Slide Deck 7: Rights and Responsibilities in a Democracy

What is the Constitution of Canada?

The Constitution of Canada Provides the fundamental rules and principles that govern our country. It is the supreme law in the country, which means it overrides any laws that are inconsistent with it. It includes our system of government, powers of the branches, agreements between federal and provincial governments, as well as conventions and traditions, and our civil and political rights (The Charter of Rights and Freedoms).

What is an example of a right you have? What is a RIGHT? What is an example of a right you have?

Rights A right is a freedom that is protected or something you are entitled to have or receive Rights are usually fought for and claimed, rather than simply granted Examples: the right to express yourself, freedom of religion

Rights and Freedoms in Canada The Canadian Bill of Rights (1960) was the first written document of human rights at the national level Our rights and freedoms are now protected at both the provincial and national level by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, a part of the Canadian Constitution

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms The Charter has seven categories that define our rights as Canadians: Fundamental freedoms Mobility rights Legal rights Equality rights Official languages of Canada Minority language education rights Democratic rights

Fundamental Freedoms You have the freedom to pray & worship in your own way, or not to pray or worship at all You have the freedom to shape your own opinions You have the freedom to express your opinions (within limits) The media is free to report on anything in Canada You can hold rallies to express your disagreements You can choose your own friends

Mobility Rights You can live and work in any province or territory in Canada You can leave and come back to Canada when you want

Legal Rights If you are arrested, you must be told of your option to see a lawyer If needed, you must be taken to court within a reasonable amount of time You must be considered innocent until proven guilty

Equality Rights You cannot be treated unfairly for many reasons. This includes your race, national or ethnic origin, religion, gender, age, or mental or physical ability

Official Languages of Canada You can talk or write to the federal government in English or French. This is also the case for some provincial governments, such as Ontario

Minority Language Education Rights The right of French or English minorities in every province and territory to be educated in their own language (go to French or English schools)

Democratic Rights If you are a citizen and 18 years old, you can… vote in elections become a candidate in an election (run for public office) The requirement that our governments must have elections every five years or less The requirement that elected representatives meet at least once each year

It took decades of people and groups campaigning The right to vote in Canada has not always been universal. It has been withheld from many groups throughout history. It took decades of people and groups campaigning for equality to be achieved.

Universal suffrage is the extension of the right to vote to all adult citizens, including the removal of property ownership requirements and restrictions against women, First Nations and Inuit and ethnic and religious minorities. Universal suffrage was not achieved in Canada until 1960.

Which aspects of the Charter are most relevant to you?