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Handout 2.1						  Name: ___________________

The Challenge Ahead

News of the Irish Potato Famine has just reached Canadian shores. Canada is not yet officially a country, and remains under British rule. The next several years will test the endurance of many Irish immigrants soon to arrive, and push the resources of the governing powers in Canada to their very limit. 

What will you do? As special advisors to the Minister of a government department, it is your task to come up with a strategy. How will you protect Canadians? How will you take care of the desperate Irish immigrant arrivals?

Your first step will be to find out what really did happen during the Irish Potato Famine.

Next, you will analyze the government’s role in managing this event. 

Finally, in groups you will write a memo to the Minister giving him/her advice on how his/her government department should deal with the situation. Your Minister will have to face a “scrum” of reporters and answer some difficult questions.

Good luck! The future of many Canadians weighs on your shoulders!