Scouts and Guides Program Overview
Scouts and Guides Program Overview
Scouts and Guides visiting the Legislature will participate in a series of engaging activities that
relate to key concepts of their badge requirements. This 90-minute program consists of three
segments:
- A visit to the Chamber
- An exploration of the Legislative Building through a scavenger hunt
- A participatory mock debate
Topics covered:
- The three levels of Government in Canada and the responsibilities of each
- The roles and responsibilities of MPPs in Ontario, with reference to the concepts of political parties and the electoral process
- The responsibilities of each parliamentary role in Ontario’s Legislature, as well as the legislative process
- The rights and responsibilities of citizenship
- The roles of the Queen and the Lieutenant Governor in Ontario and Canada
- Architectural features and interesting details about the Chamber and the building
- Basic geography of Ontario, including important natural resources
- The symbols of Ontario
- The symbols of the Legislature
Issues we will ask students to consider:
- What happens in Parliament? What is a debate?
- What do MPPs do? How does someone become an MPP?
- What was Confederation?
- What are our rights and responsibilities as citizens of Ontario?
- What is the role of the Queen in Canada?
- What historic traditions do we continue to observe?
Mock Debate:
In this segment of the program, the Scouts and Guides will participate in a mock debate of a fictional provincial bill. They will take on a parliamentary role and some will wear a traditional costume. The roles of the government MPPs, Opposition MPPs, Speaker, Clerk and Sergeant-at-Arms will be assigned at random, so everyone (chaperones included) must be prepared to use their imaginations. Following a guided debate, the bill will be put to a vote.