Rights and Responsibilities

Question 1

Canadian law has several sources, including ___.

Name four sources.

Answer 1

1. Laws passed by Parliament and the provincial legislatures.
2. English common law.
3. The civil code of France.
4. Unwritten constitution that we have inherited from Great Britain.

Question 2

Magna Carta in 1215 in England is also known as the ___.

Answer 2

Great Charter of Freedoms

Question 3

Canadian law secure for Canadians an 800- year old tradition of ordered liberty, which dates back to the signing of Magna Carta in 1215 in England, including ___.

Name four freedoms

Answer 3

1. Freedom of conscience and religion;
2. Freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of speech and of the press;
3. Freedom of peaceful assembly; and
4. Freedom of association.

Question 4

____, the right to challenge unlawful detention by the state, comes from English common law.

Answer 4

Habeas corpus

Question 5

When was the Constitution of Canada amended to entrench the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms?

Answer 5

In 1982.

Question 6

The Charter attempts to summarize fundamental freedoms while also setting out additional rights. What does it include?

Name four freedoms/rights.

Answer 6

1. Mobility Rights — Canadians can live and work anywhere they choose in Canada, enter and leave the country freely, and apply for a passport.
2. Aboriginal Peoples’ Rights — The rights guaranteed in the Charter will not adversely affect any treaty or other rights or freedoms of Aboriginal peoples.
3. Official Language Rights and Minority Language Educational Rights — French and English have equal status in Parliament and throughout the government.
4. Multiculturalism — A fundamental characteristic of the Canadian heritage and identity. Canadians celebrate the gift of one another’s presence and work hard to respect pluralism and live in harmony.

Question 7

As it relates to the equality of women and men, many practices could lead to severe punishment under Canadian criminal law. Name 3.

Answer 7

Canada’s openness and generosity do not extend to barbaric cultural practices that tolerate spousal abuse, “honour killings,” female genital mutilation, forced marriage or other gender-based violence.

Question 8

In Canada, rights come with responsibilities. Name six.

Answer 8

1. Obeying the law: Individuals and governments are regulated by laws and not by arbitrary actions. No person or group is above the law.
2. Taking responsibility for oneself and one’s family: Getting a job, taking care of one’s family and working hard in keeping with one’s abilities are important Canadian values.
3. Serving on a jury: Serving on a jury is a privilege that makes the justice system work as it depends on impartial juries made up of citizens.
4. Voting in elections: The right to vote comes with a responsibility to vote in federal, provincial or territorial and local elections.
5. Helping others in the community: Volunteering is an excellent way to gain useful skills and develop friends and contacts.
6. Protecting and enjoying our heritage and environment: Every citizen has a role to play in avoiding waste and pollution while protecting Canada’s natural, cultural and architectural heritage for future generations.

Question 9

Name 3 ways in which you can partake in Defending Canada.

Answer 9

1. Serving in the regular Canadian Forces (navy, army, air force).
2. Young people can join the cadets.
3. Serve in the Coast Guard or emergency services in your area.