Citizenship Rights & Responsibilities
Canadian rights & responsibilities based on Canadian laws, traditions, and shared values.
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (adopted in 1982) legally defines and protects the basic rights and freedoms of everyone in Canada.
Partial list of fundamental rights:
- legal rights (ex: fair trial)
- equality rights (ex: protection from discrimination)
- mobility rights (ex: live and work anywhere in Canada)
- Aboriginal peoples' rights
Partial list of fundamental freedoms
- thought
- speech
- religion
- peaceful assembly
Individuals and governments both must protect and respect the rights and freedoms of all Canadians. From time to time, the courts interpret the Charter to ensure it is being applied fairly in all situations.
Citizenship Rights
- stand as candidates in federal, provincial and territorial elections
- be educated in either official language
- apply for a Canadian passport
- vote in federal and provincial or territorial elections
- enter and leave Canada freely
Citizenship Responsibilities
- vote in elections
- help others in the community
- care for and protect our heritage and environment
- obey Canada's laws
- express opinions freely but respect rights & freedoms of others
- eliminate discrimination and injustice
Getting involved in Canada
Being a citizen is more than just voting and obeying laws.
- join a community group
- volunteer to work on an election campaign
- help neighbours
- work with others to resolve community issues
- become a candidate in an election
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