Laws and Rights as Established in Canada
The Rights and Freedoms of every Canadian Citizen, and every Canadian Landed
Immigrant are outlined clearly in the Constitution Act of 1982 (formerly the
British North American Act of 1867.) There are 2 parts to the Constitution
Act of 1982, one portion being the Canadian Human Rights Code, of which so
much of our federal and provincial legislation regarding equal rights and
personal rights, is based.
The Human Rights Code covers, among other things, religious freedoms in
Canada, and is the basis upon which our laws are made and upheld. Following
are some excerpts, in no particular order, from the Constitution Act of 1982
and its sub division, the Human Rights Code. These cover religious freedom
in Canada. However, for a complete rendition of the document, see
http://www.solon.org/Constitutions/Canada/English
A kind fellow seems to have put all this information up on this site for
people to reference at will. Thanks Sir!
CANADIAN CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS
Being Part I of the Constitution Act, 1982
[Enacted by the Canada Act 1982 [U.K.] c.11; proclaimed in force April 17,
1982. Amended by the Constitution Amendment Proclamation, 1983, SI/84-102,
effective June 21, 1984. Amended by the Constitution Amendment, 1993 [New
Brunswick], SI/93-54, Can. Gaz. Part II, April 7, 1993, effective March 12,
1993.]
Whereas Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God
and the rule of law:
Guarantee of Rights and Freedoms
RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS IN CANADA.
1. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the rights and
freedoms set out in it subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by
law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society.
Equality Rights
EQUALITY BEFORE AND UNDER LAW AND EQUAL PROTECTION AND BENEFIT OF LAW /
Affirmative action programs.
15. (1) Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right
to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination
and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic
origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.
(2) Subsection (1) does not preclude any law, program or activity that has as
its object the amelioration of conditions of disadvantaged individuals or
groups including those that are disadvantaged because of race, national or
ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.
Legal Rights
LIFE, LIBERTY AND SECURITY OF PERSON.
7. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the
right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of
fundamental justice.
Fundamental Freedoms
FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS.
2. Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:
(a) freedom of conscience and religion;
(b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of
the press and other media of communication;
(c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and
(d) freedom of association.
* Information submitted by Elysium
