Where Canadian rights come from, what the Charter guarantees, and the responsibilities that come with citizenship.
Where our rights come from
- Magna Carta (1215, 'the Great Charter of Freedoms') — the historical root of Canadian rights.
- English common law and the French civil code shape Canadian law.
- Anglo-Saxon Christian and Hebrew religious traditions influenced our values.
- Habeas corpus — the right to challenge unlawful detention — comes from English common law.
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982)
- Part of the Constitution Act, 1982, signed by Queen Elizabeth II.
- Recognizes Aboriginal and treaty rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
- Four fundamental freedoms: (1) conscience and religion; (2) thought, belief, opinion and expression including press; (3) peaceful assembly; (4) association.
- Democratic rights: right to vote, and elections at least every five years (except in war or emergency).
- Mobility rights: live and work anywhere in Canada, enter and leave the country, apply for a passport.
- Legal rights, equality rights, official language rights, and minority-language education rights.
Responsibilities of citizenship
- Obey the law — no person or group is above the law.
- Take responsibility for yourself and your family.
- Serve on a jury when called.
- Vote in elections.
- Help others in the community.
- Protect and enjoy our heritage and environment.
- Defending Canada is not compulsory, but service in the Canadian Forces (regular or reserve) or police is a noble way to contribute.
Equality of women and men
- Men and women are equal under the law.
- Canada's openness does not extend to barbaric cultural practices — spousal abuse, 'honour killings,' female genital mutilation, forced marriage or other gender-based violence are crimes.