1. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Balancing Rights and Responsibilities

2. History of the Charter The Charter replaced the older Bill of Rights
The Charter of Rights and Freedoms was part of the Constitution Act of 1982

3. What it is
The Charter is more than a law and can’t be changed without changing the Constitution
It has 34 clauses that outline the rights all Canadians have
These rights are protected even against the power of the government

4. Your fundamental freedoms
Freedom of expression
Freedom of religion
Freedom of association
Freedom of peaceful association

5. Your democratic rights
Citizens have the right to vote in elections and to be candidates in elections

6. Your legal rights
The right to life, liberty and security of the person
The right not to be imprisoned or detained without good cause
The right to be informed of the reason for arrest
The right to a lawyer
The right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty
The right not to be subjected to cruel or unusual punishment

7. Equality rights
Everyone is equal before the law regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability

8. Official languages
Canadians have the right to use French or English when dealing with the government and courts

9. Challenges to the Charter
Democracy must be flexible so what, exactly, the Charter means in practice has been challenged in court
An example is the concept of freedom of expression: where are the limits?