1. PowerPoint 2: Rights and Responsibilities in a Democracy

2. What is a right?
All citizens living in a democracy have guaranteed rights and freedoms.
A right is a legal privilege or entitlement that is protected.
Rights are usually fought for and claimed, and less often simply granted.
Examples: the right to express yourself, freedom of religion.

3. Discussion
Have you ever had to argue for a privilege at home, in school or in your community? Were you successful? If so, how?

4. 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 Constitution Act, 1982 that was signed by Queen Elizabeth II.

5. Seven Sections of the Charter
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms 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

6. Fundamental Freedoms
freedom of religion (to choose to 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)

7. Democratic Rights
In a representative democracy, we vote for representatives to make decisions and pass laws on our behalf. Elections are the process of selecting these representatives.
Every Canadian citizen, 18 years and older, has the right to vote in an election and to be a candidate in an election.
This also includes the requirement that governments hold elections at least every five years.

8. Women’s Suffrage
Initially, only men who owned property could vote in Canada.
Women in Canada eventually gained the right to vote (suffrage) following years of persistent protest.
In January 1916, Manitoba was the first province to pass legislation that allowed women to vote in provincial elections.
By 1918, women in Canada had nearly the same voting rights as men in federal elections and gained the right to run for federal office in 1919.

9. Universal Suffrage
Men and women of several ethnic and racial minorities, such as Canadians of Chinese and Japanese origin and Aboriginal peoples, were still disenfranchised for several decades after women achieved the right to vote.
The last of the limitations for various ethnic and religious groups were not removed until 1960.
Universal suffrage is the extension of the right to vote to all adult citizens.

10. What is a responsibility?
A responsibility is a duty or obligation.
It is something you should do to show that you respect your rights.
Example: your right to an education comes with the responsibility to show up to school prepared and on time.

11. Responsibilities in a Democracy
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 vote and to make an informed decision.

12. Federal Voter Turnout by Age Group
Year
18-24 yrs
25-34 yrs
35-44 yrs
45-54 yrs
55-64 yrs
65-74 yrs
75+ yrs
2004
37.0%
44.0%
54.5%
66.0%
72.9%
75.5%
63.9%
2006
43.8%
49.8%
61.6%
70.0%
75.4%
77.5%
2008
37.4%
48.0%
53.9%
59.7%
65.6%
68.4%
67.3%
2011
38.8%
45.1%
64.5%
71.5%
75.1%
60.3%
*Voter turnout data from the 2015 federal election is not yet available.

13. Provincial Voter Turnout
Year
Voter Turnout
1973
78.3%
1977
75.6%
1981
72.4%
1986
67.5%
1988
74.0%
1991
69.1%
1995
69.2%
1999
68.1%
2003
54.2%
2007
56.8%
2011
55.8%

14. Final Thoughts Is it ever a legitimate choice not to vote?
Should voting be mandatory?
Will you vote when you turn 18?