Grade 11 Canadian Law

The Need for Law

Discussion

• What is the purpose of law?

• Can an act be unjust and legal? (example?)

• Can an act be just and illegal? (example?)

An unjust law is something which is legal but morally wrong eg.Like the government giving out free methadone.

An act can be just but may be illegal. Eg. Speeding to get a loved one to the hospital

Concept Attainment

• Use the worksheet and try to determine the difference between the odds and evens.

• Which group do the testers belong to?

• How can you describe each set with a word or phrase?

Rules • Rules are needed because situations involving more

than one person usually require rules to regulate and control them.

• Think of your school, or workplace, or home, for example, if there were no rules how would this area of your life change?

• Rules only apply to people in the specific game or organization which the rules are made for. (i.e. you’re not bound by the rules of hockey unless you’re playing)

Laws • A law on the other hand is a type of rule used to govern

an action or regulate the way society functions.

• A law is established by a government, and its citizens must obey it or face the consequences.

• We relinquish our right to do whatever we want and agree to follow laws in return for the protection of society.– This is called the Social Contract.

Rules vs. Laws • Rules may be optional depending on what organization

we belong to.– i.e. Ontario College of Teachers, NHL…– If we break the rules we face the consequences of these

organizations, which are usually not too harsh

• A law is a legal rule and applies to everybody in a given society. It is (usually) made and supported by the government and supporting agencies.– There is a formal system for the enforcement of laws.– If a citizen breaks a law they will suffer consequences such as

a reprimand, fine, imprisonment, corporal punishment or death

How They Work • In Canada, we have a democratic system of government

comprised of representatives elected by the people to make or change laws to reflect the opinions of the majority of Canadians.

• In some countries, the people live under a dictatorship (a form of government in which there is one absolute ruler) and have to obey the laws made by one person, or a small group of people, who have not been elected to office.

How They Work • Laws are needed in every society or country to promote

and keep order. Without order, anarchy or chaos develops and in the midst of anarchy society falls apart because nothing can be accomplished. (think Egypt, Libya, etc)

• All laws are rules, but all rules are not necessarily laws. Can you think of a rule and/or law that supports this statement?

5 Functions of Law

• Establish Rules of Conduct– Getting a driver’s licence and rules of the road

• Provide a system of Enforcement– Consequences for getting caught speeding

• Protect Society– Labour laws

• Protect Rights and Freedoms– Freedom of Expression

• Resolve Disputes– Negotiation vs Court

Your Task

• Page 9, #4, 5

• Page 35, #9, 13