RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
What is a "multicultural heritage"?
Canadians are proud of their multicultural heritage. In Canada,
many different cultural and ethnic groups live and work together
in harmony and tolerance. Canada's diversity is encouraged
by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Canadian
Multiculturalism Act. These laws say that all Canadians are
free to promote and share their multicultural heritage.
Another major component of Canada's multicultural heritage
is the existence of Aboriginal people in Canada. Aboriginal
people lived in Canada thousands of years before the first
immigrants arrived, and they enjoy certain additional rights
to protect their cultures and languages and to become self-governing.
How do you enforce your rights?
If your rights have been violated by the federal or provincial
government, you can challenge that action in court.
If your rights have been violated by a private individual,
you can seek justice from a federal or provincial human rights
commission or ombudsperson, whose job it is to hear, investigate
and resolve human rights violations.
If you require legal assistance to enforce your rights, but
cannot afford to pay for a lawyer, you may be eligible for
free or low-cost legal aid in your local community.
Is it necessary to learn English or French?
English and French are the two official languages of Canada,
and they are an important part of Canadian identity. You must
learn one of theses two languages to become a Canadian citizen.
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