Introduction
 Do you know what your rights and freedoms as a
youth living in Canada are? By now, you understand
the law and your rights under the YCJA.
 But more specifically, what are your rights under the
Charter of Rights and Freedoms? A right belongs to
everyone; for example, education. More specifically, a
right is a thing that we deserve, such as the right to
clean water, food, and shelter.
 What is your definition of a right?
Introduction
 Freedoms are also guaranteed in the Charter.
 These two words are often used interchangeably;
however, they do have slightly different meanings. A
freedom means that no one will interfere with what
you want to do; this freedom might include having
your own opinion.
 What is your definition of freedom? How is freedom
different than a right?
Vocabulary
 Right: refers to the things that we deserve as human
beings (e.g., the right to clean water, food, shelter,
reasonable access to health care).
 Legal rights are more specific and refer to rights
secured by law, which cannot be denied from one
situation to the next. In Canada, all citizens have a
legal duty to respect the legal rights of others. If
citizens feel their legal rights are being violated, they
can turn to the law to ensure their legal rights are
respected.
Vocabulary
 Freedom: implies that no one will interfere with what
you want to do.
 No one is obligated to ensure that your freedoms are
not being violated. The government has a
responsibility to ensure that legal rights do not
unjustifiably limit your freedoms.
 On April 17, 1982, a monumental event in Canada’s history
took place. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
 It became a part of the Canadian constitution (our laws).
The Charter was established by PM Trudeau to protect
every Canadian citizen. It guarantees Canadian rights and
freedoms and provides the basis for the law of the land. It is
Canada’s declaration of human rights. All levels of
government in Canada are guided by the Charter when
making laws, and the judicial system is guided by the
Charter when applying or interpreting laws.
Thinking Critically
 Turn to page 89 in your textbook.
 With a partner, discuss the questions under each
photograph.
 Based on your discussion, answer the main question
on the page:
 “Based on the photographs below, how do rights and
freedoms affect citizenship, identity, and quality of life?”
How does the
Charter
protect
INDIVIDUAL
rights and
freedoms?
 The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms changed
governance in Canada. Before the Charter, unfair laws
passed by the House of Commons could not be challenged.
Little could be done to change these laws.
 Let’s take a quick look at a copy of the Charter and the
Youth Guide to the Charter.
 Let’s focus on this question: What is the impact of the
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms on individual
rights?
Assignment:
 Look at the following words:
Association
Thought
Press
Religion
Mobility
Democratic
Expression
Legal
Equality
Education
 Create a chart like the following and sort the words.
Explain which right or freedom is the most important to
you. Give 2 reasons why.
Descriptors
Freedoms
Rights
What they mean
to me
 Read the comic “Crossing the Line” on pages 93
through 95 of your textbook. As you read the comic,
identify what issues related to the Charter and
individual rights and freedoms are explored in the
comic.
 Respond to the question that is addressed on the
bottom of page 95.
Let’s take a closer look…
 The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,
commonly known as the Charter, is a vitally important
document contained in the Constitution Act, 1982. It
guarantees to all Canadians the right to liberty,
equality under the law, and freedom of religion,
expression, association, and peaceful assembly, among
other things.
 It is the supreme law of the land. This means that
normally, it takes priority over any federal or provincial
law. Therefore, if any legislation, either provincial or
federal, conflicts with the rights guaranteed in the
Charter, it must be revised appropriately or it is likely
to be struck down by the courts.
 Complete Judging Your Rights
Assignment
 Turn to page 96. Read about the Charter and Jean
Chrétien’s quote on the bottom as he describes a free and
democratic society and the importance of the Charter of
Rights and Freedoms.
 Create a chart to make THREE connections between what
you have learned about the judicial system and the quote
by Jean Chrétien.
Quote, Phrase, Key Word
My Reflection
“In a free and democratic
society, it is important that
citizens know exactly what their
rights and freedoms are . . .”
Knowing rights and freedoms
help me understand who I am as
a Canadian.