1. Slide Deck 7: Rights and Responsibilities in a Democracy

2. What is the Constitution of Canada?

3. The Constitution of Canada
Provides the fundamental rules and principles that govern our country.
It is the supreme law in the country, which means it overrides any laws that are inconsistent with it.
It includes our system of government, powers of the branches, agreements between federal and provincial governments, as well as conventions and traditions, and our civil and political rights (The Charter of Rights and Freedoms).

4. What is an example of a right you have?
What is a RIGHT?
What is an example of a right you have?

5. Rights
A right is a freedom that is protected or something you are entitled to have or receive
Rights are usually fought for and claimed, rather than simply granted
Examples: the right to express yourself, freedom of religion

6. Rights and Freedoms in Canada
The Canadian Bill of Rights (1960) was the first written document of human rights 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 Canadian Constitution

7. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
The Charter has seven categories that define our rights as Canadians:
Fundamental freedoms
Mobility rights
Legal rights
Equality rights
Official languages of Canada
Minority language education rights
Democratic rights

8. Fundamental Freedoms
You have the freedom to pray & worship in your own way, or not to pray or worship at all
You have the freedom to shape your own opinions
You have the freedom to express your opinions (within limits)
The media is free to report on anything in Canada
You can hold rallies to express your disagreements
You can choose your own friends

9. Mobility Rights
You can live and work in any province or territory in Canada
You can leave and come back to Canada when you want

10. Legal Rights
If you are arrested, you must be told of your option to see a lawyer
If needed, you must be taken to court within a reasonable amount of time
You must be considered innocent until proven guilty

11. Equality Rights
You cannot be treated unfairly for many reasons. This includes your race, national or ethnic origin, religion, gender, age, or mental or physical ability

12. Official Languages of Canada
You can talk or write to the federal government in English or French. This is also the case for some provincial governments, such as Ontario

13. Minority Language Education Rights
The right of French or English minorities in every province and territory to be educated in their own language (go to French or English schools)

14. Democratic Rights If you are a citizen and 18 years old, you can…
vote in elections
become a candidate in an election (run for public office)
The requirement that our governments must have elections every five years or less
The requirement that elected representatives meet at least once each year

15. It took decades of people and groups campaigning
The right to vote in Canada has not always been universal. It has been withheld from many groups throughout history.
It took decades of people and groups campaigning
for equality to be achieved.

16. Universal suffrage is the extension of the right to vote
to all adult citizens, including the removal of property
ownership requirements and restrictions against women,
First Nations and Inuit and ethnic and religious minorities.
Universal suffrage was not achieved in Canada until 1960.

17. Which aspects of the Charter are most relevant to you?