LAW We will be studying the Canadian Legal System this week. Refer to Chapter 11 in your Counterpoints textbook, and parts of Chapter 12

The Canadian Constitution and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms Counterpoints: pg. 275-76 pg. 298-299 Discuss with a partner… What is a constitution? What are rights? Freedoms?

CANADA’S CONSTITUTION Written Unwritten Constitution Act, 1867 Describes the authority, parts, functions of Parliament and the prov. Legislatures. 2.The Charter of Rights and Freedoms States the basic rights that all Canadians are entitled to. 3.The Amending Formula Rules for changing the Constitution (Fed. Gov’t +7 prov.+50% of pop.) Traditions from Britain Monarch as head of state. Power of P.M. Political Parties Election rules

John Diefenbaker Conservative Prime Minister 1957-63 Diefenbaker felt that Canadians’ rights were not protected well enough so he passed the Canadian Bill of Rights in 1960.

Pierre Trudeau Liberal Prime Minister 1968-79,1980- 84 Trudeau felt that Canadians’ rights were not protected well enough with the Canadian Bill of Rights. When he patriated (brought it home to Canada) the constitution in 1982, he added the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which entrenched (difficult to change) rights in the constitution.

Discuss with a partner… Why were rights better protected by “the Charter” than by the Bill of Rights? Consider what you know about passing a bill and the amending formula.

Let’s look at the Charter! Which section of the charter do you feel is most important?

Homework: Finish the worksheet Read pages: 275-76 and 298-299.