1. Lesson 2: Democracy, Rights and Responsibilities

2. What is a Democracy?
A system of government in which power is retained by all the people.
In a democracy, citizens have access to power and they also have guaranteed rights and freedoms.

3. Representative Democracy
A form of government in which individuals are elected to represent the people and pass laws.
Most democracies are representative democracies.

4. Canada’s Democracy
Canada is a parliamentary democracy, which is a type of representative democracy.
Representation is based on specific geographic areas called constituencies or electoral districts.
Representatives are selected through elections.

5. What is a ‘right’?
A right is an abstract idea of something that is due to a person or governmental body by law or tradition or nature.
Rights are not as much granted or endowed as they are fought for and claimed.

6. Rights and Freedoms in Canada
In Canada, citizens’ rights and freedoms are protected by The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The Canadian Charter is a part of the Constitution Act, signed by Queen Elizabeth in Pierre Trudeau was then Prime Minister.

7. Seven Sections of the Charter
The Canadian Charter contains seven sections that define our rights as Canadians:
- fundamental rights
- democratic rights
- mobility rights
- legal rights
- equality rights
- official languages of Canada
- minority language education rights.

8. Fundamental Freedoms
Fundamental rights include freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief, expression and the freedom of the press, among others.

9. Democratic Rights
Democratic rights include the right for every Canadian citizen, 18 years and older, to vote in an election and to be a candidate in an election, as well as the requirement that governments hold elections at least every five years and that these governments meet at least every year.

10. 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 reap the benefit of their protected rights.
The right to vote comes with the responsibility to vote and to make an informed decision.