1. Rights and Responsibilities

2. Intro: Rights & Freedoms
In modern society, respect for citizens and their rights is considered one of the most important foundations for a democratic nation.
What are rights and Freedoms?
Those things that we are morally or legally entitled to have or do
Our rights can be put into 3 categories:
Civil rights
Political rights
Social rights

3. Rights throughout history…
Category
CIVIL
Rights
POLITICAL
SOCIAL
Time Period
18th Century
19th Century
20th Century
Examples
equality before the law
liberty of person
freedom of speech, thought, and religion
right to own property
right to participate in elections
right to run & hold office
right to vote
right to a certain standard of economic and social well being
right to participate fully in society

4. Says who? Universal Declaration of Human Rights (global)
Convention on the Rights of the Child (global)
Charter of Rights and Freedoms (national)
Ontario Human Rights Code (provincial)

5. Who enforces these? Universal Declaration of Human Rights (global)
Convention on the Rights of the Child (global)
United Nations, Amnesty International
NATO (North-Atlantic Treaty Organization)
Charter of Rights and Freedoms (national)
Ontario Human Rights Code (provincial)
Our judicial system (police, courts, etc.)

6. But…
The Charter of Rights and Freedoms provides you with many rights and freedoms BUT those freedoms are limited
Example?
You have freedom of speech but if someone uses that right to hurt others – such as spreading hate literature, someone else’s rights may be effected.
Lesson? You cannot take away other people’s rights.
Judges decide what limits are reasonable.

7. How can we ensure our laws are applied fairly?
Majority rule is the principle that the opinion of the greater number (51+) should prevail.
Minority rights is the principle that the rights of the minority must be safeguarded in a democracy
Rule of Law: no person is above the law, laws apply to everyone equally

8. Charter of Rights and Freedoms!
What about freedoms?
List three of the most important freedoms for you…

9. Freedom from INJUSTICES…
All people have the right to protection from obvious forms of injustice
Examples:
violence, exploitation, abuse, and torture.

10. Freedom to…
Everyone has the right to participate in those human activities that allow one to develop fully, such as education
the practice one’s religion, culture, and language
the freedom to express opinions, to be part of associations, and to have access to information

11. What other rights & freedoms do we have?
Write down examples/meaning of:
Fundamental Freedoms
Democratic Rights
Mobility Rights
Legal Rights
Equality Rights

12. A “child” until 18?!
In Canada, you are considered a child until you reach the age of 18. This means that you do not have the same rights & responsibilities as adults. For example, you can’t vote.
At the same time, your rights as a young person are covered by certain laws, such as the Education Act, which sets out rules while you’re at school. What are your rights and responsibilities at school??
QUIZ! True or false...??
The police can arrest you for skipping school.
You do not have to go to school if your parents are teaching you at home.
No one is allowed to go through your personal things at home or your locker.
Your teacher is allowed to hit you.
You can protest without fear of being punished if you feel your school is treating you unfairly.
ANSWSERS
True – truancy is a crime.
True – if your are receiving “satisfactory” instruction at home, then you do not have to go to school
True – technically, you are protected against “unreasonable” search & seizure.
True – teachers are given the same right as parents. Many school boards don’t allow it though.
True – freedom of peaceful assembly

13. Ways of Taking Action 1) Protest and Cooperation 2) Non-Cooperation
Write letters, hold public meetings, sign petitions, advertise your cause with flyers, posters …
2) Non-Cooperation
Refuse to buy from a certain country or place, refuse to obey a law, refuse to pay some/all your taxes
3) Intervention
Participate in demonstrations, put yourself between people or groups trying to harm others, occupy land that is being misused.