Adhering closely to standard parliamentary procedure, the students went through two readings of the proposed bill for abolishing the Monarchy, then broke into standing committees to discuss proposed amendments. In the afternoon, they returned to vote on those amendments before adopting the bill.

 

Social Studies teacher Mr. Paul Klassen said there was “great energy” to the proceedings.

 

“I can’t think of a better way to impart the lessons of what Parliament and direct democracy are all about,” Mr. Klassen said.

 

Students were assigned to parties in the House of Commons based on their Houses, with Shelby H. (Strathcona) leading an NDP minority government, propped up in this session by the Green Party, Bloc Québécois and upstart Cascadian Independence Party (a creation of some Grade 10 students who are also members of Model UN and wanted to try something new). Opposing the abolition of the Monarchy were the Liberal and Conservative parties. The parties’ respective stances in SHOC were based on the federal parties’ actual policies.

 

Although Shelby achieved her goal as Prime Minister of passing the bill, she still ended up facing a non-confidence vote that led to her replacement as PM with Bloc Québécois MP Eddy K., who defeated Cam N. and Zhili W. of the NDP and Maya F. of the Cascadia Party in an election that broke drastically from the way Parliament actually functions.

 

Shelby saw it coming the whole time, but was mostly just pleased to get her bill passed.

 

“As Prime Minister, I went into the experience knowing I would most likely get removed from Parliament, so I was focused on passing my bill, and what happened after that would just be good memories,” she said. “It was super stressful to speak so publicly with so much opposition, especially considering my main opposition is an extremely talented student, Desi S. It was a challenge that I wasn’t sure I would rise to meet, but I did and I was very proud of myself.”

 

Conservative leader Desi S., who instigated the non-confidence vote, knew that the replacing of the Prime Minister with a random MP off the floor wasn’t the way it would be done in Parliament, but she was unapologetic.

 

“It was the end of the debate, and we were tired, so why not have some fun with it?” she asked. “She accomplished her goal, and I accomplished my goal.”

 

Shelby took her ouster in stride.

 

“It had no basis in reality seeing as the terms for a vote of no confidence include the bill NOT passing which the bill DID,” she pointed out. “So technically, there should have never been a motion for a vote of no confidence. However, I found it very funny, and it really capped off the day with a laugh.”

 

Some students’ preparation for SHOC included authentic political engagement in the form of writing letters to real Members of Parliament, many of whom responded. That engagement and SHOC itself helped the students address what Mr. Klassen calls “the big question” of the unit: How effective is the current system of government at providing a voice for Canadians?

 

Students felt that SHOC was an effective way of learning how Canadian Parliament functions.

 

“I believe SHOC did a very good job of representing actual parliamentary procedures,” Shelby said. “I found it very informative and I am hoping to help out with next year’s SHOC. I think SHOC was a good way to educate students about Canada’s parliamentary system, especially for international students.”

 

“I don’t think anybody walked away without learning something or having fun,” Desi commented.

 

Special thanks to Grade 11 student Harrison M., who did an excellent job as Speaker, overseeing 120 Grade 10 students packed into the Staff Room, and to the Social Studies 10 teachers for preparing students for SHOC.