Reproduced with the permission of the Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, 2007. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms came into effect April 17, 1982. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms describes the rights and freedoms that belong to all Canadians. Canadians are free to think what they want, say what they want, and make for themselves the lives that they want.    

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is part of Canada’s constitution; it is the supreme law of Canada. The government of Canada is guided by the Charter when making laws. The court system is guided by the Charter when enforcing laws. The Charter provides the courts with a framework to arrive at an answer for a question about rights and freedoms.    

Queen Elizabeth and then-prime minister Pierre Trudeau signed the Charter on April 17, 1982. Trudeau saw the Charter as a source of Canadian unity. Canada’s values

In the photograph, new Canadians participate in a citizenship ceremony In the photograph, new Canadians participate in a citizenship ceremony. Canada is a multicultural country, and our laws protect and preserve the diversity. The rights and freedoms belong to every Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or newcomer (except for voting rights and the right to enter and leave Canada freely).  

Everyone has fundamental freedoms Everyone has fundamental freedoms. The Charter grants Canadians the freedoms to believe what they choose, to express their values, and to form associations.  

Canadians have the freedom of conscience and religion Canadians have the freedom of conscience and religion. Everyone has the freedom and right to choose, to practice, and to express their religious beliefs.    

Canadians are guaranteed the freedom of thought in the Charter.  

The Charter provides freedom of beliefs.  

The freedom of opinion is another freedom protected in the Charter.  

Everyone has freedom of expression Everyone has freedom of expression. This means that people can speak out and express themselves in art, film, dance, and written works.    

The freedom of the press and other media of communication is protected in the Charter.  

Canadians have a right to peaceful assembly Canadians have a right to peaceful assembly. They can meet for example with cultural groups, education organizations, sports clubs, unions, or political parties.    

Freedom of association means that Canadians are free to join together or associate with friends, community members, anyone.    

Rights are things that all human beings deserve Rights are things that all human beings deserve. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects and affirms individual and collective rights.  

Every Canadian has the right to participate in Canadian democracy.  

Every Canadian has the right to live and seek employment anywhere in Canada.

Every Canadian citizen has a democratic right to vote in an election for members of the House of Commons, a member of the Provincial Legislature, and a member of their local government. Canadian citizens also have the right to vote for a new government at least every five years.  

Canadians have mobility rights and may travel and work in any province Canadians have mobility rights and may travel and work in any province. A Canadian citizen has the right to enter, remain in, and leave Canada  

Canada’s legal system protects the rights of the accused during arrest, trial and imprisonment; according to Canada’s legal rights, all people accused of a crime are assumed innocent until proven guilty. All Canadians are free from imprisonment and search and seizure without reasons backed by law and evidence.  

Laws that do not apply to all Canadians are considered discriminatory Laws that do not apply to all Canadians are considered discriminatory. Equality rights means that every individual is equal based on race, national or ethnic origin, religion, gender, age, or mental or physical disability.  

Minority language education rights are upheld in the Charter Minority language education rights are upheld in the Charter. Canadians speaking either official language are permitted, if numbers allow, to be instructed in their first language–French or English.    

Canada is a bilingual country, and all business by the federal level of government is conducted in both official languages. Canadians have the right to use either language when communicating with or receiving services from federal government offices.  

Among other guarantees, special legislation and land settlements have been granted to Canada’s Aboriginal peoples. Certain tax freedoms have also been granted to Aboriginal peoples. The Charter does not take away any Aboriginal, treaty, or other rights and freedoms recognized in the Royal Proclamation Act 1763 or any pre-existing land claims.    

The Charter is interpreted in a manner consistent with the preservation and enhancement of the multicultural heritage of Canadians. Canada is a garden . . . Into which has been transplanted the hardiest and brightest flowers of many lands, each retaining in its new environment the best of the qualities for which it was loved and prized in its native land. –John Diefenbaker, former prime minister  

Rights and freedoms described in the Charter are those that must exist in a free and democratic society. There are other laws made by federal, provincial, and territorial governments that protect rights as well.