. Under some circumstances, locally developed courses can be offered in the schools.

 

School division elections are held every three years.

 

In order to vote in a school division election you must be:

  

Candidates for the position of school trustee do not usually affiliate themselves with political parties.  Usually each person runs as an individual and presents his or her own election platform on local educational issues and concerns.

  

Regional Health Authority Boards

 

Saskatchewan is divided into 12 health regions.  A regional health authority board has been appointed by the provincial government to plan, coordinate and oversee the delivery of health services in each region.  The regional health authority boards are usually just called health boards.  Each regional health authority board has 12 members.  These people are simply called “members of the health board”.  The head of the health board is called the chairperson.

  

The regional health authority boards are responsible for planning, organizing, delivering and evaluating health services within their boundaries.  Although the members of the boards are appointed by the provincial government, citizens can influence decisions made by regional health authority boards.  The meetings are open to the public and anyone can come and observe the meetings.  Media representatives often attend these meetings and prepare reports for the local newspaper or TV station.  Individual citizens or groups of citizens can make presentations to the board about issues that concern them.  Also the regional health authority boards are required by law to set up community advisory networks to give them advice.

 


  

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Topic 2: What Do Local and First Nations Governments Do?

    

Teacher Information
Concepts

Local and First Nations governments provide services that people need.

Local and First Nations governments make decisions that affect the local community.

The decisions made by local and First Nations governments affect each person in the community.

Overview This topic emphasizes that local and First Nations governments provide services that people need and pass bylaws to keep people safe.  It describes the processes that local and First Nation governments use to make decisions and the source of local and First Nations government funds.
Curriculum Connections

 

Possible Activities

   

1. Distribute the Student BackgrounderWhat Do Local and First Nations Governments Do?  Review it with students as necessary to check their understanding.  Ask questions like, “What are some services a rural municipality provides to its citizens?”  “What process does the chief and council of a First Nation use to make decisions?”
  

2. Have students simulate a local government meeting by debating a local issue (real or hypothetical) and passing a motion. Real issues can be those that the local municipality or First Nation is presently addressing.  Hypothetical issues might include:

  

Do appropriate research beforehand and follow parliamentary procedure during the meeting.*

  

Ensure that all students have a role during the activity.  One can be mayor/chief/reeve.  Some can be councillors.  A couple of students can be local government officials who are keeping notes.  Two or three can be media reporters who are observing the meeting, making notes and taking photographs.  The rest can divide up into groups of two to six and represent interest groups that make presentations to council.

 

3. Analyze a local government decision (real or hypothetical).  How will it affect various groups of people in the community?  For example, how will it affect children, teen-agers, parents, seniors?  How will it affect business owners, homeowners, renters?  Will it raise or lower taxes, increase or decrease services? *

  

4. Visit city hall, RM office, band office, etc.  Meet with mayor/chief/reeve, one or more councillors, one or more senior administrators.  Ask each person detailed questions about what they do.  For example, students might ask questions about:

  

Then have students write a job description for each of these people. *

  

5. Observe a meeting of town/city/RM/band council.  (These are open to the public and are televised in several cities)  What were the issues discussed?  What were the various positions on each issue?  How was the issue decided?  If you were making a decision about each of the issues discussed at the meeting, what would you decide?  Why?  How would your decision affect various groups of people in the community – in the short-term?  In the long-term?

 

6. Introduce the concept of mill rate. Rural and urban municipalities set a mill rate each year (number of dollars of tax for each $1,000 of assessed property value).  (First Nations don’t have the power to tax.)  Find out what the mill rate is in your municipality.  Assume that next year the mill rate goes up and taxes increase.  What will this mean for property owners, for people who use services like the fire department, streets, roads, garbage collection, libraries?  If the mill rate goes down, what would the decrease mean for each of these groups of people?

    

7. First Nations governments do not tax.  They receive an allocation of money from the federal government.  The allocation is based primarily on the size of the population.  The chief and council must decide how this allocation will be used.  If more money is spent on one service, then less must be spent on other services.  Have students assume the role of chief and council of a First Nation.  Several interest groups are lobbying for expansion of various community services.  There isn’t enough money to respond to all these requests.  How do you decide on services to be provided, services to be reduced?  What research do you do?  Who do you talk to?

 

8. Debate (or write a position paper on) the following topic:  Lowering local taxes is always a good thing.

 

9. Organize students into groups of three or four.  They are to pretend they are subcommittees of council.  Each subcommittee is to research all the actual costs associated with a particular real or hypothetical service and prepare a yearly budget for the service.  For example, the committee researching the fire department would need to find out the costs of trucks (amortized over several years), the cost of gas and truck maintenance, salaries and benefits, the cost of maintaining a fire hall, etc.
  

* Activities 2, 3 and 4 have been adapted from Teaching About Local Government in Alberta, pages 75, 92, 153-155, by Alberta Education and Alberta Municipal Affairs.  1999.  Edmonton, Alberta.  Adapted with permission from Alberta Learning.

  


  

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Student Backgrounder

 

What Do Local and First Nations Governments Do?

   

Local and First Nations governments are the governments that are closest to the people.  The representatives of these types of governments live in your community; you probably see them downtown and at community functions.  Meetings are held in the local area, so it is easier to attend as an observer or to make a presentation to a local government body.

    

The Role of Local and First Nations Governments

   

Local and First Nations governments have three important jobs:

  

1. They provide services that people need for safety and for a good quality of life.  These services include the fire department, police services, and maintenance of streets and roads.  First Nations governments are also responsible for housing, education and, sometimes, social services.

  

2. They establish bylaws or regulations to promote health and safety, for example, many municipalities and First Nations have bylaws about animals running loose, parking, and safety issues such as the use of firearms.  They sometimes hire officials to enforce these bylaws.

