Chapter 3 Charter of Rights and Freedoms 2020 PDF

How effectively does Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms protect your individual rights? Chapter 3 Chapter 3: “I have my rights! This is a free country!” Have you ever heard anyone say something like that? When people talk about rights and freedoms, they...

How effectively does Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms protect your individual rights? Chapter 3 Chapter 3: “I have my rights! This is a free country!” Have you ever heard anyone say something like that? When people talk about 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 chapter explores what the Charter says about individual rights, and how the Charter affects government decisions and the quality of our lives. This chapter explores rights that every Canadian citizen and permanent resident has. Think Critically: ▪ Look at the images on PAGE 89 in your textbook and discuss the following: ▪ Picture 1: In what way might these laws affect your quality of life? When is it okay for laws to restrict people’s choices? ▪ Picture 2:What rights and freedoms do you expect to have, as a citizen of Canada? To what extent do individual rights build a society that includes you and others? ▪ Picture 3: What responsibilities come with these rights? What’s the connection between the right to representation in government and your identity? Vocabulary Charter Suffrage Legal Rights Discrimination Constitution War Measures Act Equality Rights Association Rights Internment Workplace Gender Freedoms Democratic Rights Governance Seized Indian Act Mobility Rights Imprisonment Pearl Harbour Rights vs. Freedoms Rights: Refers to the things that we deserve as human beings (e.g. the right to clean water, food, shelter, reasonable access to healthcare) Legal Rights: Are more specific, and refer to rights secured by law. These cannot be denied from one situation to the next. In Canada, all citizens have a legal duty to respect the legal rights of others. If citizens feel their rights are being violated, they can turn to the law to ensure their rights are respected. Rights vs. Freedoms ► Freedoms: A freedom implies that no one will interfere with what you want to do. ► The government has the responsibility to ensure that legal rights do not unjustifiably limit your freedoms. ► NOT A LEGAL RIGHT Remember: Canada’s Constitution ► Constitution: A special set of laws that establish a framework of governance. ► Within our CONSTITUTION, we have the CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS ► Charter of Rights and Freedoms: Document entrenched in the Constitutional Act, 1982 that lists and describes the fundamental rights and freedoms that is guaranteed to Canadians. Charter ► The Charter is divided into two types of RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS: ► Individual ► Collective (group) ► Chapter Three focuses on INDIVIDUAL rights ► It includes: ► Fundamental freedoms ► Democratic Rights ► Mobility Rights ► Legal Rights ► Equality Rights Fundamental Freedoms Freedom to… ► Express your opinions ► To choose your own religion ► To organize peaceful meetings and demonstrations ► To associate with any person or group Democratic Rights The Right to… ► Vote for members of the House of Commons and of provincial legislatures. ► Vote for a new government at least every five years. Mobility Rights The Right to… ► Move anywhere within Canada and to earn a living there. ► Enter, stay in, or leave Canada. Legal Rights The Right to… ► Be free of imprisonment, search and seizure without reasons backed by law and evidence. ► A fair and quick public trial by an impartial court that assumes that you are innocent until proven guilty. Equality Rights The Right to… ► Be free of discrimination because of race, national or ethnic origin, religion, gender, age, or mental or physical disability. How does the Charter affect law making in Canada? ► As a class we are going to read 4 case studies about how a violation of individual rights can lead to a change in Canada’s laws. 1. Breaking the Communication Barrier (p. 105) 2. Always Open 24-7 (p. 106) 3. Restrictions on Flying (p. 107) 4. Banning Junk Food (p. 109) Canada’s No-Fly List https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/bill-c59-national-security-p assed-1.5181489 Officially called the Passenger Protect Program (PPP) If believed to be engaged (or will attempt to engage) in an act that would threaten transportation security, or are travelling by air to commit certain terrorism offences (such as participating in or contributing to terrorist activities) or funding training/recruiting for a terrorist group, you will be placed on Secure Air Travel Act List (SATA List)  Post Case Study Reflection Questions 1. In each case who did the law benefit? 2. In each case who did the law negatively impact? 3. How could each case affect your personal quality of life? 4. Should the law have been changed? 5. To what extent does the law impact different groups in society? 6. What Charter issue did each case violate? 7. What implications does passing the law have for the future? 8. To what extent did the passing of the law further violate someone’s Charter rights? Historical Case Studies In Groups of approximately 2–5, divide up the case studies presented on the Google Classroom. Share with each other the information from each of the case studies. Discuss your findings. 1. First Nations and Indian Act 2. Canadian Women and the Right to Vote 3. Internment of Ukrainian Canadians 4. Internment of Italian Canadians 5. Internment of Japanese Canadians How does the Charter affect the Workplace? ► labour union: an organization of workers that acts to protect workers’ rights and interests ► Gender Equality and Pay Equity ▪ Read page 113 ► Equality and Ageism ▪ Read page 115 What part of the Charter does this refer to? What part of the Charter does this refer to? What part of the Charter does this refer to? What part of the Charter does this refer to?