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Difference between revisions of "Fundamentals of the Law Lesson Module"
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Fundamentals of the Law Lesson Module (view source)
Revision as of 23:34, 5 November 2013
, 23:34, 5 November 2013→Resources
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Canada’s legal system and political system first came from Britain. We also brought our ideas of personal rights and freedoms from Britain. In Quebec, parts of the legal system came from France. | Canada’s legal system and political system first came from Britain. We also brought our ideas of personal rights and freedoms from Britain. In Quebec, parts of the legal system came from France. | ||
==== Canada‘s Constitution ==== | ==== Canada‘s Constitution ==== | ||
The Canadian constitution is the set of rules that define the powers of the government and | The Canadian constitution is the set of rules that define the powers of the government and the rights of the people. It says how we want to govern ourselves and structure our society. The constitution includes the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (often called the “Charter”). The Charter lists Canadians’ most important rights and freedoms. | ||
the rights of the people. It says how we want to govern ourselves and structure our society. The constitution includes the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (often called the “Charter”). The Charter lists Canadians’ most important rights and freedoms. | |||
The constitution, which includes the Charter, is the highest law in Canada. This means that governments must respect it whenever they pass a law, make a policy, or have day-to-day dealings with us. | The constitution, which includes the Charter, is the highest law in Canada. This means that governments must respect it whenever they pass a law, make a policy, or have day-to-day dealings with us. | ||
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*live and work anywhere in Canada | *live and work anywhere in Canada | ||
*participate in peaceful political activities | *participate in peaceful political activities | ||
'''Legal rights''' | '''Legal rights''' | ||
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====All Canadians are equal==== | ====All Canadians are equal==== | ||
'''Equality''' is one of the most important values in Canada. | '''Equality''' is one of the most important values in Canada.Everyone in Canada is equal under the law. Laws in Canada apply to all people, including the police, judges, and those who work for the government. | ||
Everyone in Canada is equal under the law. Laws in Canada apply to all people, including the police, judges, and those who work for the government. | |||
People in Canada do not get better jobs because of the amount of money they have, their social class or gender. For example, in Canada, women can have the same jobs as men and all the same responsibilities. | People in Canada do not get better jobs because of the amount of money they have, their social class or gender. For example, in Canada, women can have the same jobs as men and all the same responsibilities. | ||
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You must respect the rights of other people even if you don’t like or don’t approve of those rights. | You must respect the rights of other people even if you don’t like or don’t approve of those rights. | ||
'''For example''': Irena doesn’t approve of gay couples. Her culture and religion doesn’t accept them. However, in Canada, she cannot discriminate against them. | <blockquote> '''For example''': Irena doesn’t approve of gay couples. Her culture and religion doesn’t accept them. However, in Canada, she cannot discriminate against them.</blockquote> | ||
You also have responsibilities to the community as a whole. Because you can make use of social services in Canada, you must pay your share of the taxes that finance those services. | You also have responsibilities to the community as a whole. Because you can make use of social services in Canada, you must pay your share of the taxes that finance those services. | ||
