Slide Deck 2 Rights and Responsibilities in a

Slide Deck 2: Rights and Responsibilities in a Democracy

Discussion What are ‘rights’? What rights do we have in Canada?

Rights A right is something that we are morally or legally allowed to do or have. In a democracy, citizen rights and freedoms are protected, which means they are written down in a legal document. If your rights are violated, you can complain.

Discussion Why is it important to know your rights?

Rights and freedoms in Canada In Canada, our rights and freedoms are protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, a part of the Canadian Constitution. The Charter was signed into law by Queen Elizabeth II of Canada on April 17, 1982.

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

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 protest or hold rallies to express your disagreements. • You can choose your own friends.

Discussion Have you ever witnessed or participated in a protest? What did you think of it?

Democratic Rights If you are a Canadian citizen and 18 years old, you can… • vote in elections • compete for the job of a politician Other rules: • Governments must have elections every five years or less • Elected governments must meet at least once every year

Discussion Do you plan to vote when you turn 18 years old? Why or why not?

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 to

Legal rights Everyone is considered innocent until proven guilty under the law. If you are arrested, you must be told of your ability to see a lawyer. • If needed, you must be able to go to court in an amount of time that is considered fair • You must be considered innocent until proven guilty

Equality rights You cannot be treated unfairly for many reasons. This includes your race, background, religion, gender, age, or mental or physical ability.

Official languages of Canada You have the right to talk and write to the federal government in English or French in Canada.

Minority language education rights You can learn in English or French in certain situations (based on history, population numbers and your own background).

Women’s Suffrage in Canada • Initially, only men who owned property could vote in Canada • Women eventually gained the right to vote (suffrage) after years of campaigning and protests • In April 1917, British Columbia passed a law that allowed women to vote in provincial elections • By 1918, women across Canada had nearly the same voting rights as men in federal elections and they gained the right to run for federal office in 1919 • However, these voting rights did not apply to all women (certain ethnic and racial groups were still not allowed to vote)

Universal Suffrage • Men and women of several ethnic and racial minorities, such as Canadians of Chinese and Japanese origin and Indigenous peoples, were unable to vote for many years • Limitations for various ethnic and religious groups were not removed until 1960 • Universal suffrage is the expansion of the right to vote to all adult citizens

Responsibilities in a democracy • A responsibility is a duty, obligation or an expectation of how you should act. • It is the responsibility of all Canadians to respect and follow the rules outlined in the Constitution. • Citizens have the right to vote and the responsibility to cast a ballot and to make an informed decision.