Lesson 8

👩‍⚖️ The justice system

The rule of law, the courts, and the police.

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Rule of law and the courts

Canada's justice system rests on the rule of law: everyone, including governments and the police, must follow it. Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and everyone has the right to due process. The role of the courts is to settle disputes, and the Supreme Court of Canada is the highest court in the country.

Remember

The police

The police keep people safe and enforce the law. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) enforce federal laws across Canada and act as the provincial police in most provinces; Ontario and Quebec have their own provincial forces, and cities have municipal police. You can ask the police about their service or conduct, and complain if you feel the need to. In the far North, the Canadian Rangers, part of the Canadian Armed Forces reserve, help protect Canada's sovereignty.

Remember

Practice questions

What does RCMP stand for?

  1. Royal Canadian Mounted Police
  2. Regional Canadian Mountain Patrol
  3. Royal Central Military Police
  4. Royal City Municipal Police

Answer: Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The RCMP is Canada's national police force.

In Canada's justice system what does "presumption of innocence" mean?

  1. Everyone is guilty until proven innocent.
  2. Guilt is decided by public opinion.
  3. Innocence is decided by public opinion.
  4. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty.

Answer: Everyone is innocent until proven guilty. The Canadian justice system guarantees everyone due process under the law. Our judicial system is founded on the presumption of innocence in criminal matters, meaning everyone is innocent until proven guilty.

What is the highest court in Canada?

  1. The King's Bench
  2. The Senate Court of Canada
  3. The Supreme Court of Canada
  4. The Crown Court of Canada

Answer: The Supreme Court of Canada. The Supreme Court of Canada is the highest court in the country.

In Canada, are you allowed to question the police about their service or conduct?

  1. No, police service and conduct is not open to discussion with Canadians.
  2. Yes, you can question their service but not their conduct.
  3. Yes, you can question their conduct but not their service.
  4. Yes, if you feel the need to.

Answer: Yes, if you feel the need to. You can question the police about their service or conduct if you feel you need to, and almost all police forces have a process for bringing concerns.

What is the role of the courts in Canada?

  1. To enforce the law.
  2. To guide people in our society.
  3. To settle disputes.
  4. To express values and beliefs of Canadians.

Answer: To settle disputes. In Canada, the police enforce the laws while the role of the courts is to settle disputes.

What is the role of the Canadian Rangers?

  1. To police the major cities.
  2. To manage national parks.
  3. To play a key role in protecting Canada's sovereignty in the North.
  4. To conduct search and rescue in the Atlantic Ocean.

Answer: To play a key role in protecting Canada's sovereignty in the North. The Canadian Rangers, part of the Canadian Forces Reserves (militia), play a key role in protecting Canada's sovereignty in the North.

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