Charter Of Rights And Freedoms Essay

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• When did it come in effect The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms came into force on April 17, 1982. Section 15 of the Charter (equality rights) came into effect three years after the rest of the Charter, on April 17, 1985, to give governments time to bring their laws into line with section 15. The Charter is founded on the rule of law and entrenches in the Constitution of Canada the rights and freedoms Canadians believe are necessary in a free and democratic society. It recognizes primary fundamental freedoms (e.g. freedom of expression and of association), democratic rights (e.g. the right to vote), mobility rights (e.g. the right to live anywhere in Canada), legal rights (e.g. the right to life, liberty and security of the person)…show more content…
With respect to language rights, it has reinforced the rights of official-language minorities. With regard to equality rights, it has led to the recognition and enforcement of the rights of a number of minority and disadvantaged groups. In penal matters, the Charter has clarified to a considerable extent the state's powers with respect to offender rights. Other Human Rights Laws There are many other laws that protect human rights in Canada. The Canadian Bill of Rights was enacted by Parliament in 1960. It applies to legislation and policies of the federal government and guarantees rights and freedoms similar to those found in the Charter (e.g. equality rights, legal rights, and freedom of religion, of speech and of association). The Bill is not, however, part of the Constitution of Canada. The federal and provincial and territorial governments have adopted legislation (human rights acts or codes) prohibiting discrimination on various grounds in relation to employment, the provision of goods, services and facilities customarily available to the public, and accommodation. This legislation differs in its application from the Charter's section 15 on equality rights in that it provides protection against discrimination by individuals in the private sector, as well as by

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