  

3. They focus on the economic development of their community.  Economic development includes a range activities that improve the economic well-being of individuals, citizens and the community as a whole.  Governments may emphasize:  

To Find Out

 

1. Look around your community.  Find at least one example of a situation in which the local or First
Nations government has:

  • provided a service that makes your life better

  • created a bylaw to promote health or safety

  • done something to improve the economic well-being of this community.

  

  

Planning for Services

   

Local and First Nations governments make decisions carefully and try to get input from the public. Individual councillors often ask people what they think about a particular issue.  Individuals or groups sometimes make presentations or write to mayor and council (or chief and council) on specific issues.

   

If an issue is technical in nature, council often gets advice from an engineer or other specialist.  This would be the case, for example, if council was considering upgrading a water treatment plant or renovating a large building.

 

Sometimes public opinion is deeply divided on an issue.  For example, one group of people might strongly support a bylaw that forbids use of pesticides on lawns; another group of people might be vehemently opposed to such a bylaw.  One group of people might want a new park created in a particular area of the community, another group might be strongly opposed because they think it will cause noise and traffic.  In these situations, it is very difficult for council to make a decision that pleases everyone.

  

The mayor/reeve/chief and council discuss issues among themselves at meetings.  Sometimes they all agree on how a particular matter is to be handled, but sometimes there is disagreement and lots of debate.  When there is disagreement, council sometimes seeks a compromise that both sides can accept, but other times there is a vote and losers of the vote are expected to accept the decision graciously.

  

The mayor/reeve/chief and council make decisions through motions or resolutions.  For example, one member of council might say, ”I move we accept the budget proposed for next year.”

  

The procedures after a motion is made vary.  Urban municipalities, rural municipalities and First Nations may all have slightly different processes.  The process may be different for different types of motions.  However, in all situations, there is opportunity for discussion and a vote is held.

  

In urban and rural municipalities, council is rarely responsible for implementing their decisions on a day-to-day basis. Most communities have hired staff who implement the decisions that council makes.  This chief of staff is as follows:

  

Large First Nations usually have a band manager or chief of operations.  Decisions made by chief and council are passed to this person for day-to-day implementation.  Some small First Nations do not have a paid band manager.  In these communities, the chief and council become responsible for actual implementation of the decisions they make.

To Find Out

 

  • In the community where you live, who implements the decisions made by mayor/chief/reeve and council?

  

   

Paying for Services

 

Urban and Rural Municipalities

 

In order to pay for the services they offer to citizens, rural and urban municipalities tax property located within their boundaries.

  

Taxation has three components:

  

Taxation starts with assessment.  Residential and business property are appraised and given an assessed value which reflects what the property would sell for.  Farmland is assessed according to typical market value for land of known productivity.  Productivity means the amount of wheat that can be produced or the number of cattle supported.  Property is reassessed every four years.

  

Once the mayor/reeve and council have consulted with the community and decided on the services to be provided, they figure out how much this package of services will cost.  The next step is to figure out the amount of taxes each property owner must contribute so that the municipality will have enough money to provide the services.  This involves setting a mill rate.

  

The mill rate is the number of dollars of tax for each one thousand dollars of property value.  For example, a mill rate of 10 means that $10 of taxes will be collected for every $1,000 of the assessed value of a property.  A mill rate of 25 means that $25 of taxes will be collected for every $1,000 of the assessed value of property.

  

For example, if the assessed value of a piece of property is $50,000 and the mill rate is 10, the taxes will be $500.  If the assessed value of a house and lot is $90,000 and the mill rate is 25, the property taxes will be $2,250.

  

Often the mayor/reeve and council consider the services to be provided and the mill rate at the same time.  If citizens consider a service really important, they are often willing to pay more tax.  If citizens say that the mill rate (and thus the amount of tax they pay) is too high, then mayor/reeve and council ask them which services should be reduced or cut in order to keep taxes low.

  

To Find Out

 

  • If you live in an urban or rural municipality, what is the mill rate for your community?

  

Even people who do not own property pay property tax indirectly.  For example, if a landlord’s property taxes go up or down, renters living in apartments owned by that landlord can expect their rent to increase or decrease.

  

Similarly, if the property taxes that the owner of a hair salon pays go up or down, so might the price of a haircut.

  

First Nations

 

First Nations have the power to set up regimes to levy property taxes.  To date, they have chosen not to exercise this power.  They receive funding allocations from the federal government.  This is because the 1867 British North America Act (BNA Act), which created Canada as an independent country, passed responsibility for First Nations people, including Aboriginal rights, from the British to the Canadian federal government.

  

The British North America Act, 1867

 

91. It shall be lawful for the Queen, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate and House of Commons, to make laws for the Peace, Order, and good Government of Canada, in relation to all Maters not coming within the Classes of Subjects by this Act assigned exclusively to the Legislatures of the Provinces; and for greater certainty, but not so as to restrict the Generality of the foregoing Terms of this Section, it is hereby declared that (notwithstanding anything in this Act) the exclusive Legislative Authority of the Parliament of Canada extends to all Matters coming within the Classes of Subjects next hereinafter enumerated; this is to say, --

      …

24. Indians and Lands reserved for the Indians.

  

First Nations also receive federal funding because of treaty rights. The term “treaty rights” refers to those guarantees explicitly and implicitly agreed upon through the treaty process.  Under the terms of the treaties, First Nations peoples agreed to share the land in return for specific rights. The leaders who signed the treaties noted that they were not signing the treaty for themselves but, rather, for the children of future generations.  The treaties are like contracts in which both sides commit to certain obligations.  Aboriginal and treaty rights of First Nations peoples received recognition under the Canadian Constitution in Section 35(1) of the Constitution Act, 1982.

   

The Constitution Act, 1982

  

35.(1)    The existing Aboriginal and treaty rights of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada are herby recognized and affirmed.

