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Civics is the study of community and power.

It means both understanding and getting involved in your community (both school and where you live), as well as how one person fits in to the big picture. 

It is important to learn the practical: Who is our Head of State? Head of Government? What are the foundations of our parliamentary democracy? What are the issues? Why do we need to know these things?

However, the most important aspect of this course is YOU. What do you believe in? What is your personal ideology? Where do you fit on the political spectrum? What does it mean to be a part of the City of Hamilton? Province of Ontario? and State of Canada?

Did You know?

Waterdown, Flamborough, Hamilton and Toronto are all located in the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, Huron/Wendat, and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nations.  Recently, Waterdown dedicated the Souharissen Natural Area to highlight its Indigenous identity and history. Learn more about these Indigenous Nations by clicking on their logo.

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The current seat distribution in the House of Commons (2015)

What does our government look like right now?

Federal Order of Government

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Parliament Buildings (Centre Block), Ottawa
Monarch: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada (www.canadiancrown.gc.ca)

Governor General: Her Excellency Mary May Simon (www.gg.ca)
Prime Minister: The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau (www.pm.gc.ca)
Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition: The Honourable Erin O'Toole (https://www.conservative.ca/team-member/erin-otoole/)
Member of Parliament for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale (www.davidsweet.ca)




Canada is in its 43rd Parliament. The Government has been formed by the Liberal Party of Canada, with their leader Justin Trudeau serving as Prime Minister. Justin Trudeau commands a Minority Government. Learn more here.

 Provincial Order of Government

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Queen's Park, Toronto
Monarch: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada (www.canadiancrown.gc.ca)

Lieutenant Governor: The Honourable Elizabeth V. Dowdeswell (www.lgontario.ca)
Premier-Designate: The Honourable Doug Ford 
Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition-Designate: The Hon. Andrea Horwath 
Member of Provincial Parliament for Flamborough-Glanbrook-Designate: The Honourable Donna Skelley


Currently, Doug Ford's Progressive Conservative Party has formed a Majority Government. Learn more here.

Municipal Order of Government (Part of the Provincial Government)

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City Hall, Hamilton
Mayor: His Worship Fred Eisenberger
Councillor for Ward 1 (Hamilton-Westdale): Aiden Johnson - Westdale DHS
Councillor for Ward 4: Sam Merulla - Sir Winston Churchill
Councillor for Ward 6: Tom Jackson - Sherwood DHS
Councillor for Ward 15 (Flamborough): Judi Partridge (www.judipartridge.ca) - Waterdown DHS
​Ward 15 (East and West Flamborough) HWDSB Trustee - Penny Deathe



Learn more about the City of Hamilton here.

This website was created over two years (2008-2010) as part of a Hamilton Wentworth District School Board initiative to revamp its CHV2O program (CHV2O) and is updated regularily. All resources posted on this website are free to be distributed for educational purposes.

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​Original Writing Team: Ms. D. Alexandre, Mr. A. Cambridge, Mr. R. Flosman, and Mr. N. Tidridge
Webmaster: Mr. N. Tidridge
Waterdown District High School History Department