5 Ways Intersectionality Affects Diversity and Inclusion at Work, Term Paper Example

I have always been interested in politics and how the government functions as a young man. I now have a plethora of information and understanding about the political system in Canada because of this training. The power relationship between political parties and their elected officials and how it may have a big impact on Canadian governance is the most important thing I’ve learned in this course. I had a fundamental knowledge of the parliamentary system prior to taking this course, but I was not entirely aware of the extent to which political parties had power over their constituents. Through seminar discussions and lectures, I learned that party discipline significantly influences how public policy is formulated and that elected officials are frequently under pressure to vote along party lines, even when doing so would be against their personal convictions or the interests of their voters.

The value of federalism in the Canadian political system was among the most important things I learned in this course. This distinguishing characteristic of Canadian governance enables a more decentralized system of decision-making. Because different levels of government are responsible for various policy aspects, the power split between the federal government and the provinces significantly impacts how policies are made. I gained knowledge of the complexities of Canadian federalism through various readings and lectures (Angelia Week 6). For example, I developed a more transparent comprehension of the concept of asymmetrical federalism, in which certain provinces have more authority and autonomy than others. Additionally, I learned how the courts interpret the separation of powers and resolve provincial-federal conflicts. My understanding of Canadian governance has been enhanced by studying federalism. I now recognize that developing policies in Canada is not a one-size-fits-all process but rather a complex network of choices made at many levels of government. This understanding has also brought to light how crucial cooperation and compromise between the many governmental spheres are in determining public policy. Studying the federal system of government in Canada has been a significant learning experience for me overall, and I appreciate the chance to have learned more about this vital facet of Canadian politics.

One of the most important lessons I learned from this training was the importance of citizen involvement in public policy-making. Citizen involvement is crucial to democratic governance since it increases accountability and legitimacy (Macfarlane, 2022). The need for policymakers to involve citizens in the decision-making process was emphasized in Dr. Elizabeth’s presentation on public participation in policy-making. The populace’s engagement fosters a sense of trust between the populace and the government by ensuring that public policy represents their demands and interests. I understood that civic participation is a continual process that needs continuous work to be successful.

I obtained an in-depth comprehension of the Canadian government and its numerous institutions through this course, as the part citizens play in the democratic process. The most important lesson I took was how crucial it is to comprehend Canadian politics and participate in it to make wise decisions and support a healthy democracy (Stobie, 2016). As a result, my knowledge of Canada’s political system, including its political parties, electoral process, and several government tiers, has improved. I also learned about Canadians’ many viewpoints and values and how those viewpoints and values affect political choices.

Moreover, the readings on citizen participation in Canadian democracy and the Canadian government’s public consultation and engagement website highlighted how people could participate in policy-making, including attending public meetings, offering suggestions or comments, taking surveys, and joining advocacy groups. It also stressed the necessity for policymakers to offer inclusive and open channels for involvement to guarantee that excluded groups are not excluded from the decision-making process.

Another important thing I learned in this course was the influence of social movements on Canadian policy-making. As noted by Professor, social movements have been crucial in influencing official policy in Canada, mainly concerning matters including the rights of Indigenous peoples and climate change (Pierre et al., 2019). The lecture on social movements and policy-making focused on how social movements affect policy-making, including lobbying, direct action, and media campaigns. I gained a thorough awareness of social movements’ difficulties and chances in influencing policy-making on climate change activism in Canada.

The importance of the media in Canadian politics is something else important that I learned in this course. The Professor’s presentation on media and politics focused on the power of the media to alter public opinion and policy. The challenges traditional media outlets face in the digital age and the advent of new media sources were highlighted in Christopher Waddell’s 2018 reading on media and politics in Canada. I learned that in Canadian politics, the media might serve as both a watchdog and an advocate and that comprehending this position is crucial when examining policy-making.

Furthermore, this course taught me a valuable lesson about the challenges of multiculturalism in Canadian society. Professor’s lecture on multiculturalism emphasized the development of multiculturalism policy in Canada and its difficulties, including the conflict between cultural variety and national unity. I better understood the significance of ethnic and racial identity in Canadian politics and the difficulties of addressing minority concerns after reading Yasmeen Abu-Laban and Christina Gabriel’s book on multiculturalism and Canadian politics (2019). I understood that multiculturalism policy has drawbacks and needs to be continuously revised and improved to handle new problems.

I gained a deeper understanding of the Canadian political system and government through this course. As part of this course, I learned how federalism impacts the balance of power between the federal government and the provinces. The process has provided me with a better understanding of how the federal system can lead to tension between levels of government as well as facilitate better regional representation and response. As part of the course, I also learned about several governmental branches, including the executive, legislative, and judicial branches (Government of New Brunswick, 2010). My understanding of how Canadian policies are developed, implemented, and assessed has been enhanced by this lesson. By completing this education, I have gained a greater understanding of Canadian politics and administration and am better prepared to participate in current events and debates.

My course’s most important lesson was the significance of citizen participation in Canadian politics and the government. I learned more about the many democratic participation methods in Canada, including voting, protesting, and lobbying, as well as how these actions impact public policy and decision-making, thanks to this course. It also emphasized how crucial media literacy and civic education are to encouraging informed engagement and keeping elected authorities responsible. The future development of a just and equal society will largely depend on continued education and involvement in the democratic process. Communication with the government, standing up for our values, and holding those in positions of power responsible for their actions are all responsibilities of Canadian citizens (Government of Canada, 2018). Consider your role in our democratic society and try to bring about positive change, Canadians.

References

Bagalini, A. (2020, July 22). 5 ways intersectionality affects diversity and inclusion at work. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/07/diversity-inclusion-equality-intersectionality/

Brosseau, L., & Dewing, M. (2009). Canadian Multiculturalism. Parl.ca. https://lop.parl.ca/sites/PublicWebsite/default/en_CA/ResearchPublications/200920E

Chapter 3: Federalism and the Separation of Powers | American Government, Brief 12e: W. W. Norton StudySpace. (2019). Wwnorton.com. https://wwnorton.com/college/polisci/american-government12/brief/ch/03/outline.aspx

Government of Canada. (2018). Principles respecting the Government of Canada’s relationship with Indigenous peoples. Justice.gc.ca. https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/csj-sjc/principles-principes.html

Government of New Brunswick, C. (2010, November 16). Branches of Government – Executive Council. Www2.Gnb.ca. https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/executive_council/branches_of_government.html

Macfarlane, E. (2022). The Place of Constitutional Conventions in the Constitutional Architecture and the Courts. Canadian Journal of Political Science, pp. 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0008423922000051

Owen, D. (2020). The new media’s role in politics. OpenMind. https://www.bbvaopenmind.com/en/articles/the-new-media-s-role-in-politics/

Pierre, S., NIKOLAKIS, W., CORNELL, S., & NELSON, H. (2019). Reclaiming Indigenous Governance: Reflections and Insights from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States. In JSTOR. The University of Arizona Press. https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctvqc6jwv.7

Thomson, M., Kentikelenis, A., & Stubbs, T. (2017). Structural adjustment programs adversely affect vulnerable populations: a systematic-narrative review of their effect on child and maternal health. Public Health Reviews, 38(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40985-017-0059-2

Tristian Stobie. (2016, August 9). Reflections on John Dewey’s “Democracy and Education.” Cambridge Assessment International Education. https://blog.cambridgeinternational.org/reflections-on-the-100th-year-anniversary-of-john-deweys-democracy-and-education/

Wagner, Angelia, week 6 “lecture title.” Political Science 224: Federalism In Canada

Wagner, Angelia, week 4 “lecture title.” Political Science 224: The Charter & The Courts