1. 1. Rights and freedoms
Two important documents:
- •Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982)
- •Canadian Bill of Rights (1960)
2. Four rights of Canadians
- •Right to vote
- •Right to equality
- •Language rights (French/English)
- •Rights of Indigenous peoples
3. Four fundamental freedoms
- •Freedom of religion
- •Freedom of expression
- •Freedom of peaceful assembly
- •Freedom of association
4. 2. Equality and responsibilities
Equality between women and men:
- •Men and women have the same legal rights and opportunities.
5. Example of 'meeting one's needs'
- •Finding a job, raising one's children, paying one's bills.
6. 3. Founding peoples and history
Founding peoples:
- •Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Inuit, Métis), French, British.
7. Métis
- •Distinct people born from marriages between Indigenous peoples and Europeans.
8. Inuit
- •Means "the people" in Inuktitut; inhabitants of the Arctic.
9. 4. Government and politics
Responsible government:
- •The Cabinet must have the confidence of the elected assembly.
10. Sir Louis-Hippolyte La Fontaine
- •First head of a responsible government (1849).
11. Constitutional monarchy
- •The King/Queen is the symbolic head of state; the PM governs.
12. Three branches
- •Executive (PM), Legislative (Parliament), Judicial (courts).
13. Queen vs PM
- •The Queen represents the State; the PM leads the government.
14. 5. Symbols and distinctions
Highest distinction:
- •Victoria Cross (military bravery).
15. State symbols
- •Crown, Canadian flag.
16. 6. Elections and government
Voting:
- •One chooses a member of parliament to represent their riding.
17. Who can vote
- •Canadian citizens aged 18+.
18. Secret ballot
- •No, you are not obliged to reveal your choice.
19. Formation of government
- •The party with the most seats in the House of Commons.
20. Three levels of government
- •Federal, provincial/territorial, municipal.
21. 7. Role of courts
Courts:
- •Interpret laws and settle disputes.
22. 8. Geography
Atlantic provinces:
- •NL, PEI, NS, NB.