1. Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental principles of democracy by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:
(a) What are the rights and responsibilities of citizens living in a representative democracy?
(a) What are the rights and responsibilities of citizens living in a representative democracy?
(b) How does Canada’s justice system help protect your democratic and constitutional rights?
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The justice system includes many things:
- it allows the federal and provincial governments to establish laws that help provide order and structure to our society
- it determines how the police and other peace officers can enforce these laws
- it sets out how the courts and judiciary can interpret and uphold the laws after determining facts
- it works with partners and the community to determine the best ways to rehabilitate and punish wrongdoers
- It upholds all the rights & freedoms guaranteed by our Charter
2. Recognize how individuals and governments interact and bring about change within their communities:
(a) recognize and respect the democratic rights of all citizens in Canada
(b) value the role of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in protecting individual rights and freedoms
(a) recognize and respect the democratic rights of all citizens in Canada
- Right to a democratic form of government
- The ability to participate in political activities
- The right to vote in any election, if you are at least 18 years of age (and a Canadian citizen)
- The ability to run as a candidate in any election where you are a local resident
(b) value the role of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in protecting individual rights and freedoms
- The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in Canada (often simply called the Charter) is a document that guarantees the rights of Canadians. This document was signed into law in 1982 by Queen Elizabeth.
- The Charter guarantees certain democratic rights to all Canadian citizens, both as individuals and in groups. These rights and freedoms much be respected by all levels of government in Canada. The Charter was designed to unify Canadians around a set of principles that embody those rights. It guarantees these:
Fundamental freedoms:
Mobility rights
Equality rights:
Language Rights:
- Freedom of religion
- Freedom of thought
- Freedom of belief
- Freedom of expression
- Freedom of the press
- Freedom of association
Mobility rights
- The right to enter Canada
- The right to remain/live in Canada
- The right to leave Canada
Equality rights:
- Equal treatment under the law
- Equal protection and benefit of the law without discrimination
Language Rights:
- People have the right to use either French or English in their daily life (both are recognized as official languages of Canada)
(c) value the role of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in protecting collective rights and freedoms
Why do some peoples have collective rights and not others?
3. Analyze how the democratic ideals of equity and fairness have influenced legislation in Canada over time by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:
(a) How did the Treaty of La Grande Paix de Montréal address collective identity and collective rights?
(b) How do the Treaty of La Grande Paix de Montréal and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms compare in the way that each addresses individual and collective identity and collective rights?
(c) Why is the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms entrenched in the Canadian Constitution
- Rights guaranteed to specific groups in Canadian society for historical and constitutional reasons. These groups hold collective rights in Canada:
- Aboriginal peoples, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples.
- Francophones (anyone speaking French)
- Anglophones (anyone speaking English)
Why do some peoples have collective rights and not others?
- Collective rights recognize the founding peoples of Canada. Canada would not exist today without the contribution of these peoples.
- Collective rights come from the roots of Aboriginal peoples, Francophones and Anglophones in the land and history
of Canada.
3. Analyze how the democratic ideals of equity and fairness have influenced legislation in Canada over time by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:
(a) How did the Treaty of La Grande Paix de Montréal address collective identity and collective rights?
- This treaty established peace and respect among people in what is now Eastern Canada, in 1701.
(b) How do the Treaty of La Grande Paix de Montréal and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms compare in the way that each addresses individual and collective identity and collective rights?
- The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is rooted in many laws stretching back across time (this includes the Treaty of La Grande Paix)
- Achieving fairness and equity for all the people of Canada has taken a long time to develop.
- Some people/groups think there are things wrong with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (mostly things that are missing) so it is possible the Charter will change at some point... it is still a work in progress.
(c) Why is the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms entrenched in the Canadian Constitution
- The rights and freedoms we have here in Canada are precious. There are countries whose citizens do not have the same rights as us. In other parts of the world, children as young as 10 can be taken in military service, children (particularly girls) can be denied the chance to go to school, and others are persecuted because of their race, religion or ethnic background.
- By having our Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as part of our Canadian Constitution, it is possible to guarantee that the above things do not happen in Canada. It also ensures that all the rights and freedoms you have learned about cannot be taken away... ever.