Canadian Citizenship: Rights, Freedoms & Responsibilities

Sources of Canadian Law and Historical Foundations

• Canada’s rights and responsibilities stem from intertwined historical, legal, and cultural roots.
  • Primary legal sources:
  • Acts passed by Parliament (federal statutes).
  • Acts passed by provincial legislatures (provincial statutes).
  • English common law – judge-made precedents that evolved in Britain and were adopted in colonial Canada.
  • Civil Code of France – still influential in Québec’s private-law tradition.
  • An unwritten constitution and conventions inherited from Great Britain (e.g., responsible government, parliamentary supremacy).
  • These create an \approx{800}-year tradition of ordered liberty, tracing back to the Magna Carta ({1215}) a.k.a. the Great Charter of Freedoms.

Core Freedoms Rooted in Magna Carta

• Guaranteed “ordered liberty” includes four classic freedoms:
  • Freedom of conscience & religion
  • Freedom of thought, belief, opinion & expression (covers speech and press)
  • Freedom of peaceful assembly
  • Freedom of association
• Habeas Corpus (Latin: “you shall have the body”)
  • Right to challenge unlawful detention and force the state to justify imprisonment before a judge.
  • Emerged from English common law; cornerstone against arbitrary arrest.

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms ({1982})

• Constitution Act was patriated and amended in {1982}; the Charter became entrenched.
• Preamble: “Whereas Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law.”
  • Signals the moral–religious heritage of the country.
  • Emphasizes dignity and worth of every person; situates rights within a rule-of-law framework.
• Additional Charter rights highlighted in the study guide:
  • Mobility Rights
  • Canadians may live/work anywhere in Canada.
  • Entitled to enter/leave freely and obtain a Canadian passport.
  • Aboriginal Peoples’ Rights
  • Charter protection cannot diminish existing treaty or other rights of First Nations, Inuit, or Métis peoples.
  • Official Language & Minority-Language Educational Rights
  • French and English have equal status in Parliament and federal institutions.
  • Minority-language communities entitled to publicly funded schooling in their language (subject to numbers & location).
  • Multiculturalism
  • Declared a fundamental characteristic of Canadian identity.
  • Encourages respect for pluralism and harmonious coexistence.
• Symbolic moment: Queen Elizabeth II proclaimed the patriated Constitution in Ottawa (Parliament Hill) in {1982}.

Defending Canada – Service Options (No Conscription)

• No compulsory military service; participation is voluntary.
• Regular Forces (career-track):
  • Navy, Army, Air Force (info: www.forces.ca).
• Reserve Forces (part-time):
  • Naval Reserve, Militia (Army Reserve), Air Reserve — train evenings/weekends; integrate with civilian life.
• Cadet Programs (www.cadets.ca):
  • Youth (12-18) learn discipline, leadership, citizenship.
• Coast Guard & Emergency Services (police, fire, paramedic):
  • Local avenues to protect community; align with historic tradition of sacrifice for country.

Equality of Women and Men

• Legal and constitutional principle: men and women are equal under the law.
• Canada’s openness & generosity do not extend to “barbaric cultural practices.” These include:
  • Spousal abuse
  • “Honour” killings
  • Female genital mutilation (FGM)
  • Forced marriage
  • Any other gender-based violence
• Offenders are prosecuted severely under the Criminal Code.

Citizenship Responsibilities – Rights Paired with Duties

• Obeying the Law
  • Core principle: rule of law — laws restrain both citizens and government; no one is above the law.
• Taking Responsibility for Oneself & One’s Family
  • Seek work, support family, contribute to prosperity.
  • Employment fosters dignity and self-respect.
• Serving on a Jury
  • Legal obligation when summoned.
  • Citizen juries ensure impartial justice.
• Voting in Elections
  • Right and responsibility at federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal levels.
• Helping Others (Volunteering)
  • Millions volunteer: food banks, schools, settlement services, charities.
  • Builds skills, networks, and social cohesion; eases newcomer integration.
• Protecting & Enjoying Heritage and Environment
  • Avoid waste, prevent pollution, conserve natural, cultural, and architectural assets for future generations.

Ethical & Practical Takeaways

• Canadian citizenship marries freedoms with obligations; neither stands alone.
• Historical legacy (Magna Carta to Charter) shows a progressive deepening of rights while anchoring them in collective responsibility.
• Multiculturalism + equality policies create a social contract: respect diversity, reject violence, uphold law.
• Military, civic service, and volunteer avenues illustrate how individuals can tangibly uphold national values.
• Understanding the source of each right (common law, civil code, constitutional text) clarifies its scope, limits, and method of enforcement.