PowerPoint 2: Rights and Responsibilities in a

Democracy

What is a right?• All citizens living in a democracy have guaranteed rights and

freedoms.• A right is a legal privilege or entitlement that is protected.• Rights are usually fought for and claimed, and less often

simply granted.• Examples: the right to express yourself, freedom of religion.

Discussion• Have you ever had to fight or argue for a

privilege at home, in school or in your community? Were you successful? If so, how?

Rights and Freedoms in Canada• The Canadian Bill of Rights (1960) was the first written

expression of human rights law at the national level.• Our rights and freedoms are now protected at both the

provincial and national level by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, a part of the Constitution Act, 1982, that was signed by Queen Elizabeth II.

Seven Sections of the CharterThe Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms has seven sections that define our rights as Canadians:

• Fundamental freedoms• Democratic rights• Mobility rights• Legal rights• Equality rights• Official languages of Canada• Minority language education rights

Fundamental Freedoms• freedom of religion (to choose to worship in your own way)• freedom of thought (to form your own opinion)• freedom of expression (to express your opinion freely)• freedom of the press (to report on all matters)• freedom of peaceful assembly (to gather and protest

respectfully)• freedom of association (to meet and associate with others)

Democratic Rights• In a democracy, we vote for representatives to make

decisions and pass laws on our behalf. Elections are the process of selecting these representatives.

• Every Canadian citizen, 18 years and older, has the right to vote in a Canadian election and to be a candidate in a Canadian election.

• This also includes the requirement of the federal government to hold an election at least every five years.

Universal Suffrage• The right to vote has been fought for by various groups

throughout our history. • Initially, only men who owned property could vote.• After much campaigning by men and women, women

received the right to vote federally in 1918.• The last of the limitations for

various ethnic and religious groups were not removed until 1960.

• Universal suffrage is the extension of the right to vote to all adult citizens.

What is a responsibility?• A responsibility is a duty or obligation. • It is something you should do to show that you

respect your rights.

Example: your right to an education comes with the responsibility to show up to school prepared and on time.

Responsibilities in a Democracy• It is the responsibility of all Canadians to respect and abide by

the rules set out by the Constitution in order to benefit from their protected rights.

• The right to vote comes with the responsibility to vote and to make an informed decision.

Federal Voter Turnout by Age GroupYear 18-24 yrs 25-34 yrs 35-44 yrs 45-54 yrs 55-64 yrs 65-74 yrs 75+ yrs

2004 37.0% 44.0% 54.5% 66.0% 72.9% 75.5% 63.9%

2006 43.8% 49.8% 61.6% 70.0% 75.4% 77.5% 61.6%

2008 37.4% 48.0% 53.9% 59.7% 65.6% 68.4% 67.3%

2011 38.8% 45.1% 54.5% 64.5% 71.5% 75.1% 60.3%

Federal Voter Turnout

1997 2000 2004 2006 2008 201154%

56%

58%

60%

62%

64%

66%

68%

Voter Turnout

Year Voter Turnout

2011 61.1%

2008 58.8%

2006 64.7%

2004 60.9%

2000 61.2%

1997 67.0%

Final Thoughts• Electoral participation in Canada is declining at all

levels of government (federal, provincial/territorial and municipal/local).

• Why do you think fewer people are voting today?

• Is the decline in voting disrespectful to those who had to fight for their right to vote?

• Should voting be mandatory?