By Harris Vidyavinodhan
Fundamental Freedoms
Definition: The right of everyone to freely communicate thoughts and beliefs through religion, expression, opinion, communication, media, peaceful protest, etc.
Examples:
1.Fundamental freedom can be found in the press, for example, CTV News takes a more liberal-leaning stance on different political issues such as the Canadian trucker protest, where they condemn the behavior of the protestors, while Rebel News takes a more conservative-leaning stance on different political issues, as they appreciate and support the protestors. (Bauder 1)
2. Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Sikhism, Atheism etc. are all various religions and beliefs that can be expressed by different people in Canada
How I would use it: I use fundamental freedoms in my daily life, through expressing myself with my thoughts and opinions when talking to my family and friends. I can also express my thoughts about our government, such as recently when conversing with my family about the recent Ukraine-Russian conflict, where I expressed my opinion about Canada’s response to the conflict. I am also Hindu and express the religion through everyday practices.
Democratic Rights
Definition: The right for every Canadian citizen, at least 18 years of age, to take part in democracy, vote in elections, run or be a part of an election, and certain elected officials should be rotated in an election after a certain period of time. This allows all people to have a say in the government and leadership.
Examples:
1. The recent 2021 Canadian election reelected Justin Trudeau as prime minister of Canada
2. The Quebec referendum of 1995, where Quebec wanted to become an independent nation, resulted in 50.58% of voters voting for it not to be put into place. (Gall 1)
How I would use it: Although I am not of age to vote, my parents and relatives use democratic rights during elections to vote for elected officials, which I can also take part in by using my right to freely express my own opinion to influence and debate my family and relatives' decisions.
Mobility Rights
Definition: The right of every Canadian citizen to enter, move, live in and leave the country and its provinces, with the respected requirements.
Examples:
1. A Canadian family decides to go on vacation to the Bahamas during spring break and will come back to the country at the end of spring break.
2. Currently, Canadian citizens are required to follow COVID-19 guidelines and requirements to enter the country.
3. Amid the Ukraine-Russian conflict, Canadians in Ukraine flee the country and reenter Canada (Stewart 1)
How I would use it: My family and I expressed our right to mobility by leaving the country multiple times to other countries such as America, Cuba, Sri Lanka and the Dominican Republic. We then further expressed this right by returning to Canada and entering the country. We also express this right by living in Canada currently, and going to Quebec on vacation.
Legal Rights
Definition: The basic rights of fair law and justice, which includes the right to life, freedom, and the several rights for a fair trial, such as to be assumed innocent until proven guilty, to be secure in case of unreasonable search or seizure, etc. and also fair and uncruel punishment.
Examples:
1. Asking a cop for a warrant before they search your home
2. The recent Freedom Convoy Trucker Protest leader Pat King is awaiting a fair sentence hearing but is still innocent until proven guilty (“Freedom Convoy” 1).
How I would use it: My family and I use legal rights daily, as we have the right to life and liberty. But if unfortunately one of our relatives or friends were in legal trouble we can support them by informing them on the legal rights, such as that police officers should have a warrant to search your property, etc.
Equality Rights
Definition: The right of every person to be equally seen and protected under the law
Examples:
1. Workplaces, schools etc. ensure that everyone is treated equally and respectfully regardless of their age, race, gender, etc, by not discriminating towards their character when hiring, teaching etc.
2. In Thunder Bay, equality rights complaints are being alleged towards the Ontario police, where some people of the police force are alleged that they are being discriminated against their mental health, race and gender, but it is not being proven in court as of now (Turner 1).
How I would use it: As a Tamil-Canadian, I have come across discrimination based on my ethnic origin primarily in video game communities, but with equality rights, my family and I are secure from discrimination and racism systemically and in the real world as I am treated equally among my peers at school and my parents are treated equally at the workplace in pay and respect, etc.
Guarantee of Rights and Freedoms
Definition: The assurance that every right and freedom in the charter will be enforced, with exception of just law weighing factors in place.
Examples:
1. Expressing my opinion, exiting Canada, being equal, etc. are all rights I hold and are guaranteed
2. In 1998, an Alberta college professor by the name of Vriend was fired out of his position of being a professor due to being gay. He challenged Alberta in court and said that his right to equality was not guaranteed and that it has been violated. As a result, the court ruled that it was discrimination and a violation of the charter.
How I would use it: I use it in my daily life, as I know that I am guaranteed the rights of freedoms mentioned in the charter, therefore I am treated equally, and can express my opinion and beliefs, etc. This makes me more secure in living my life without discrimination and trouble, as my family and I can challenge others who violate my rights in a court of law.
Official Languages of Canada
Definition: The official languages of Canada are English and French and should be treated equally in status, rights and privileges, with all government institutions required to use English and French.
Examples:
1.The official Canada website (Canada.ca) offers French and English translations for information
2. Labels on products and services offer French and English translations
3. In 1974, the Quebec Language Policy made French the only official language solely in their province (Busque 1).
How I would use it: I see translations of both French and English throughout many products, services and institutions. Also, as English and French are both the official languages, we are taught them in school, and I was able to use my French-speaking skills when going to Quebec during vacation, where I spoke a bit of French with people in Montreal.
Minority Language Educational Rights
Definition: The right for parents to educate their child in their first language outside of English and French.
Examples: Different schools instruct kids on different languages throughout Canada, primarily being Arabic, where they teach kids the Canadian curriculum in the Arabic language.
How I would use it: My Tamil-Canadian parents have used this right in the past, where at a young age I was taught and immersed in a Tamil school for a small period of time. If I have kids in the future, I will use this right to help educate my kids on my mother tongue to keep the language generational.