  

The amount of money that a First Nation receives in its allocation depends mostly on its population.  The allocation of money that a First Nation receives is broken down into categories:  housing, education, etc.
  

The chief and council get input from the community about priorities.  As in every other community, there may be differences of opinion about needed services.

   

Because chief and council have a set amount of money to work with, expenditures in one area may mean reductions in another.  For example, they will need to decide which houses are most in need of painting and which can wait until next year.

  

If they decide that a summer soccer program is the highest priority to keep kids busy during the summer months, there may be less money for the winter hockey program.

  

Because the allocation they receive from the federal government is fixed, some First Nations are looking at additional ways of raising revenue to pay for needed services.  For example, some have started businesses of various types that are owned by the First Nation.

  


  

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Topic 3: What are Citizens' Rights and Responsibilities in Local Government?

     

Teacher Information
Concepts

Local and First Nations governments represent the people of the community.

Individuals have a responsibility to participate in local and First Nations democratic processes.

Individuals and groups can influence the decisions made by local and First Nations government.

Overview This topic emphasizes that local and First Nations governments represent the people of the community.  Citizen participation is the foundation upon which local and First Nations governments are based.
Curriculum Connections

For additional information about:

   

Possible Activities

 

The activities below are grouped into two categories:  basic activities and additional election year activities.

 

Basic Activities

 

1. Distribute the Student BackgrounderWhat Are Citizens’ Rights and Responsibilities in Local and First Nations Government?  Review it with students as necessary to check their understanding of key points.

 

2. Plan a campaign to influence local or First Nations government on a real or hypothetical issue.  Have students plan a presentation to their local municipal council, First Nations chief and council, or city/town/village council.  Students can choose an issue that concerns them, or one that is currently under discussion by council.  As part of their preparation have students observe other delegations to council – in person or on TV (in larger communities).  Ask students to make lists of behaviours that make a good impression on council and behaviours that make a bad impression.  Encourage students to include the effective behaviours in their presentation.  Make arrangements for students to deliver their presentation to council, to a service club or a group of parents.

 

3. Soon you will be able to vote.  Imagine that a candidate for mayor/chief/reeve comes to your door.  What questions would you ask the person about her/his position on services, bylaws, taxes?

  

4. Debate  (or write a position paper on) this topic – “People who don’t vote in local elections shouldn’t complain about that government’s decisions.”  As part of the research for this debate, find out the percentage of people who voted in the last municipal or First Nations election.

  

5. Imagine that you are running for mayor/chief/reeve.  You are planning your election platform. What issues will you focus on?  Why?  What would your position be on each of the issues?  Why?  How would your platform affect various groups in the community?  Write a speech that you could give at a community meeting.  Prepare a written brochure or a script for a TV ad to support your campaign.

 

Additional Election Year Activities

  

6. Select one candidate who is running for mayor/chief/reeve/councillor.  Find out what that candidate’s position is on the issues (by watching the media, interviewing the candidate, and attending public meetings). Track the candidate’s campaign.  What meetings does the candidate attend?  What advertising does the candidate publish?  Does the candidate put any ads on radio or TV?  How does the candidate fare in the election?

 

7. Select one controversial issue in the election.  Why is this issue controversial?  Who does the issue affect?  Find out what each candidate’s position on the issue is.  How is this issue decided in the election?
 

8. Organize an all-candidates forum at the school. Refer to Activity #10 (page 28) in the next section for more information about the process of organizing an all-candidates forum.
 

9. After  the election find out: 

   


  

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Student Backgrounder

   

What Are Citizens’ Rights and Responsibilities in Local and First Nations Government?

  

Canada is a democracy that depends on its citizens to ensure that governments at all levels reflect the wishes of the people.

  

The rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democracy are described below.  These rights and responsibilities apply to local and First Nations governments as well as to federal and provincial government.

   

Citizens are expected:

   

Candidates in local and First Nations elections use a variety of methods to reach voters.  They usually go door-to-door and talk to individuals and families.  They might put flyers in every mailbox, put up posters, or take out newspaper ads.  TV and radio ads are less common in local and First Nations government elections because of their cost.  Sometimes candidates get buttons or pins made to give away.  Many communities organize one or more all-candidates meetings, where all candidates have an opportunity to speak. 

 

In larger communities, candidates in local and First Nations government elections sometimes ask their supporters to help them.  Supporters might put flyers in mailboxes, for example, or go door-to-door speaking on behalf of the candidate they support.
  
The cost of running in a local or First Nation government election varies.  A campaign that features a lot of door-to-door canvassing costs very little, except the candidates’ time.

  

There is a dollar cost when a campaign includes flyers, posters, buttons and the like.  In this case, candidates pay some of these costs themselves and sometimes ask their supporters for financial contributions.

To Find Out

 

As a Grade 12 student, you will soon be old
enough to vote and run for elected office
(or you may already be old enough).

1. What have you done to make yourself aware of local, provincial and national political issues?
 

2. What have you done to express your opinion to government leaders?
 

Think about the possibility of running for elected office.  Why might you decide to run for office?  Why might you decide not to run for office?

  

    


  

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Topic 4: What Do Boards of Education Do?

   

Teacher Information
Concepts Boards of education govern the operation of schools within their boundaries.
Overview This topic describes the types of decisions that boards of education make about the schools within their boundaries and describes how schools are funded.
Curriculum Connections None

   

Possible Activities

  

Basic Activities

 

1.Distribute the Student BackgrounderWhat Do Boards of Education Do?  Review it with students as necessary to check their understanding of key points.
 

2. Introduce the concept of boards of education, their roles and responsibilities.  Distinguish between provincial responsibilities and local responsibilities for education.  Emphasize that public and separate boards of education have the right to tax to raise money to support schools.   (First Nations education councils do not tax.  Although First Nations have the authority to tax, to date they have chosen not to do so.)  First Nations receive an allocation of money from the federal government.  This allocation is provided because of the  terms of the Canadian Constitution and is a component of treaty rights.
 

