Rights and Responsibilities
Study notes for the Rights and Responsibilities chapter from Discover Canada.
1. Canadian Rights
Canadian citizens have rights and responsibilities that come from Canada's history, Canadian law, shared traditions, identity and values.
Parliament and provincial legislatures • English common law • Civil code of France • The unwritten constitution inherited from Great Britain
2. Fundamental Freedoms
Canada's tradition of ordered liberty dates back to the Magna Carta (1215), also known as the Great Charter of Freedoms.
Freedom of conscience & religion
Freedom of thought, belief, opinion & expression
Includes freedom of speech and the press.
Freedom of peaceful assembly
Freedom of association
The right to challenge unlawful detention by the state. It comes from English common law.
3. Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
The Constitution of Canada was amended in 1982 to entrench the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
| Right | Key Point |
|---|---|
| Mobility Rights | Can live and work anywhere in Canada, enter and leave the country freely, and apply for a passport. |
| Aboriginal Peoples' Rights | Charter rights do not adversely affect treaty or other rights and freedoms of Aboriginal peoples. |
| Official Language Rights | French and English have equal status in Parliament and throughout government. |
| Minority Language Educational Rights | Rights relating to minority-language education. |
| Multiculturalism | A fundamental characteristic of Canadian heritage and identity; Canadians respect pluralism and live in harmony. |
1982 → Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
4. Equality of Women and Men
In Canada, men and women are equal under the law.
Canadian criminal laws severely punish crimes involving practices such as spousal abuse, “honour killings,” female genital mutilation, forced marriage and other gender-based violence.
5. Citizenship Responsibilities
Rights come with responsibilities.
1. Obeying the Law
The rule of law is one of Canada's founding principles. Individuals and governments are regulated by laws, and no person or group is above the law.
2. Taking Responsibility for Yourself and Your Family
Getting a job, taking care of your family and working hard in keeping with your abilities are important Canadian values. Work contributes to personal dignity, self-respect and Canada's prosperity.
3. Serving on a Jury
When called to do so, you are legally required to serve. The justice system depends on impartial juries made up of citizens.
4. Voting in Elections
The right to vote comes with a responsibility to vote in federal, provincial or territorial, and local elections.
5. Helping Others in the Community
Examples include helping people in need, assisting at a child's school, volunteering at a food bank or charity, and encouraging newcomers to integrate.
6. Protecting & Enjoying Our Heritage and Environment
Citizens have a role in avoiding waste and pollution while protecting Canada's natural, cultural and architectural heritage for future generations.
6. Defending Canada
No compulsory military service
There is no compulsory military service in Canada.
Regular Canadian Forces
Navy • Army • Air Force
Other ways to serve
Coast Guard • Police • Fire department • Emergency services • Reserves • Cadets
Serving in the Canadian Forces is described in the guide as a way to contribute to Canada and as a career choice.
Quick Memorization Sheet
Fundamental Freedoms — 4
C-T-A-A
Conscience & religion
Thought, belief, opinion & expression
Assembly
Association
Charter Rights — Key Groups
M-A-O-M
Mobility
Aboriginal Peoples' Rights
Official & minority language rights
Multiculturalism
Responsibilities — 6
L-F-J-V-C-H
Law • Family • Jury • Vote • Community • Heritage & environment
- Magna Carta → 1215
- Canadian Charter → 1982
- Habeas corpus → English common law
- Men and women → Equal under Canadian law
- Jury service → Legally required when called
- Military service → No compulsory military service in Canada
- Rights → Come with responsibilities