Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship
Canadian citizenship comes with both rights and responsibilities. Canada's rich tradition of rights and freedoms has deep roots, stretching back through centuries of English and French law. By becoming a citizen, you take on the duties and obligations of belonging to Canada, and you share in the freedoms it protects.
Where our rights and freedoms come from
Canadians enjoy rights and freedoms that developed over many centuries. Some of the most important date back to early English law and traditions that Canada inherited and built upon.
- Magna Carta, also known as the Great Charter of Freedoms, signed in England in 1215.
- Habeas corpus, the right to challenge unlawful detention by the state.
- Freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief, opinion and expression.
- The right to a fair trial through due process of law.
- These rights grew out of English common law, the French civil code, and the unwritten constitution Canada inherited from Britain.
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
In 1982, Canada's existing rights and freedoms were brought together in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Charter is part of the Constitution, the highest law of Canada. It begins by affirming that Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law.
The Charter sets out several categories of rights, including fundamental freedoms, mobility rights, Aboriginal peoples' rights, official language rights and minority language educational rights, and multiculturalism.
Fundamental freedoms
The Charter protects the fundamental freedoms of everyone in Canada. These are central to Canadian life:
- Freedom of conscience and religion.
- Freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of speech and of the press.
- Freedom of peaceful assembly.
- Freedom of association.
Other rights protected by the Charter
- Mobility rights: Canadians can live and work anywhere in Canada, enter and leave the country freely, and apply for a passport.
- Aboriginal peoples' rights: the Charter does not take away any rights of Aboriginal peoples of Canada.
- Official language rights and minority language educational rights: French and English have equal status in Parliament and throughout the government.
- Multiculturalism: a fundamental characteristic of the Canadian heritage and identity, recognized in the Charter.
Responsibilities of citizenship
Citizenship is more than a set of rights. In Canada, rights come with responsibilities. These shared duties help maintain a free and democratic society:
- Obeying the law: no person or group is above the law.
- Taking responsibility for oneself and one's family by getting a job and supporting yourself.
- Serving on a jury when called to do so, an important duty.
- Voting in elections, both a right and a responsibility.
- Helping others in the community, for example through volunteering.
- Protecting and enjoying our heritage and environment for future generations.
Defending Canada
There is no compulsory military service in Canada. However, serving in the regular Canadian Armed Forces (Navy, Army and Air Force) is a noble way to contribute to the country. You may also serve in the Reserves, the Coast Guard, or local police forces. By helping to protect your community, you follow in the footsteps of Canadians before you who made sacrifices in the cause of freedom.
The equality of women and men
In Canada, men and women are equal under the law. Canada's openness and generosity do not extend to barbaric cultural practices that tolerate violence against women or other unacceptable behaviour, such as spousal abuse, honour killings, female genital mutilation, forced marriage or other gender-based violence. Those guilty of these crimes are severely punished under Canada's criminal laws.