3. Describe the three types of boards of education:  public, separate and First Nations-controlled (sometimes called an education council).  Public and separate boards of education may have overlapping boundaries.  On a map, locate boundaries of the boards of education in your area of the province.  Ensure that students know the kind of board responsible for their school.
  
4. What is one decision recently made by the board of education responsible for your school?  Get as much information about this decision as possible.  What were the circumstances leading up to the decision?  Then consider how this decision might affect students at various grade levels, teachers, school bus drivers, parents, taxpayers, other groups in the community.
  
5. Assume that you are a school trustee. A group of parents and sports enthusiasts is lobbying the board to build a new school gym.  This would mean a significant increase in school taxes.  A group of property owners is lobbying you just as hard to keep taxes stable or even to lower taxes.  How do you decide?  What research will you do?  Who will you talk to?  No matter what you decide somebody’s going to be unhappy, what do you do then?

 

6. Assume you are a member of an education council on a First Nation.  The allocation of money you receive for education is fixed and will not be changed.  A group of community members is lobbying you hard to start a traditional dance program, so that students can perform throughout the region.  This would mean purchasing costumes and drums, paying for dance instructors, paying for additional transportation, etc.  If you start the dance program you will have to spend less money in some other area of the educational program.  What do you do?

 

7. Soon you will be old enough to vote.  Imagine that a candidate for a board of education election comes to your door.  What questions would you ask the person about the school program, school facilities, busing, taxes?

 

8. Simulate a board of education meeting by debating a local educational issue (real or hypothetical) and passing a motion about the issue.  Do appropriate research beforehand and follow parliamentary procedure during the meeting.

 

9. Ask a school trustee to visit the class.  The trustee can talk about:

  

Additional Election Year Activities

 

10. Have students organize an all-candidates’ forum in your school.  Invite everyone who is running for the board of education to attend and present their election platform.  Ask someone who is respected in the community to chair the forum.  This might be the school principal, the mayor, a local businessperson who is known to be fair and impartial. Ensure that all high school students attend the forum and invite parents and the public.

 

To ensure maximum student learning from this event:

   


  

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Student Backgrounder

  

What Do Boards of Education Do?

   

School Divisions

 

In Saskatchewan, responsibility for education is shared between the provincial government and boards of education that are elected to manage education in each school division.  (Boards of education are sometimes called school boards.)  For example, the provincial government establishes the curriculum and boards of education are responsible for its delivery in the school division.  The Education Act 1995 (Section 85) lists the duties of boards of education.

  

Boards of education provide educational leadership within their own communities. Together, all the boards of education in Saskatchewan play a major role in shaping the present and future direction of education in this province.

  

Boards of education are responsible for ensuring that every student receives an appropriate education.  The board of education is responsible for approving the program of studies and ensuring that resources are available to support the learning program.  The resources needed for education include:

  

The board of education also organizes transportation, so that students can attend school.

  

Boards of education face many challenges:

Boards of education usually gather public opinion and get factual information before they make decisions.  For example:

  

After the board of education has made a decision, responsibility for implementing the decision is passed to the director of education, principals, teachers and other staff.  Most boards of education have limited involvement in the day-to-day operations of the school division.

 

Boards of education raise money to pay for the educational programs in the school division by levying a property tax on the property within their boundaries.

  

Each year, the board of education decides on the educational priorities for the next year.  A lot of public consultation usually occurs before final decisions about educational priorities and programs are made.

  

When the educational priorities and program for the year have been established, school division staff figure out how much the program will cost, then a mill rate is set to raise the money to pay for the program.  The mill rate is the number of dollars of tax for each one thousand dollars of property value.  For example, a mill rate of 12 means that $12 of taxes will be collected for every $1,000 of the assessed value of property.  A mill rate of 30 means that $30 of taxes will be collected for every $1,000 of the assessed value of property.

  

Sometimes the local board of education considers educational priorities and the mill rate at the same time.  If an educational service or program is very important to the community, then citizens may be willing to pay more taxes.  If citizens say that the proposed mill rate (and thus the amount of tax they pay) is too high, then the board of education will ask citizens to suggest how programs can be changed in order to lower the mill rate.

  

Once the school mill rate is set, the urban or rural municipality collects the school tax on behalf of the board of education when it collects municipal taxes.  Each taxpayer gets one local tax bill.

    

First Nations

 

Each First Nation has an education committee.  The education committee is sometimes called the board of education depending on local preference.  The education committee may be elected by the people of the First Nation or appointed by the chief and council.

  

The education committee is responsible for ensuring that students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 who live on the First Nation receive an appropriate education.  They also look after post-secondary education for all their members, including the members who do not live on the First Nation.  They make decisions about education for their First Nation.  First Nations education committees face many of the same challenges as boards of education. People have different opinions about what a good education is.  The money available for education is limited so they must decide on the best uses for the money they have.

  

In Saskatchewan, First Nations receive an allocation of money from the federal government for education, because First Nations people are a federal responsibility and because of treaty rights.  The treaties are like contracts in which both sides commit to specific obligations and responsibilities.  The amount of the allocation depends mostly on the number of students to be educated.

         

When the First Nation has a significant number of school-age members, the federal government provides money for a school.  Then the education committee hires teachers, oversees the educational program, arranges for purchase of books and equipment, and plans for student transportation and school maintenance.

   

When the number of school-age youth living on the First Nation is considered too small to warrant a school, students are bussed to a nearby school operated by a school division.  The First Nation pays the school division a fee for the educational services it provides.

  

The amount of money that a First Nation receives for education is a fixed allocation, so the education committee has to set priorities.  If they buy a new computer system for the school, there may be less money to spend on books and videos.  If they decide to hire more teachers in order to have smaller classes, they will have to spend less money elsewhere.

