Rights & Responsibilities

Eight hundred years of ordered liberty

Canada's rights and freedoms rest on an 800-year tradition of ordered liberty that dates back to the signing of Magna Carta — the Great Charter of Freedoms — in England in 1215. From that tradition come four fundamental freedoms still at the heart of Canadian society:

• Freedom of conscience and religion.
• Freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression — including freedom of speech and of the press.
• Freedom of peaceful assembly.
• Freedom of association.

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

In 1982 the Constitution of Canada was amended to entrench the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It begins with the words: "Whereas Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law." This phrase underlines the importance of religious traditions to Canadian society and the dignity and worth of the human person.

The Charter summarises the fundamental freedoms inherited from the British tradition and adds further rights specific to Canada.

Additional rights under the Charter

• Mobility Rights — Canadians can live and work anywhere they choose in Canada, enter and leave the country freely, and apply for a passport.
• Aboriginal Peoples' Rights — the rights guaranteed in the Charter do not adversely affect any treaty or other rights or freedoms of Aboriginal peoples.
• Official Language Rights and Minority Language Educational Rights — French and English have equal status in Parliament and throughout the government.
• Multiculturalism — a fundamental characteristic of the Canadian heritage and identity. Canadians celebrate the gift of one another's presence and work to respect pluralism and live in harmony.

Equality of women and men

In Canada, men and women are equal under the law. A new immigrant — whether man or woman — can choose any career and lead any life path because Canadian law guarantees this equality.

Responsibilities of citizenship

In Canada, rights come with responsibilities. Every citizen plays a part in keeping Canada a free, law-abiding and prosperous society.

• Obeying the law — one of Canada's founding principles is the rule of law: individuals and governments are regulated by laws, not by arbitrary actions, and no person or group is above the law.
• Taking responsibility for oneself and one's family — getting a job, caring for one's family and working hard contribute to personal dignity, self-respect and Canada's prosperity.
• Serving on a jury — when called, you are legally required to serve. Juries make the justice system work because they depend on impartial citizens.
• Voting in elections — the right to vote comes with a responsibility to vote in federal, provincial or territorial and municipal elections.
• Helping others in the community — millions of volunteers freely donate their time, helping people in need, assisting at a school, working at a food bank, or supporting newcomers as they integrate.
• Protecting and enjoying our heritage and environment — every citizen has a role to play in avoiding waste and pollution, and in protecting Canada's natural, cultural and architectural heritage for future generations.

Defending Canada

There is no compulsory military service in Canada. However, serving in the regular Canadian Forces (Navy, Army and Air Force) is a noble way to contribute to Canada and an excellent career choice.

• The regular Canadian Forces — Navy, Army and Air Force.
• Local part-time reserves — Naval Reserve, Militia (Army Reserve) and Air Reserve — gain valuable experience, skills and contacts.
• The Cadets — young people learn discipline, responsibility and skills (www.cadets.ca).
• The Canadian Coast Guard and emergency services — police forces, fire departments, search and rescue.

Sources of Canadian law

Canadian law has several sources, reflecting the country's dual founding heritage and its membership in the British constitutional tradition:

• Laws passed by the federal Parliament and by provincial legislatures.
• English common law — judge-made law inherited from England.
• The civil code of France — used for private law in Quebec.
• The unwritten constitution inherited from Great Britain — including parliamentary conventions and the rule of law.

The Oath of Citizenship

In Canada we profess our loyalty to a person who represents all Canadians — not to a document such as a constitution, a banner such as a flag, or a geopolitical entity such as a country. In our constitutional monarchy, these elements are encompassed by the Sovereign. Canada is personified by the Sovereign just as the Sovereign is personified by Canada.

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