Debate
Set-Up
Instructions
Debate
Questions
For or
against?
A teenager found guilty of
a crime should always go to
prison.
What the
law says…
The legal system treats
teenagers differently
from adults. Teenagers
don’t automatically go
before a judge and they
are rarely sent
to prison.
For or
against?
It should be possible to give the
death penalty to teenagers
guilty of very serious crimes.
What the
law says…
The death penalty was
abolished in 1976 in
Canada and it hadn’t
been used since 1962.
Before 1976, a teenager
could be given
the death penalty.
For or
against?
It should be less serious to threaten
someone on the Internet than to
threaten someone in person.
What the
law says…
Whether a threat is
made on the Internet or
in person, it’s a crime
and the same penalties
apply.
For or
against?
Checking and fights are part of
hockey. You shouldn’t be
punished by the legal system if
you hit another player.
What the
law says…
In Canada, the courts have
held that certain blows can
be tolerated in sports when
they are within the rules of
the game.
However, a hockey player
who intentionally injures
another player through a
dangerous act can be
charged with a crime
called “assault”.
For or
against?
A minor (person under 18) should
not be allowed to date an adult
(18 and over).
What the
law says…
Dating someone older is not
illegal in and of itself, but
there are rules in the
Criminal Code about sexual
touching, and these rules
vary according to a
person’s age.
For or
against?
School personnel should be able
to search a student’s locker at
any time.
What the
law says…
School personnel, such as
teachers and principals,
can search a locker if they
believe that a school rule or
the law has been or is being
broken. They can’t search
lockers without a good
reason.
For or
against?
The parent of a 16 year-old who
has quit school should stop
supporting this child financially.
What the
law says…
According to the law,
parents must provide their
children with what they
need to live.
For or
against?
Parents should be able to
use physical force to
discipline their children
(spanking, grabbing an
arm, etc.)
What the
law says…
The Criminal Code says that
parents can use physical
punishment on their
children only if it is
reasonable. However,
this right has been
significantly restricted
by Canadian courts.
For or
against?
When a child or teenager’s
parents separate, the child or
teenager should have complete
freedom to choose which parent
to live with.
What the
law says…
Children cannot make this
decision alone. A judge or
the parents decide who the
child will live with. They must
take the child’s wishes into
account as much as
possible.
For or
against?
A teenager should have the right
to get married.
What the
law says…
No one can marry before
age 16. Teenagers who are
16 or 17 can marry, but only
if the parents give
permission.
For or
against?
Teenagers shouldn’t be allowed
to have plastic surgery.
What the
law says…
Parents must give their
consent if a child under
age 18 wants plastic
surgery.
For or
against?
You should be able to work for a
company before age 16.
What the
law says…
There is no minimum age for
starting to work, but
children under 14 must
have their parents’ written
consent to get a job.
For or
against?
People shouldn’t be punished for
what they say on the Internet
because we live in a free country.
What the
law says…
The right to freedom of
expression can’t be used to
hurt others.
For or
against?
People should be able to post photos
on Facebook without having to ask
everyone in the photo for their
permission.
What the
law says…
Without the consent of the
person in the photo, you
cannot publish a photo that
others could recognize in a
newspaper, magazine,
advertisement or public
place.
The only exception is for
photos of public interest.
For or
against?
People who don’t like their names
should be able to change them.
What the
law says…
Even when people under
age 18 have a serious
reason for not liking their
names, they cannot
change them on their own.
Their parents have to do it
for them.
For or
against?
No one should drink even a small
amount of alcohol while driving a car.
What the
law says…
Drivers with a learner’s or
probationary licence and
drivers under 21 cannot
have any alcohol in their
blood.
For or
against?
A teenager should be able to get a
credit card.
What the
law says…
Teenagers can get credit
cards. However, credit card
companies can impose
conditions. For example,
they can require a parent
to sign.
For or
against?
You should have the rights of an adult
before age 18.
What the
law says…
In Quebec, a person
becomes an adult
in the eyes of the law at 18.
This is called the “age of
majority”. But sometimes
you have to be even older
to exercise certain rights.
For or
against?
Teenagers should have the right to rent
an apartment at any age.
What the
law says…
People under 18 can sign
an apartment lease, but
landlords can impose
conditions. For example,
they can require a parent
to co-sign the lease.
For or
against?
All citizens should be able to get the
services of a lawyer for free.
What the
law says…
A lawyer’s services normally
come at a cost. However,
people with low incomes
can sometimes get free
legal services or services at
minimal cost in certain fields
of the law.
For or
against?
Common-law partners who
separate should have the same
rights and obligations as
married couples.
What the
law says…
In Quebec, common-law
partners do not have the
same rights and
responsibilities as married
spouses.
Conclusion
Questions?
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