   

Like other local government bodies that serve the community, the education committee on a First Nation usually gets input from parents, the community as a whole, students and school staff before they make decisions about educational priorities.

To Find Out

 

1. What is the name of the board of education or First
Nations education committee that governs your school?
 

2. Who is the chair of your board of education or education committee?
 

3. How many school trustees are there?  What are their names?

4. What are the big issues the board of education or education committee is dealing with right now?  What is your opinion about these big issues?

  

   


  

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Topic 5: What Do Health Boards Do?

     

Teacher Information
Concepts

Health boards make decisions about health services for their region. 

Health boards must decide how the resources available to them will be used for maximum benefit to the community.

Overview This topic describes what health boards are and what they do.  It emphasizes that health boards must sometimes make difficult decisions.
Curriculum Connections

For more information about:

  

Possible Activities

 

1. Distribute the Student BackgrounderWhat Do Health Boards Do?  Review it with students to check their understanding of key points.

 

2. Have students contact the local health region office or use the Internet to find out:

    

3. Have students simulate a health board meeting. The board is discussing whether to set up a hemodialysis unit at the local hospital.  This would mean a large expenditure of money, but it would also mean that people who need hemodialysis can get their treatment closer to home.  Ask students to research hemodialysis – What is it?  Who needs it?  What staff and equipment are needed?  How much would a hemodialysis unit cost to set up?  What would be the yearly cost?  Students can interview local health professionals and use the Internet to get information.
  
During the simulated health board meeting, 11 or 12 students can be health region board members.  One can act as the health region CEO.  Others can make presentations to the board, for and against creation of the hemodialysis unit.  One or two students can be newspaper and TV reporters who observe the meeting and take notes and photographs.
  
What factors do students have to consider when they make a decision?  No matter what decision they make, they can’t please everyone.  Some people will be unhappy.  How do they cope with this?
  
This same simulation process can be used to explore many other potential decisions.  Some ideas include:

  

4. Have students get information about some of the big decisions the local health board is facing right now.  This can be done by interviewing board members or by inviting a board member to speak to the class.  Then create a simulation based on a real-life, local health issue.  As part of their research, students can interview local people, gather local statistics, collect news articles and letters to the editor from the local newspaper.

   


  

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Student Backgrounder

  

What Do Health Boards Do?

  

In Saskatchewan, 12 Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) plan, coordinate, oversee and deliver health services. The 12-person board of each Regional Heath Authority is appointed by the provincial government. 

  
The members of the health boards are representative of the communities they serve.  The membership includes a balance of young and old people, and people from all over the region. The responsibilities of the health boards are defined in The Regional Health Services Act, 2002 (Section 27).

  

In general, health boards are responsible for planning, organizing, delivering and evaluating health services in their region.  This means that they are responsible for hospitals, ambulance services, home care for seniors and people with disabilities, long-term care for seniors and well baby clinics where babies get their shots.  They are also responsible for programs that prevent illness like stop-smoking programs and diabetes prevention programs.

  

Health boards are decision-making bodies. They are responsible to the public and to the provincial government for the decisions they make.  Health boards have limited involvement in the day-to-day operation of the health region.  Once they make a decision they pass that decision to their chief executive officer (CEO) for implementation.  The board and the CEO are a team. The CEO implements the board’s decisions, and also advises the board on technical, medical and administrative issues.  The CEO works with the doctors, nurses, health educators, technicians and other professionals employed by the health region to deliver quality health care.

  

The meetings of the health board are open to the public – anyone can come to observe.  Reporters often attend these meetings and information about the board’s decisions may appear in the newspaper, on radio or TV.  Members of the public can make presentations to the board about issues that are important to them.

   

The Regional Health Services Act, 2002

 

Responsibilities and Powers of
Regional Health Authorities

Responsibility for health services

27(1)   A regional health authority is responsible for the planning, organization, delivery and evaluation of health services it is to provide:

      (a)  within its health region; and

      (b)  within any other area that may be directed by the minister.

(2)   In carrying out its responsibilities pursuant to subsection (1), a regional health authority shall:

      (a)  assess the health needs of the persons to whom the regional health authority provides health services;

      (b)  in accordance with section 50, prepare and regularly update an operational plan for the provision of health services;

      (c)  provide the health services that the minister, pursuant to clause 52(b), determines that the regional health authority is to provide;

      (d)  co-ordinate the health services it provides with those provided by other providers of health services;

      (e)  evaluate the health services that it provides;

      (f)  promote and encourage  health and wellness; and

      (g)  do any other things that the minister may direct.

(3)   A regional health authority shall comply with this Act and the regulations. 

   

There is also a more formal mechanism for getting community input.  The legislation requires that every health board set up at least one community advisory network to provide advice to the  health board about health services.  The structure of these community advisory networks varies from one health region to another, but all are comprised of community volunteers.   

Health boards do not have the authority to levy taxes.  Funds for health services are provided by the provincial government.  Because the funds health boards receive are limited, board members sometimes have to choose how these funds will be used.  “Will they have two small hospitals or one big one?  Will they put a lot of money into programs to prevent smoking, diabetes or obesity, or will they focus on the Emergency Department?”  Community members may have different opinions about matters like these, so the health board’s job is sometimes difficult.

To Find Out

 

1. What is the name of the health board
that serves the area where you live?
 

2. Who is the chair of the health board?
 

3. What are the names of the health board members?

4. What are some of the big issues the health board is dealing with right now?  What is your opinion about these big issues?

  

   


  

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Topic 6: What Are the Responsibilities of a Leader?

     

Teacher Information
Concepts

Leaders have specific jobs to do (go to local government meetings, make decisions, etc.).

Leaders have responsibilities to the community (to consider everyone’s interests, to lead by example, etc.).

Overview This topic emphasizes that leaders have certain responsibilities and obligations, and fulfill many roles.
Curriculum Connections

For more information about:

  

Possible Activities

  

1. Distribute the Student BackgrounderWhat Are the Responsibilities of a Leader?  Review it with students as necessary to check their understanding of key points.

