Charter of Rights and Freedoms: Overview The Charter protects several rights and freedoms The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is part of Canada’s Constitution. If a court decides that a law, or part of a law, or an action by a government actor or entity, violates the Charter, that law, or action, is not valid.

The Charter guarantees the following freedoms and rights: Fundamental freedoms – section 2 guarantees freedom of: – association – peaceful assembly – conscience and religion – thought, belief, opinion, and expression, including freedom of the press and other media

Democratic rights – sections 3, 4, and 5 cover the right to vote and the maximum time between elections, and run for election

Mobility rights – section 6 guarantees to Canadian citizens the right to live and work anywhere in Canada

Legal rights – sections 7 to 14 contain the rights to: – life, liberty, and security of the person – be free from unreasonable search or seizure – not be arbitrarily detained or imprisoned – be informed promptly of the reasons for any arrest or detention and be released if the reasons are not valid – have a lawyer, if you are arrested – a fair and public trial within a reasonable time, by an impartial tribunal, if you are charged with a crime – not give evidence against yourself – be presumed innocent – be free from cruel and unusual punishment – be granted reasonable bail if appropriate -- a court-appointed interpreter

Equality rights – section 15 ensures equal benefit and protection of the law without discrimination based on personal traits such as race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age or mental or physical disability.

Language rights – section 16 makes English and French the official languages of Canada. Section 23 gives minority language education rights in certain circumstances.

What would you do if any 3 of these were taken away? Language rights Equality rights Legal rights Mobility rights Democratic rights Fundamental freedoms

Watch Human Rights Video: Global Issues for students

Journal #2 Why is it important to know our basic human rights? Why is it important to know the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms? What would happen if our rights were not protected in Canada? How are we different than other countries in the world who do not have their human rights protected?