Human Rights

Question 1

Sovereignty-association:

Answer 1

The concept put forth by the Parti Quebecois government of Rene Levesque, whereby Quebec would become a sovereign jurisdiction in all areas of law making, but would maintain economic association with the rest of Canada

Question 2

Entrenchment:

Answer 2

Protecting a portion of a constitution by ensuring that it can be changed only through constitutional amendment

Question 3

Power of Disallowance:

Answer 3

A power granted to the federal government by s.90 of the Constitution Act, 1867 that gave it the right to disallow provincial legislation (declare it void) within one year of its passage; a type of veto power that has not been used since World War II and that is generally considered to be no longer valid

Question 4

Reasonable Limits:

Answer 4

Restrictions on rights and freedoms that are imposed if the merits of the limits are determined to advance society’s interests

Question 5

Notwithstanding Clause:

Answer 5

A clause in the Charter that may be invoked by parliament or provincial legislatures to override basic Charter provisions

Question 6

Strike Down:

Answer 6

To rule that a piece of legislation in inconsistent with the Charter and is no longer valid

Question 7

Judicial Activism:

Answer 7

The perception that judges, rather than Parliament, are making laws and imposing their personal values in their judgements

Question 8

Read Down:

Answer 8

To rule that, while a piece of legislation may generally be consistent with the Charter, it is inconsistent in the particular case at hand

Question 9

Discrimination:

Answer 9

Treating a person differently or adversely for no valid reason

Question 10

Stereotyping:

Answer 10

Judging one person of a group and applying that judgement to all group members

Question 11

Prejudice:

Answer 11

An opinion or judgement, especially an unfavourable one, based on irrelevant considerations or inadequate knowledge

Question 12

Human Rights:

Answer 12

The rights of an individual that are considered basic to life in any human society, including the right to religious freedom and equality of opportunity; when such rights require protection, intervention by the state is necessary

Question 13

Internment:

Answer 13

Confinement, such as in wartime, when a country forces people considered enemies to live in a special area or camp

Question 14

Balance of Probabilities:

Answer 14

The basis of greater likelihood; the degree of proof in civil law, in comparison with proof beyond a reasonable doubt in criminal law

Question 15

bona fire: (Latin)

Answer 15

“In good faith”; legitimate, genuine

Question 16

Undue Hardship:

Answer 16

The result of a change that would affect the economic viability of an employer or produce a substantial health or safety risk that outweighs the benefit of accommodating someone

Question 17

Ombudsman:

Answer 17

An official appointment to receive and investigate citizens’ grievances against the government

Question 18

Francophone:

Answer 18

In a bilingual country, a person whose principal language is French

Question 19

Anglophone:

Answer 19

In a bilingual country, a person whose principal language is English

Question 20

Separatism:

Answer 20

The desire to establish a politically independent Quebec and to withdraw from Confederation

Question 21

Sovereignty-association:

Answer 21

The concept put forth by the Parti Quebecois government of Rene Levesque, whereby Quebec would become a sovereign jurisdiction in all areas of law making, but would maintain economic association with the rest of Canada

Question 22

Federalism:

Answer 22

Canada’s form of political organization in which the federal government governs the country as a whole, while the provinces and territories have specific, limited powers

Question 23

Aboriginal Rights:

Answer 23

Rights that some Aboriginal peoples of Canada hold as a result of their ancestors’ longstanding use of the land. Aboriginal rights vary from group to group depending on the customs, practices, and traditions that have formed part of these distinct cultures

Question 24

Collective Rights:

Answer 24

Rights acquired as a result of membership in a group; all members of the group share the same rights

Question 25

Treaty:

Answer 25

A formal agreement between two auto

Question 26

Amending Formula:

Answer 26

A method for making changes to a constitution; in Canada’s case, a method that would no longer involve the British parliament

Question 27

Culture Genocide:

Answer 27

Deliberate and systematic destruction of the culture, traditions, language, and customs of a specific cultural group

Question 28

Land Claims:

Answer 28

Formal demands made by Aboriginal peoples for ownership and control of lands on which they live or have traditionally lived

Question 29

Specific Land Claims:

Answer 29

Claims that deal with specific grievances that Aboriginal peoples may have regarding the fulfillment of treaties and administration of lands and assets under the Indian Act

Question 30

Comprehensive Land Claims:

Answer 30

Claims based on the recognition that there are continuing Aboriginal rights to lands and natural resources; these claims occur where Aboriginal title has not been previously dealt with by treaty or other means

Question 31

Affirmative Action:

Answer 31

A policy designed to increase the representation of groups that have suffered discrimination