2. Local and First Nations government officials such as mayor/chief/reeve, councillors, school trustees, and health board members play many roles. ***

They can be:

  

For each of the roles, ask students to respond to the following questions:

  

Divide students into groups of two or three.  Assign two or three roles to each group.  Have each group answer the questions for the role assigned to them and then report their answers back to the whole class.
    
*** Activity #2 is adapted from Teaching About Local Government:  School Boards.  Pages 72-77 by Alberta Learning and Alberta School Boards Association.  2000.  Edmonton, Alberta.  Adapted with permission from Alberta Learning.

   


  

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Student Backgrounder

 

What Are the Responsibilities of a Leader?

   

There are two types of leaders in every community: informal leaders and formal leaders.  Informal leaders are people who lead and influence others simply because of who they are.  They may be known as someone who lives an outstanding life, is very fair, works hard, contributes a great deal to the community, has a charismatic personality.

  

Formal leaders are people who are leaders because of the position they hold.  In a community, the mayor or the chief are leaders because they have been elected to the position of leader.  In an office, the executive director is a leader because s/he has been hired for that job.

  

To Find Out

 

1. Who are the informal leaders in your community? 
Why are these people leaders?
 

2. Who are the formal leaders in your community? Why are these people leaders?

3. Did you and your classmates identify the same people as community leaders?
 

4. Why might you have different opinions about who the leaders are?

  

How Do Leaders Lead?

 

Both informal and formal leaders lead others in several ways:

  • They lead by example – For example, a person who contributes a lot to the community, always speaks up for the underdog, and/or listens carefully to all sides of an issue is leading by example.  They are providing a good role model that others can look up to and pattern themselves after.

  • They lead through persuasion – Some leaders are good at convincing other people to see their point of view and at persuading others to share their beliefs.

  • They lead by getting things done –Some people seem to have a gift for getting things done – for accomplishing projects, achieving results. They are seen as people who can cut through red tape, resolve conflicts, find common goals, plan efficiently.  These people are leaders because they always find a way to accomplish goals.  Citizens know that if they follow such a leader, they are more likely to achieve good results for the community.  

     

Local and First Nations government leaders lead in another way.  They represent the people of the community and have the legal authority to make decisions on behalf of the community.  Their positions give them the right to make certain decisions and to take the actions necessary to implement those decisions.

      

To Find Out

 

1. What qualities do you expect a leader to have?
 

2. How does your view about the qualities a leader should have compare to that of your classmates, your parents?

  

What Do We Expect of Leaders?

    

Most of us expect certain things of our leaders.  As a minimum, we expect them to be honest with money, to tell the truth, and to put the community’s interests before their own.

What Roles Do Local and First Nations Government Officials Play?

  

Local and First Nations government officials such as mayor/chief/reeve, councillors, school trustees and health board members play many roles.  They can be:  

  

*** Description of roles played by local and First Nations government officials adapted from Teaching About Local Government in Alberta:  School Boards,  pages 72-77, by Alberta Learning and Alberta School Boards Association.  2000.  Edmonton, Alberta.  Adapted with permission from Alberta Learning.   

  


  

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For More Information

  

 

 

 

 

Visit the websites listed below for more information about some of the topics covered in this instructional resource. The URLs listed were correct as of early March 2003.

   

British North America Act, 1867 (BNA Act)
This site provides the full text of the BNA Act which established Canada as an independent country and specified that Indians are a federal responsibility.

  

The Cities Act, 2003
The Cities Act describes the purpose and responsibilities of Saskatchewan’s cities and outlines the relationship between the cities and the province of Saskatchewan.

 

Constitution Act,1982
This Act repatriated the Canadian Constitution and gave recognition to the Aboriginal and treaty rights of First Nations people.

  

Education Act, 1995
Section 85 of The Education Act specifies the duties and powers of boards of education. 

  

Elections Canada
The Elections Canada website lists all of Canada’s Members of Parliament, provides federal constituency maps, and describes how federal elections are organized.  A classroom kit that models voting procedures is available from Elections Canada.

     

Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN)
The FSIN represents Saskatchewan’s First Nations.

  

Government of Canada
This website gives names and contact information for all the members of Parliament, cabinet ministers, members of the Senate and the Prime Minister.  The site is reorganized frequently, so check the A to Z index under Parliament.  This website also includes a lot of information about the way Canadian government works.

  

Government of Saskatchewan
This website gives names and contact information for all members of the Legislative Assembly, Cabinet Ministers, Premier and Lieutenant Governor.  The website is reorganized frequently, so check under these search terms when necessary.
 

Indian Act, 1985
This website provides lists of Saskatchewan’s First Nations and Tribal Councils and a map showing the location of the First Nations.

   

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
This website provides lists of Saskatchewan’s First Nations and Tribal Councils and a map showing the location of the First Nations.

   

Regional Health Services Act, 2002
This Act created Saskatchewan’s 12 Regional Health Authorities.  Section 27 defines the responsibilities of the RHAs.

 

Rural Municipality Act, 1989
This Act defines the responsibilities of Saskatchewan’s rural municipalities.

  

Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations (SAHO)
SAHO represents more than 160 health agencies in Saskatchewan.  This website includes members’ names and addresses, detailed information about the services that SAHO provides and news about current events in the healthcare field.
 

Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM)
SARM is the independent non-governmental association that represents rural municipalities in Saskatchewan. This website provides detailed information about SARM’s members, directors, current policies and publications.
  
Saskatchewan Health
This website includes links to Saskatchewan’s 12 health regions, including maps, mailing addresses, phone and fax numbers, names of board members and information about services provided.
 

