Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Everyone in Canada is considered equal under the law regardless of race, age, sex, religion, class, and disability. This means that everyone has the same rights to be protected by the laws of Canada and also benefit from the laws of Canada. The Charter also guarantees democratic rights and respect for the two official languages of Canada: English and French.

In 1982, Canada established in writing its basic Canadian values in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This charter is a legal document that guarantees certain rights and freedoms for all people in Canada. It is considered the “supreme law of Canada” and all other laws that are not consistent with this charter are not considered valid. You can read the Charter on the Canada Department of Justicewebsite or go to your local public library to find a copy.

The Charter guarantees certain freedoms to everyone in Canada (citizens and non-citizens alike). Some of these include the freedom of religion, freedom of expression, freedom of the press, freedom of peaceful assembly, and freedom of association. Citizens also have other rights set out in their Charter of Rights guaranteeing democratic and mobility rights, guarantees as to the use and access to certain services in the two official languages of Canada, official language education guarantees for their children and protection of the multi-cultural heritage of Canada and of its First Nations peoples. People are given the freedom to choose what they believe and think.