1. Elementary PowerPoint 2: Rights and Responsibilities in a Democracy

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

3. 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, and less often simply granted
All citizens living in a democracy have guaranteed rights
Examples: the right to express yourself, freedom of religion

4. Have you ever had to argue for a privilege at home or in school
Have you ever had to argue for a privilege at home or in school? Were you successful? If so, how?
Have you seen a film or TV show about a group of people that were fighting to gain certain rights? Which right(s) were they arguing for? How did they make their case? Were they successful? How long did it take?

5. Rights and Freedoms in Canada
The Canadian Bill of Rights (1960) was the first written expression of human rights law 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

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

7. Fundamental Freedoms
Freedom of religion (to pray & worship in your own way)
Freedom of thought (to form your own opinion)
Freedom of expression (to express your opinion freely)
Freedom of the press (to report on all matters)
Freedom of peaceful assembly (to gather and protest respectfully)
Freedom of association (to meet and associate with others)

8. Our Democratic Rights
The right to vote in government elections (must be 18 years of age or older and a Canadian citizen)
The right to become a candidate for election or run for political office (same requirements as voting)
That our elected members meet at least once a year
That elections be held every five years (or less) except in times of war or rebellion

9. Women’s Suffrage in Canada
Initially, only men who owned property could vote in Canada
Women eventually gained the right to vote (suffrage) after years of persistent protest
In April 1917, British Columbia passed a law that allowed women to vote in provincial elections
By 1918, women across Canada had nearly the same voting rights as men in federal elections and they gained the right to run for federal office in 1919
However, these voting rights did to apply to all women (certain ethnic and racial groups were still not allowed to vote)

10. Have you ever witnessed or participated in a protest
Have you ever witnessed or participated in a protest? What did you think of it?

11. Universal Suffrage
Men and women of several ethnic and racial minorities, such as Canadians of Chinese and Japanese origin and Indigenous peoples, were still unable to vote for many years
The last of the limitations for various ethnic and religious groups were not removed until 1960
Universal suffrage is the expansion of the right to vote to all adult citizens

12. What is a responsibility?
What are some examples of responsibilities you have?

13. Responsibilities in a Democracy
A responsibility is a duty or obligation
It is the responsibility of all Canadians to respect and abide by the rules set out by the Constitution in order to benefit from their protected rights
The right to vote comes with the responsibility to cast ballot and to make an informed decision

14. Voter participation
The number of people voting in elections has decreased over the years
Voter turnout is the percentage of people who voted
Young voters are less likely to vote than older voters
In the 2013 British Columbia provincial election, only 55 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot

15. Provincial Voter Turnout
Year
Voter Turnout
1983
70.5%
1986
65.8%
1991
64.0%
1996
55.4%
2001
58.2%
2005
50.1%
2009
69.2%
2013
55.3%

16. Final discussion
Why do you think fewer people are voting? Do you think it is disrespectful to those who fought for the right to vote?
What would you say to someone to convince them to vote?
Will you vote in elections when you turn 18 years old? Why or why not?
How important is it that individuals are responsible members of society?