The town of Jupiter has a central park that is a major recreational centre for the town residents. In order to maintain the peacefulness and to minimize noise pollution in the park, the town enacted a law prohibiting vehicles in the park, and posted "No Vehicles in the Park“ signs at every park entrance.

Decide if the "No Vehicles in the Park" law has been violated in each of the following cases. Each pair should be prepared to give reasons for its decision. A teenager went into the park on a skateboard. A father went into the park with his daughter in a stroller. A group of kids went into the park on their roller blades. A senior went into the park in his motorized wheelchair.

Which situations violated the law? What problems did you have when

using the law to decide if it was broken?

In pairs, determine if the law has been violated in each of the following situations:

› The park manager drove a truck full of trees to be planted in the park.

› A TV mobile unit drove into the park to videotape the spring concert being performed in the park.

› Andy/Andrea drove his/her car through the park because he/she was late for work. He/she used the park as a shortcut.

› An ambulance took a shortcut through the park to attend to someone suspected of having a heart attack.

In pairs, outline the factors you considered before arriving at your decision

Which situations violated the law? What problems did you have when

using the law to decide if it was broken?

What criteria should be used when creating a law so that it can be the most effective?

Good Laws (and rules) › can be enforced; › can be followed (that is, is within

societal values); › is fair; › indicates who is expected to obey it; › states the penalty for disobeying; › is in keeping with other laws (that is,

doesn't contradict other laws); › has no vague or ambiguous words; › defines words that might be

misunderstood.

Write an improved “No Vehicles…” law and revise the signs to be posted at park entrances

Use the eight (8) criteria to critically assess the EDSS Dress Code

Based on your assessment, write an improved dress code for EDSS › (or rewrite the existing code)

Parliament is responsible for making and changing laws› House of Commons (308 elected members;

represent a riding; 4-year terms)› Senate (105 appointed members;

represent a region; till age 75)

Some members of the Executive Branch are also in Parliament as members of the Legislative Branch› Prime Minister – elected MP and leader of

the Government› Cabinet Members – elected MPs and heads

of Departments

Copy this chart and fill in the boxes as wel learn about ‘How a Bill is Passed’. Your flowchart should look exactly like the one on this slide—it must contain all necessary

information (including a description for each of the stages).

Bills are:› Proposed legislation› Three types› Most are Government Bills

introduced by a Cabinet Minister

› Some are introduced by other MPs and are called Private Members’ Bills

› Senate Bills are introduced in the Senate by Senators

To become law, bills To become law, bills must:must: Pass three (3) readings in Pass three (3) readings in

each chamber (House of each chamber (House of Commons and Senate)Commons and Senate)

Have ‘Royal Assent’Have ‘Royal Assent’

Private Member’s Bills

First Reading› Introduction (statement of

purpose) and vote Second Reading

› Debate, discussion and vote Committee Stage

› Close examination of the bill by MPs of all parties

› Public input sometimes requested

› Report Stage including any changes (amendments)

Third Reading› More debate and final vote

Senate› After approval in the House of

Commons› Goes through the same stages› May send a bill back to the

House of Commons› Usually passes government bills

Royal Assent (approval)Royal Assent (approval) By the Governor General on By the Governor General on

behalf of the queenbehalf of the queen The final stage in the creation The final stage in the creation

of a lawof a law

http://www.acjnet.org/teacher/noveh.htm

http://edss.wrdsb.on.ca/