Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship

Citizens of Canada have both rights and responsibilities. They come from Canada's history and are protected by Canadian law.

Canadian law comes from several sources: laws made by Parliament and by provincial legislatures, English common law, France's civil code, and an unwritten constitution that came from Great Britain.

The tradition of ordered liberty goes back to the Magna Carta, signed in England in 1215. The Magna Carta is also called the Great Charter of Freedoms.

This tradition includes these freedoms: conscience and religion; thought, belief, opinion and expression (including free speech and a free press); peaceful assembly; and association.

Habeas corpus is the right to challenge being held unlawfully by the state. It comes from English common law.

In 1982 the Constitution of Canada was changed to entrench (firmly include) the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Its opening words refer to the supremacy of God and the rule of law.

This opening phrase shows that religious traditions matter to Canadian society, as do the dignity and worth of each person.

The Charter tries to sum up the fundamental freedoms, and it also adds other rights.

Mobility rights: Canadians may live and work in any part of Canada, freely come into and go out of the country, and apply for a passport.

Aboriginal peoples' rights: the rights in the Charter will not harm any treaty rights or other rights and freedoms of Aboriginal peoples.

Official language rights: in Parliament and across the whole government, English and French have equal status.

Multiculturalism is a basic part of Canada's heritage and identity. Canadians work hard to respect pluralism and to live in harmony.

In Canada, women and men are equal under the law.

Canada's openness does not extend to barbaric cultural practices such as spousal abuse, “honour killings,” female genital mutilation and forced marriage, or any other violence based on gender.

People found guilty of these crimes receive severe punishment under Canada's criminal laws.

Obeying the law is a responsibility. The rule of law is one of Canada's founding principles.

Both individuals and governments are governed by laws, not by arbitrary actions. Nobody, and no group, is above the law.

Taking responsibility for yourself and your family: getting a job, caring for your family and working hard as well as you can are important Canadian values.

Serving on a jury: if you are called, the law requires you to serve.

Jury service is a privilege. The justice system depends on impartial juries made up of citizens.

Voting: having the right to vote also means you are responsible for voting in federal, provincial or territorial, and local elections.

Volunteering to help others in the community: volunteers give their time without pay, for example at a food bank, at a child's school, or by helping newcomers settle in.

Protecting and enjoying our heritage and environment: every citizen should help avoid waste and pollution and protect Canada's natural, cultural and architectural heritage for the future.

Military service is not compulsory in Canada.

Serving in the regular Canadian Forces (the navy, army and air force) is a noble way to serve Canada and an excellent career choice.

You can also serve part-time in your local navy, militia or air reserves.

Young people can join the cadets to learn discipline, responsibility and skills.

You may also serve in the Coast Guard, or in local emergency services such as a police force or fire department.