Saskatchewan Learning
for general information for social science curriculum documents
Saskatchewan Learning is the provincial government department responsible for K-12 education in Saskatchewan.  Most curriculum documents published by Saskatchewan Learning are available online.

   

Saskatchewan Municipal Directory
This directory contains detailed information about all of Saskatchewan’s urban, rural and northern municipalities.  Mailing addresses, phone and fax numbers, names of mayor, councillors and senior staff are provided.  Some maps are also included.  This site contains links to additional information about Saskatchewan municipalities such as their duties and powers and election procedures.

   

Saskatchewan School Trustees Association (SSTA)
Provides information about the role and formation of the SSTA and links to all of Saskatchewan’s school divisions.

  

Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA)
SUMA is the independent non-governmental association that represents urban municipalities in Saskatchewan. This website provides detailed information about SUMA’s members, directors, current policies and publications.

   

Urban Municipality Act, 1984
This Act defines the responsibilities of Saskatchewan’s urban municipalities.

  


  

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Appendix - Participating Organizations

  

Local Government in Saskatchewan:  An Instructional Resource for Grade 12 was developed through a collaboration among six Saskatchewan organizations:

  

Each of these organizations contributed ideas, staff time and other resources during the development of this instructional resource.

 

Short descriptions of each of these organizations follow.  The information in these descriptions and the addresses and phone numbers were correct as of spring 2003, but may be subject to change in the future. 

   

These descriptions will be useful as teacher background information.  They might also be of interest to students.  For example, students who require enrichment might research one or more of the agencies in detail, and make a poster, write a report or make a presentation detailing their findings.  If you ask students to write a report about any of the six partner organizations, use it as an opportunity to teach the writing process.  The Saskatchewan Secondary Language Arts Curriculum  uses the graphic below to illustrate the writing process.

    

For more information about the writing process go to:

   

  


  

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Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN)

   

What is the FSIN?

    

  

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations represents Saskatchewan’s 74 First Nations.
  

The main components of the FSIN’s governance structure are:

  • Legislative Assembly (Chiefs-in-Assembly) – Each First Nation that is a member of the FSIN has one vote.  First Nations usually ask their chief to represent them in the Legislative Assembly.

  • Executive – Consists of an elected chief and four elected vice-chiefs.  Their term of office is three years.

  • Senate – The FSIN Senate is a cultural and spiritual body that provides guidance to the Legislative Assembly, executive and Chiefs and council and First Nations officials of all
    types regarding First Nations laws, customs and government, Treaty obligations and history, and traditional or customary practices of Indian governance.  

FSIN Goals and Objectives

 

  • The protection of Treaties and Treaty Rights.

  • The fostering of progress in the economic, education and social endeavours of First Nation people.

  • Co-operation with civil and religious authorities.

  • Constructive criticism and thorough discussion on all matters.

  • The adherence to democratic procedure.

  • The promotion of respect and tolerance for all people.

  

      

In addition to the bodies listed above, the FSIN has organized several commissions and councils with specific responsibilities such as justice, economic development, and education.  A First Nations Women’s Council provides women with a voice.

 

The decisions that are made by the Legislative Assembly and the Executive are passed to the Chief of Staff for implementation.  The Chief of Staff supervises a staff comprised of specialists and consultants in areas like education and economic development, accountants, as well as administrative and clerical people.

  

Saskatchewan’s First Nations are organized into 10 Tribal/Grand Councils (nine independent First Nations do not belong to a Tribal Council).  The Tribal Councils are political units that assist First Nations in achieving their political, social, educational, health, financial and cultural goals.  Each Tribal Council/independent First Nation has representation at the FSIN commissions.  This ensures linkages and liaison throughout all levels of Indian government.

  

What Services Does the FSIN Offer?

  

The FSIN focuses on the well-being of First Nations peoples in Saskatchewan.  It protects Treaties and Treaty Rights (Treaties 2, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10 cover Saskatchewan). The FSIN also fosters the economic, educational and social endeavours of First Nations peoples.

 

The FSIN operates several institutions that serve First Nations people and the public as a whole.  These institutions include:

  

For more information about the FSIN visit their website at http://www.fsin.com.

 

For a list of Saskatchewan’s First Nations, Tribal Councils and a map of Saskatchewan showing the location of the First Nations go to the website of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.

    

Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations

 

Head Office

Asimakaniseekan Askiy Reserve

Suite 200 – 103A Packham Avenue

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

S7N 4K4

Telephone: (306) 665-1215

Fax:           (306) 244-4413

 

Regina Sub Office

Regal Plaza

Suite A – 1680 Albert Street

Regina, Saskatchewan

S4P 2S6         

Telephone: (306) 721-2822

Fax:           (306) 721-2707

 

Fort Qu’Appelle Sub Office

Treaty Four Governance Centre

120 – 740 Sioux Avenue

Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan

S0G 1S0

Telephone: (306) 332-2556

Fax:           (306) 332-2557

 


  

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Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations (SAHO)

  

What is SAHO?

 

The Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations is a non-profit, non-government association of health  agencies in Saskatchewan.   Members include Saskatchewan’s regional health authorities, independent hospitals and special care homes, as well as various agencies and associations that provide heath services, education and/or regulations.

  

Over 160 organizations are members of SAHO.

  

A 15-person board of directors, which includes a chair and a vice-chair provides directions for SAHO’s work.  

What Services Does SAHO Offer to Its Members?

  

Services SAHO provides to its members include:

  • communications and advocacy (representation of members’ interests to government and other groups, a quarterly member newsletter, communications assistance)

  • support and education for boards and administrators (seminars, manuals, annual convention, facilitation of inter-district meetings)

  • human resources (collective bargaining and employee relations assistance for employers)

SAHO’s Vision

 

An influential organization empowered by the membership to represent the collective interests of the members.

 

SAHO’s Mission

 

SAHO’s mission is to serve our membership through leadership, advocacy, support and programs.

 

SAHO’s Values

  • Communicating openly and honestly.

