Chapter 3 What are rights and responsibilities?
Rights and Responsibilities What is a right? A RIGHT is something to which a person is morally or legally entitled. Examples? Take a few minutes to write down some rights that you have What is a responsibility? Something you are accountable for (you must do). Examples? What are some responsibilities you have.
Deborah Read the quote taken from a grade 9 student here in Manitoba. Are her complaints about lack of freedom valid? Why do you think we have restrictions on personal freedoms?
Rights and Responsibilities Copy the chart down on pg 53 Where do these rights originate from? Canadian Human Rights Act (1977) Provincial Human Rights Codes Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982) Privacy Rights: Privacy Act, Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act.
Right in Conflict How can rights conflict with each other? Schools or Parents Authority vs Student Freedoms Dress codes, Language, Privacy Freedom of Speech/expression Privacy during airplane travel
Is this Ok? Should people be allowed to express sentiments like this in public? Why or why not
Reasonable Limits on Rights and Freedoms In a Democratic Society Individual rights and freedoms need to be balanced with needs of society. In other words our rights and freedoms are not absolute. We have reasonable limits on them. So what would be considered reasonable??
Charter Freedoms Freedom of the press Freedom of religion Freedom of expression Peaceful assembly Live without persecution Criticize and oppose government policies Basically anything not prohibited by law Government can come to your aid if freedoms are threatened. Example the Human Rights Commission.
Freedom of Religion In 1986 Chris Tait, a Manitoba student was suspended from school for a week for refusing to say the lords prayer, which at the time was mandatory. Would this happen today?
Freedom of Thought and Expression A 16 year old youth was arrested and spent 34 days in jail after writing a fictional short story about a teen who tries to blow up his school in revenge for bullying. Do you think the boy should have been arrested? Did this go against his freedom of speech? How has what has happened in schools like Columbine and Newtown Connecticut changed our view on this subject?
Common Good of Society Parliament and the courts have the ability to impose reasonable limitations on expression in order to protect the common good of society. Do you agree or disagree with limiting our expression? Where would you draw the line?
Pause, Reflect and Apply Answer questions 1-3 on page 55 Read the article on pg 57 and answer questions 1 and 2
School Powers and Freedom of Expression Dress codes Examples? Censorship Examples? Do you think that schools should have the right to institute a dress code? Do you think that schools should be able to censor your work? What teachers teach? What we search, download and view?
Charter of Rights and Freedoms Democratic Rights Mobility Rights Legal Rights Equality Rights Minority Language education rights Aboriginal Rights
Democratic Rights Section 3, 4 and 5 of the Charter outline our Democratic Rights. Guarantees Canadians a democratic government and the right to elect their representatives. The rules apply to the federal, provincial and territorial elections. The voting age has gone from 21 to 18 based on a Supreme Court of Canada s decision. Recently voting rights were extended to all inmates of Canada's prison system. Do you agree or disagree with this decision? Why or why not?
Legal Rights Section 7 to 14 of the Charter ensures that you are treated fairly when dealing with the justice system. Examples include: the right to be secure against unreasonable search. The right not to be arbitrarily detained. What does that mean?
Schools Rights Would it be legal for the school (teacher, principal) to search your locker or bag? Yes but the would need a good reason. Teachers, principles, vice principles are acting in place of your parents. School officials are granted authority to maintain order and safety in schools. What are your thoughts on this issue? Should school officials have this right? Why or why not?
Kingsville In 1998 at a high school in Kingsville, Ontario 19 grade 9 boys were stripped searched after a classmate reported $90 dollars missing from a gym bag. Do you think they had the right to search those boys? Why or why not? What would you do if you were in this position as a teacher? What would you do if you were one of the students? The principal and teacher were suspended without pay for 10 days. Do you agree with this?
Equality Rights The right of all Canadians to be treated equally before the law. Regardless of: Colour Religious beliefs Marital status Disability Gender Age Sexual Orientation
Equality Rights and Sexual Orientation Some rights are not specifically stated in the charter. (i.e. Gay/lesbian/transgender) Why where they missed? Do they still have rights? The Supreme Court of Canada has identified grounds for protection listed in section 15(1) of the Charter. Basic goal of section 15 is to protect human dignity ALL CANADIANS ARE EQUAL!! July 2005 the Civil Marriage Act became law. Figure 3.5 pg 61 in text. Do you agree or disagree with this decision? Why or why not?
Disability Rights Disability activists have fought hard to have disability rights included in the Charter. Provided more services for people with mental and physical disabilities. Access to buildings and facilities. Read together pg 62.
Aboriginal Rights Section 25 of the Charter describes Aboriginal Rights. It recognizes the historic treaty rights of the 1 st peoples, Treaty status. Figure 3.6 pg 64.
Language Rights Minority language education rights is stated in sections 23 of the Charter It ensures that French and English speaking minorities in every province and territory can receive publicly funded primary and secondary education. Read pg 65 and answer 1-3