The Canadian Charter of Rights & Freedoms
"I have my rights! This is a free country!" Have you ever heard anyone say something like that? When people talk about their rights and freedoms, they're really talking about governance: the rules that describe what government can do with its power. They're saying that government power can only go so far - up to the point where it limits the choices you or any individual can make. If government power goes beyond that point, there has to be a reason, based on the values we hold as a society.
In Canada, the rights and freedoms of individuals are stated in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This unit investigates what the Charter states about individual rights, and how the Charter affects government decisions and the quality of our lives.
In Canada, the rights and freedoms of individuals are stated in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This unit investigates what the Charter states about individual rights, and how the Charter affects government decisions and the quality of our lives.
Lesson #1: What is the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms?
What is a 'right'?
What is a 'freedom'?
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Using the document shown below, and printable by clicking HERE, use the this LINK to complete the investigatory questions about the history of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Lesson #2: Breaking Down the Charter
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is one part of the Canadian Constitution. The Constitution is a set of laws containing the basic rules about how our country operates. For example, it contains the powers of the Federal Government and those of the Provincials Governments in Canada. The Charter sets out those rights and freedoms that Canadians believe are necessary in a free and democratic society. Some of the rights and freedoms contained in the Charter are :
- Fundamental Freedoms
- Democratic Rights
- Mobility Rights
- Legal Rights
- Equality Rights
- Language Rights
- Minority Language Rights
Click HERE for a copy of the document listed below. Using the your hard copy of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, or the digital copy available above the political cartoon, complete the handout by briefly describing each section of the Charter. Ensure that you list at least 2-3 points for each section to generate a greater understanding.
Understanding the multiple Charter Sections is one thing, applying them is another. In this next activity, read over each of the legal case studies that are represent the fundamental freedoms listed in Section 2. On your own, or with a partner, attempt to identify the freedom that has been infringed upon and make the correct connections back to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
How did the following case studies affect the law-making process in Canada? Click HERE for a printable copy of the case studies. |
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Lesson #3: Canada's Discriminatory Past
As you have learned in the previous lessons, Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms was established in 1982, when it was entrenched into the Constitution Act under the guidance of Pierre Trudeau and Queen Elizabeth II. For just over 30 years, citizens of Canada have had the protection and fortune of knowing that their rights and freedoms were safe and guarded against infringements. However, this has not always been the case in Canadian history. Before the Charter was established and introduced, many identifiable groups in Canada were targeted by none other than the Canadian Government. This lesson investigates these infringements, and uncovers controversial governmental decision-making in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
First Nations & the Indian Act
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Women & the Right to Vote
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Ukrainian Canadians
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Italian Canadians
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Japanese Canadians
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Formative Assessment for PBL!
The Scenario!
You are members of a group of fifty high school students traveling to the South Pacific. On route, a tropical storm results in the plane crash landing close to an uninhabited island. The surviving students swim to safety. They are without adult supervision and are forced to face the reality that they may not be rescued in the near future. Before creating a criminal code, a group of seniors point out the need for the creation of a set of rights for all members of society!
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The Task!
In divided and random groups, you will receive markers and a large sheet of paper. You will generate a list of 10 rights and freedoms that you think are best suited to the situation outlined above. When finished, post your newly created Charter up on the classroom wall. When all groups have finished, each student will 'gallery walk' around the classroom, read each group's Charter, and then post a sticky note on the Charter that they would most likely want to live under if this situation happened to them.
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Project-based Learning
Creating a Charter for the Relocation of Society
Creating a Charter for the Relocation of Society
As part of your Grade 9 experience, you have been participating in a new initiative known as Project-based Learning. All Grade 9 students have currently learned about our galaxy and the planetary systems in Science. Also, you have started writing a narrative in Language Arts that tells the story why humankind had to leave Earth and relocate to the Moon or Mars! The outcome for this is a feature length trailer that will offer a cinematic preview of the journey of those people in your stories. It is now time to include the Social Studies aspect of this project. That newly relocated and formed society will be unable to function under anarchy, and hence, will need some form of Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Check out the handouts below to get started!
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Lesson #4: The Charter, Law Making and the Workplace
Since the introduction of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Canadian laws have come under scrutiny as they sometimes cross over and infringe on the rights and freedoms of individuals. Hence, the law-making process in Canada has become much more intricate as lawmakers must foresee any issues that may arise when formulating or enacting a new law. The Charter has also entered the workplace, an area that has been long accused of being discriminatory towards gender, age, race, and religion. In this lesson, we will look at how the Charter of Rights and Freedoms has impacted the law-making process and attempted to eradicate discrimination in the workplace.
Questions
- In what ways did the Lord's Day Act infringe on Canadians' right to freedom of religion?
- Do you agree with the Supreme Court decision? Why or why not?
- How do we decide if the needs of society should outweigh the rights of individuals? How does the Charter affect these decision?
- Do you believe that changing Anti-Terrorism laws are becoming more powerful than the Charter of Rights and Freedoms? Why?
- How will the 'Right to Die with Dignity' debate affect Canadian law? Do you believe that this is a good or bad idea?
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Please click on the "Blogger's Choice" link above and respond to the blog post! Remember, this is a discussion blog and your response will be assessed according to the opinion response criteria generated in class.
PBL Charter Self-Reflection
Lesson #5: The Collective Rights of First Nations Peoples
Have you ever thought about what makes Canada unique? What makes Canada different than other countries, such as our close neighbour to the south, the United States? Here's one thing that makes Canada unique: collective rights. Collective rights belong to groups of people and are entrenched in Canada's constitution. The purpose of collective rights is to affirm the collective identity of groups in society and to create a society where people of different identities belong.
Collective rights are part of the dynamic relationship between Canada's government and Canadian citizens. Throughout Canada's history, laws that affect collective rights, and the promises of the government to uphold them, have created opportunities and challenges for Canadians.
Collective rights are part of the dynamic relationship between Canada's government and Canadian citizens. Throughout Canada's history, laws that affect collective rights, and the promises of the government to uphold them, have created opportunities and challenges for Canadians.
The Numbered Treaties Map
Key Terms:
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Lesson #6: The Collective Rights of Official Language Groups
This lesson presents information about the collective rights of Francophones, set out in Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This lesson also investigates the location of language minority and majority groups in Canada, how collective language rights affect quality of life for both Francophones and Anglophones, and the background of Canada's official language communities.
Key Terms:
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- Minority means a small group within a larger group. Why are Francophones in Alberta, such as those living in Saint-Isidore, considered to be living in a "minority setting"?
- What challenges and opportunities does affirming Francophone and Anglophone identity create for Canada? Describe a challenge and opportunity for Francophones in Saint-Isidore, and a challenge and opportunity for Anglophones in Quebec.
Remember SECTION 23 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms!
Lesson #7: The Collective Rights of the Metis & Inuit Peoples
This lesson describes the history of Metis and Inuit rights in Canada, and provides an annotated timeline of events and legislation affecting the rights of both groups. This lesson really looks at the issue of collective rights from a first person perspective.