Skill Descriptor: Analyze Canada’s constitutional history, legal traditions, and systems of governance.

Global Competencies: CTPS, CM

Achievement Indicators:

• Identify the distinct political groups who have contributed to the constitution.
• Describe the effect of the Constitution on Indigenous peoples and early Black inhabitants.
• Explain the division of powers under Canada’s constitution.
• Identify how laws are made in Canada.
• Discuss the importance of the British North America Act 1867 and the Constitution Act 1982.
• Discuss what legal pluralism is and how it works in Canada.
• Examine some ways that Indigenous and other bodies of Canadian law are similar and some ways that they may differ.

Skill Descriptor: Examine the importance of treaties in establishing nation-to-nation relationships.

Global Competencies: CTPS, CM

Achievement Indicators:

• Explain the importance of the Royal Proclamation 1763 to the development of Canada and the relationship between the Crown and Indigenous Peoples.
• Differentiate the Peace and Friendship Treaties from the Numbered Treaties.
• Articulate the importance of the Peace and Friendship Treaties, both historically and today.
• Identify the central Indigenous rights instruments at international law.
• Evaluate the domestic application of these rights in Canada.

Skill Descriptor: Research traditional Wabanaki law and governance.

Global Competencies: CTPS, CM, SGC

Achievement Indicators:

• Examine the significance of language and oral tradition in expressing Wabanaki worldviews.
• Explain how natural law influences governance within Wabanaki societies.
• Describe how the principle of seven generations influences Wabanaki legal decision-making.
• Discuss the significance of relationships in Wabanaki societies i.e. kinship relations, social relations, and relationship with land and nature (Mother Earth).
• Analyze Wabanaki modes of conflict resolution.
• Describe the Wabanaki traditional and contemporary governance structures.
• Discuss the importance of treaties with Wabanaki nations in the creation of Canada.

Skill Descriptor: Discuss the role of the courts and practice basic legal research.

Global Competencies: CTPS, CM

Achievement Indicators:

• Explain the role of the courts in interpreting the constitution.
• Identify the importance of precedent in judicial decision-making [the doctrine of stare decisis].
• Outline the structure of courts in Canada.
• Consult primary and secondary sources in my legal research
• Research judicial decisions.
• Describe what it is to “note up” a decision.
• Find legislation.
• Discuss the implications of the law in society.

Skill Descriptor: Describe key features of criminal law in Canada.

Global Competencies: CTPS, CM

Achievement Indicators:

• Describe the role and sources of Criminal law in Canada.
• Outline the trial process.
• Articulate the role of a jury in criminal trials.
• Research the Criminal Code.
• Describe the relationship between the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Criminal law.
• Outline the role of the ICC.
• Explain the types of crimes the ICC prosecutes.
• Discuss controversies around the role of the ICC.

Skill Descriptor: Evaluate how systemic biases affect the law and how these biases impact different groups.

Global Competencies: CTPS, CM

Achievement Indicators:

• Establish how power and control of dominant groups is exercised in the law.
• Discuss the relationship between Indigenous peoples and the Criminal law.
• Discuss the relationship between Black peoples and the Criminal law.
• Articulate the purpose and application of Gladue sentencing principles.
• Identify features of restorative justice.
• Outline problems with the disproportionate representation of Black and Indigenous people in federal jails.
• Identify how the Peace and Friendship Treaties dealt with Criminal law jurisdiction.
• Outline how negative outcomes associated with biases can be avoided.
• Explain what discrimination means from a legal perspective.

Skill Descriptor: Examine the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to understand how Charter rights are interpreted and applied.

Global Competencies: CTPS, CM

Achievement Indicators:

• Explain why the Charter was adopted.
• Identify the rights protected under the Charter.
• Describe acceptable limits on rights.
• Analyze how the lenses and biases of the Charter creators affected its application.
• Examine the application of rights in legal cases.

Skill Descriptor: Analyze how the law shapes the historic and contemporary relationship between Indigenous peoples and settler Canadians.

Global Competencies: CTPS, CM

Achievement Indicators:

• Describe the history of the inclusion of Aboriginal rights in the constitution.
• Distinguish between Aboriginal rights and Charter
• Describe the difference between white settlers and early Black inhabitants of Canada.
• Demonstrate the historical and contemporary importance of treaties and treaty rights.
• Discuss when the duty to consult arises and what it entails.
• Explain features of the Indian Act.

Skill Descriptor: Consider human rights in provincial, national, and international law.

Global Competencies: CTPS, CM

Achievement Indicators:

• Identify the main judicial bodies at international law.
• Explain how international law applies in Canada.
• Analyze the role of the Canadian Human Rights Commission.
• Identify the types of issues dealt with in federal and provincial human rights legislation.
• Research how Human Rights codes in many provinces were a result of first legislations against racial discrimination.
• Explain the role of the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission and the role of Ombudsman

Skill Descriptor: Investigate public law considerations around Internet use and online behaviour.

Global Competencies: CTPS, CM

Achievement Indicators:

• Identify how the criminal law regulates online behaviour.
• Discuss what types of online behaviour may have criminal consequences.
• Explain how cyberviolence is defined at law.
• Examine the legal consequences of cyberviolence.

Skill Descriptor: Review the basics of tort law in Canada.

Global Competencies: CTPS, CM

Achievement Indicators:

• Explain the formalities required to establish a contract.
• Explain the social role that contracts play.
• Describe how contracts upheld enslavement.
• Identify various remedies available for breach of contract.
• Explain some things that might invalidate a contract.

Skill Descriptor: Examine the law of property in Canada.

Global Competencies: CTPS, CM

Achievement Indicators:

• Discuss how the Western concept of ownership of land and property has shaped legal systems.
• Analyze how the collision of cultures with legal systems that protect ownership under law has created tensions and major issues.
• Examine different kinds of property rights in Canada.
• Explain the types of limitations may be placed on estates and what legislation governs wills.
• Identify property rights under the Indian Act.
• Research how the Specific Land Claims Tribunal provides remedies for Indigenous loss of land.

Skill Descriptor: Discuss private law considerations around Internet use and online behaviour.

Global Competencies: CTPS, CM

Achievement Indicators:

• Explain the tort of Internet harassment.
• Articulate the law of defamation and identify what constitutes defamation.
• Explain how copyright law relates to illegal downloading of media.
• Explain how personal information is protected and how it is vulnerable.
• Examine how a company might use one’s own personal information to their benefit.