RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
What Are my rights as a Canadian?
All Canadians enjoy certain rights based on Canada's tradition
of democracy and respect for human dignity and freedom. These
rights are found in Canada's human rights codes and in the
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
All Canadians enjoy the following rights:
-
Equality rights: Equal treatment before and under
the law, and equal protection and benefit of the law without
discrimination
-
Democratic rights: such as the right to participate
in political activities, to vote and to be elected to
political office
-
Legal rights: such as the right to be presumed
innocent until proven guilty, the right to retain a lawyer
and to be informed of that right, and the right to an
interpreter in court proceedings.
-
Mobility rights: such as the right to enter and
leave Canada, and to move to and take up residence in
any province
-
Language rights: generally, the right to use either
the English or French language in communications with
Canada's federal government and some of Canada's provincial
governments
-
Minority language education rights: in general,
French and English minorities in every province and territory
have the right to be educated in their own language
All Canadians also enjoy fundamental freedoms of religion,
thought, expression, peaceful assembly, and association.
What are my responsibilities as a Canadian?
Canadians also share common responsibilities. Canadians should:
- Understand and obey Canadian laws
- Participate in Canada's democratic political system
- Vote in elections
- Allow other Canadians to enjoy their rights and freedoms
- Appreciate and help to preserve Canada's multicultural
heritage
All Canadians are encouraged to become informed about political
activities, and to help better their communities and the country.
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