  • Building partnerships based on trust and understanding.

  • Fostering relationships built on respect, teamwork and learning.

  • Demonstrating loyalty, commitment and accountability to those we serve.

  • Striving for continuous improvement.

  

   

For more information about SAHO visit their website at http://www.saho.org/.

   

Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations

 

1445 Park Street

Regina, SK

S4N 4C5

Telephone:   (306) 347-5500

Fax:             (306) 525-1960

 


  

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Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM)

  

What is SARM?

 

The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) is the independent non-governmental association that represents rural municipal government in Saskatchewan.

  

SARM’s members are Saskatchewan’s 297 rural municipalities.  All municipalities belong to SARM on a voluntary basis.

  

The Association is governed by an eight-member board that is elected by delegates at the SARM Annual Convention in March.  All board members must be elected rural municipal officials from their local municipality.

 

The President and Vice-President are elected each year and serve a one-year term.  Other board members serve a two-year term.  The president of the Rural Municipal Administrators Association sits as an ex-officio member of the SARM board. 

SARM’s Vision and Mission Statements

 

Vision

  • SARM’s vision is a strong Saskatchewan where rural municipalities are autonomous, prosperous, and secure.

 

Mission

 

  • The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities will act professionally and competently in providing services and supports to meet the demands and expectations of its member municipalities.

  

   

What Services Does SARM Offer to Its Members?

  

SARM serves its members in a variety of ways:

   

For more information about SARM visit their website at http://www.sarm.ca.

 

Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities

  

2075 Hamilton Street, Regina, SK

S4P 2E1

Telephone:  (306) 757-3577

Fax:            (306) 565-2141

 


  

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Saskatchewan Learning (SaskLearning)

  

What is Saskatchewan Learning?

 

Saskatchewan Learning is the provincial department responsible for education in Saskatchewan.

  
Saskatchewan Learning’s general website address is http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca.

 

What Services Does Saskatchewan Learning Offer?

  

Saskatchewan Learning develops curriculum for K-12 education, coordinates special education services, facilitates the SchoolPLUS vision and provides many more services to schools, school divisions and communities.

  

Social Studies teachers will find the online curriculum guides for K-12 education very helpful.  Curriculum guides for 12 different subject areas are available online.  Social science curriculum guides, bibliographies, information bulletins and other assorted document are available at http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/social.html.

  

Saskatchewan Learning

  

2220 College Avenue

Regina, Saskatchewan

S4P 3V7

Telephone – Social Sciences Unit:  (306) 787-6136

  


  

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Saskatchewan School Trustees Association (SSTA)

  

What is the SSTA?

 

The Saskatchewan School Trustees Association represents Saskatchewan boards of education.  Membership in the Association is voluntary.  It is governed by a 14-person Executive which includes a president, vice-president and directors representing various areas of the province.

  

All the members of the Executive have been elected as school trustees in the regions they represent.  Day-to-day work is carried out by a 15-person staff in the SSTA’s Regina office.

  

What Services Does the SSTA Offer to Its Members?

  

The SSTA’s services to its member boards of education include:

  • advocacy – advocating for children and education, reflecting the voice of the public, and representing the interest of boards of education with government

  • trustee development – providing workshops and training courses for school trustees

  • legal services – providing legal services to boards of education on a fee-for-service basis.  Legal areas often addressed include student discipline, employment of teachers and other staff, and the requirements of The Education Act, 1995

  • employee relations – helping boards of education negotiate contracts with teachers and others

  • education and research – conducting research on current issues in education, and preparing printed and online publications

  • communications – publishing a newsletter for trustees, maintaining a website and giving boards of education advice on working with the media

  • insurance plan – offering member boards of education insurance to cover buildings, buses and accidents

  • employee benefits plan – proving a plan which allows boards of education to offer benefits such as life insurance, vision and dental care to non-teaching employees.

SSTA Mission and Beliefs

 

Mission Statement

 

The Saskatchewan School Trustees Association, as a democratic and voluntary organization, ensures advocacy, leadership and support for member boards of education by speaking as the voice for quality public education for all children, offering opportunities for trustee development and providing  information and services.

 

Statement of Beliefs

 

The Saskatchewan School Trustees Association believes:

  • Every child has the right to equality of educational opportunity and equity of education benefit.

  • Education is a shared responsibility of the school, home, church and community.

  • Quality public education benefits all members of society.

  • The governance of education is best provided by fiscally responsible boards accountable to their electorate.

  • Board of Education autonomy is essential to high quality public education and is achieved by providing boards with decision-making and taxing authority.

  • Educational decision-making is enhanced by the involvement of parents and other members of the community.

  

    
For more information about the SSTA visit their website at http://www.ssta.sk.ca.

  

Saskatchewan School Trustees Association

  

400 – 2222 – 13th Avenue

Regina, Saskatchewan

S4P 3M7

Telephone:  (306) 569-0750

Fax:            (306) 352-9633

 


  

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Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA)

  

What is SUMA?

 

The Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association represents urban municipalities.

  

Membership in SUMA is voluntary and is open to cities, towns, villages, resort villages, northern villages and northern hamlets.  SUMA’s membership represents approximately 75 percent of Saskatchewan’s population.

  

A Board of Directors provides direction for the organization.  The board is comprised of:  

SUMA Mission Statement

 

The Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association is a federation of urban governments, which, through strength in unity, advocates, negotiates and initiates improvements in local, provincial and federal legislation, programs and services to enhance urban life in Saskatchewan.

  

  

What Services Does the SUMA Offer to Its Members?

  

SUMA serves its member municipalities by:

  

For more information about SUMA visit their website at http://www.suma.org/.

 

Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association

  

#200 – 1819 Cornwall Street

Regina, Saskatchewan

S4P 2K4

Telephone:  (306) 525-3727

Fax:            (306) 525-4373 

  


  

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