Literacy: Canada's 2025 budget sends mixed messages at davidsuzuki.org

These words are used to talk about how factors that effect the speed and certainty of climate change. They often appear in a discussions about industry and policies.

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Read Aloud Sentences:

"New rules can weaken protections if they are not carefully written.", "The government may propose changes before making a final decision.", "Industrial activity often requires large amounts of energy.", "To loosen a rule means to make it less strict.", "A restriction limits what people or companies can do.", "A subsidy is public money used to support a business or activity.", "A policy explains how a government plans to act on an issue.", "Climate describes long-term patterns of weather.", "A pipeline moves oil or gas over long distances.", "A neutral explanation presents information without taking sides.", "Governments may consult communities before starting a project.", "Ownership describes who legally controls land or resources.", "A partnership is a shared project between two or more groups.", "Energy is needed to heat homes, move vehicles, and power machines.", "A transition is a gradual change from one system to another.", "Federalism divides power between national and regional governments.", "Electricity powers lights, appliances, and computers.", "Methane is a gas that can trap heat in the atmosphere.", "A megaproject is a very large and costly construction project.", "The oilpatch refers to regions where oil and gas are produced.", "Feasibility asks whether a plan is realistic and practical.", "Cost is a key factor in many decisions.", "An emission is something released into the air.", "A pollutant is a substance that causes harm to the environment.", "A reduction means making something smaller or less.", "A delay means something happens later than planned.", "To export means to sell goods to another country.", "Green energy aims to reduce harm to the environment.", "Solar power uses sunlight to generate electricity.", "Wind power uses moving air to produce energy.", "Renewable energy comes from sources that do not run out quickly.", "To lobby means to try to influence government decisions.", "Carbon capture is a method used to collect carbon dioxide.", "Storage means keeping something for future use.", "Public money comes from taxes paid by citizens.", "Greenwashing describes making something appear greener than it is.", "A benefit is a positive result or advantage.", "An oil tanker is a ship that carries large amounts of oil.", "An oil spill can damage water, wildlife, and coastlines.", "Hydroelectricity uses moving water to generate power.", "The electrical grid connects power plants to homes and businesses."

Pause and Reflect:

There are no right or wrong answers here — just a safe place to think about the topic.

Some discussion points focus on how you felt as you read the article.

Noticing Language

• Which words from the glossary feel technical or neutral?
• Which words feel emotional or urgent?
• Can you notice when an article shifts between explanation and persuasion?

Noticing Effort

• While reading, did you feel you were being informed, or did you feel you had to “fill in the blanks”?
• Were there moments where you felt tired, confused, or pressured to agree?
• What words or sentences made reading easier? Which made it harder?

Thinking About Limbo

• The phrase “in limbo” suggests waiting without clarity. Where do you see this idea in policy discussions?
• Where might people feel “in limbo” in their own lives when systems change slowly?

Setting Boundaries as a Reader

• Is it okay to disengage from an article that feels exhausting or unclear?
• What might respectful disengagement look like?
• Why is choosing clearer explanations part of critical thinking?

Coach’s Notes

Purpose of “Vocabulary First”

This lesson teaches key words before reading so learners can focus on meaning while they read, instead of stopping repeatedly to decode or guess unfamiliar terms. Previewing vocabulary can reduce stress, build confidence, and support better comprehension. Learners do not need to master every word in one sitting; the goal is familiarity.

Optional: Split the Lesson into Smaller Parts

This vocabulary set is intentionally rich and can support more than one session. Coaches may choose to divide the lesson based on learner goals or time.

Tips for Leading Reflection and Discussion

The reflection questions are designed to build noticing skills, not to test knowledge or push opinions. Keep the tone curious and low-pressure.

• Allow quiet thinking time before discussion.
• Accept short answers as valid participation.
• Reframe “I don’t know” as “I haven’t noticed yet.”
• If discussion becomes opinion-heavy, return to language: “Let’s focus on how the word is used, not whether we agree with the opinion expressed.”

Optional Follow-Up After Reading the Article

After learners read, revisit the vocabulary to strengthen comprehension and help learners connect words to real usage.

Find and Match (quick scan)

• Find three words from the list in the article.
• Point to the sentence where each word appears.
• Say what the word seems to mean in that sentence.

Note: Coaches may shorten or simplify any part of this lesson. The materials are designed to be flexible.

With these words in mind, learners are better prepared to read the article with confidence and clarity.