Transcript Rights and Responsibilities

Rights and
Responsibilities
We have both!!
Think about this…
What would your life be like if you didn’t have a
choice in what events and activities you took
part in with others?
 What rights and freedoms do you expect to have
as a citizen in Canada?
 When is it okay for laws to restrict people’s
choices?
 What’s the connection between having the right
to be represented in government and your
identity?

Canada’s Charter of Rights &
Freedoms – what is it?
1) It gives individual rights and freedoms to
Canadian citizens
2) It gives collective rights and freedoms to
groups in society.
Dates from 1982
 Part of Canada’s constitution – which is the
highest law of Canada, all other laws must be
consistent with it.
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Prior to the Charter of Rights and
Freedoms, the provincial and federal
governments had a variety of laws about
individual rights.
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So why do we have the Charter…
Now that the Charter exists:
It creates constitutional protection for
individual rights and freedoms, applying to
all governments across Canada.
 Canadians can challenge in court the laws
that restrict their rights.
 Canada’s government is justified in
restricting rights, if it is necessary to
maintain Canada as a free and democratic
country.
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The Charter
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Application :
- states that it applies to all levels of
government

Limitations:
- Not all rights are absolute subject to
reasonable limitations
YOUR INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS…
(as stated by the Charter)
Fundamental freedoms

Freedom to express your opinions
(“I think it’s stupid that I can’t listen to my IPOD in class.”)
Freedom to choose your own religion
 Freedom to organize peaceful meetings and
demonstrations (protests on Parliament Hill)
 Freedom to associate with any person or group.

Democratic Rights

The right to vote for members of the
House of Commons and of provincial
legislatures

The right to vote for a new government at
least every five years.
Mobility Rights

The right to move anywhere within
Canada and to earn a living there.
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The right to enter, stay in, or leave
Canada.
Legal Rights

The right to be free of imprisonment,
search and seizure without reasons
backed by law or evidence.

The right to a fair and quick public trial by
an impartial court that assumes that you
are innocent until proven guilty.
Equality Rights

The right to be free of discrimination
because of race, national or ethic origin,
religion, gender, age or mental or physical
disability.
Official Language rights

French and English are the two official
languages in Canada
- implications of this: All the laws made
are in French and English in all the
institutions of government. (Federal courts,
House of Commons, etc)
Minority Language Education Rights
People whose first language learned and still
understood (French or English) is the minority in
the province they live in
 People who have received their primary school
instruction in French or English and that
language is the minority of the province
 AND people who have received their primary or
secondary education in French or English
HAVE the RIGHT to have all their children receive
primary and secondary education in the same
language.
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Enforcement

Anyone whose rights or freedoms, as
guaranteed by the Charter have been
infringed or denied may seek the court of
law to obtain any remedy the court
considers appropriate or just.
But rights come with
responsibilities…
Citizenship Responsibilities
Obeying the law — One of Canada’s founding
principles is the rule of law. Individuals and
governments are regulated by laws and not by
arbitrary actions. No person or group is above
the law.
 Taking responsibility for oneself and one’s
family — Getting a job, taking care of one’s
family and working hard in keeping with one’s
abilities are important Canadian values. Work
contributes to personal dignity and self-respect,
and to Canada’s prosperity.
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Responsibilities
Serving on a jury — When called to do
so, you are legally required to serve.
Serving on a jury is a privilege that makes
the justice system work as it depends on
impartial juries made up of citizens.
 Voting in elections — The right to vote
comes with a responsibility to vote in
federal, provincial or territorial and local
elections.
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Responsibilities
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Helping others in the community — Millions of
volunteers freely donate their time to help others
without pay—helping people in need, assisting at your
child’s school, volunteering at a food bank or other
charity, or encouraging newcomers to integrate.
Volunteering is an excellent way to gain useful skills and
develop friends and contacts.
Protecting and enjoying our heritage and
environment — Every citizen has a role to play in
avoiding waste and pollution while protecting Canada’s
natural, cultural and architectural heritage for future
generations.
Did you know?
The Charter of Rights and Freedoms gives
every person in Canada the same rights,
whether they are a citizen or not!!!
2 EXCEPTIONS:
You have to be a Canadian Citizen to:
1) Have the right to vote!
2) Have the right to leave Canada freely