After the Ballot is a full-length documentary portraying the gruelling everyday life of two Members of Quebec's National Assembly who, although at opposite ends of the political spectrum, share the fact that their sole power lies in their convictions. One is Daniel Turp, the PQ Member for Mercier. The other is Charlotte L'Écuyer, Liberal MNA for Pontiac. The film aptly illustrates that ordinary MNAs have very little authority since the real power is held by ministers who are subject to the ups and downs of a globalized economy. Meanwhile, their fellow citizens keep asking for the impossible…
Ages 14 to 16
Civics/Citizenship - Federal/Provincial Government
Civics/Citizenship - Ideologies
The teacher should expand upon certain aspects relating to Quebec’s democratic system: the role of the Premier and the MNAs, the various parties, the National Assembly. Next, he or she can suggest that students bring democracy to life by organizing a mock election. Students will have to choose a leader, put ideas down on paper to constitute their electoral platform and, finally, start the campaign.