Nova Scotia
4. Political Participation
4.2 Interest Groups and Advocacy
Chapter 4.2
Interest Groups and Advocacy: How Civil Society Shapes Canadian Democracy
Discover how organized groups influence government policy through lobbying, coalition building, litigation, and grassroots mobilization in Canada's democratic system.
What You'll Learn
Interest groups influence policy without running candidates for office.
Insider and outsider strategies reflect different levels of government access.
Canada's Lobbying Act ensures transparency and accountability in advocacy.
Pluralism theory holds diverse group competition strengthens democratic outcomes.
What You'll Practice
1
Students identify types of Canadian interest groups and their purposes.
2
Questions test knowledge of lobbying tactics and regulatory frameworks.
3
Learners analyze real advocacy examples including Indigenous and labour groups.
Why This Matters
Understanding interest groups and advocacy empowers students to critically analyze who influences government policy and how citizens can participate meaningfully in democracy beyond the ballot box.
This Unit Includes
Practice exercises
Learning resources
Skills
Lobbying
Advocacy
Pluralism
Coalition Building
Civic Engagement
NS Curriculum Aligned
