Lesson 1

⚖️ Rights and responsibilities

The freedoms Canada protects, and what citizens owe in return.

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Where Canadian rights come from

Canada's freedoms grew out of centuries of tradition. The Magna Carta, signed in England in 1215, first set out that even the ruler is bound by law. Today those freedoms are written into the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which became part of the Constitution in 1982. The Charter applies to everyone in Canada, and governments must respect it when they make laws.

Remember

What the Charter protects

The Charter protects four fundamental freedoms: freedom of conscience and religion; freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press; freedom of peaceful assembly; and freedom of association. It also protects mobility rights (living and working anywhere in Canada, and entering and leaving the country), the rights of Aboriginal peoples, official language rights, and multiculturalism as a part of Canadian identity.

Remember

Responsibilities of citizenship

Rights come with responsibilities. Citizens are expected to obey the law, take responsibility for themselves and their family (for example by working), serve on a jury when called, vote in elections, help others in the community (volunteering is a common way), and protect Canada's heritage and environment. New citizens take the Oath of Citizenship, promising allegiance to the King, to observe Canada's laws and to fulfil their duties as Canadians.

Remember

Practice questions

What document protects rights and freedoms in Canada?

  1. Magna Carta
  2. Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
  3. Bill of Rights
  4. Constitution Act 1867

Answer: Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Added to the Constitution in 1982 to explicitly protect rights.

What is one responsibility of citizenship?

  1. Voting in elections
  2. Owning property
  3. Attending university
  4. Speaking both languages

Answer: Voting in elections. Voting is a right and responsibility of being a Canadian citizen.

What are three responsibilities of citizenship?

  1. Being loyal to Canada, recycling newspapers, serving in the navy, army or air force.
  2. Obeying the law, taking responsibility for oneself and one's family, serving on a jury.
  3. Learning both official languages, voting in elections, belonging to a union.
  4. Buying Canadian products, owning your own business, using less water.

Answer: Obeying the law, taking responsibility for oneself and one's family, serving on a jury. In Canada, rights come with responsibilities. These include obeying the law, taking responsibility for oneself and one's family, serving on a jury, voting in elections, helping others in the community, and protecting and enjoying our heritage and environment.

Fatima is a new immigrant in Canada. What law allows her to take a job at par with a man?

  1. Equality of women and men.
  2. Equality of all races.
  3. Equal pay for equal work.
  4. Equal rights.

Answer: Equality of women and men. In Canada, men and women are equal under the law.

Give an example of how you can show responsibility by participating in your community.

  1. Mind your own business.
  2. Have a party.
  3. Keep your property tidy.
  4. Volunteer.

Answer: Volunteer. Volunteering is an excellent way to gain useful skills and develop friends and contacts while helping others in the community.

Name two fundamental freedoms protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

  1. Freedom of conscience and religion, and Freedom of association.
  2. Equality rights, and to care for Canada's heritage.
  3. Basic freedoms, and obeying laws.
  4. Aboriginal peoples' rights, and to volunteer.

Answer: Freedom of conscience and religion, and Freedom of association. Fundamental freedoms include freedom of conscience and religion; freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression; freedom of peaceful assembly; and freedom of association.

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