Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Essential Questions:
- What is the Charter of Rights and Freedoms?
- What rights and freedoms are contained in the Charter?
- How does the Charter protect Canadians?
- Are there limits to our rights and freedoms?
- What happens if your rights and freedoms are violated?
Introduction to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Discussion Questions:
- What stands out for you as you read the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms document?
- What questions do you have?
"The Charter of Rights and Freedoms (the Charter) protects basic rights and freedoms that are essential to keeping Canada a free and democratic society. It is a powerful force for progress, protection, and fairness with the power to influence our society by interpreting laws and policies. The Charter ensures that the government, or anyone acting on its behalf, doesn’t take away or interfere with these rights or freedoms in an unreasonable way."
"Since 1982, the Charter has been an essential part of Canada’s democracy and it will continue to shape our identity as a nation."
"Since 1982, the Charter has been an essential part of Canada’s democracy and it will continue to shape our identity as a nation."
Activity Two: Canadian Charter Rights and Freedoms PowerPoint and Notes
Part One: PowerPoint and Notes Booklet
charter_law_2_myedit2_.pptx | |
File Size: | 5673 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
Part Two:
- Read the article "Why the word 'freedom is such a useful rallying cry for protesters" from CBC Radio - Cross Country Checkup
- Class Discussion: Share our opinions and questions
- Reflection: students will reflect on the ideas presented in the article in their notes booklets.
Activity Three: Charter Case Study Placemat
Each group will be given a 'Charter case study'. Your assignment is to:
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Upholding a Safe Society: Section 8 - Search and Seizure
Essential Question: How do we balance individual rights with collective rights to keep society safe?
Part One: Group Activity
Expectations of Privacy (PowerPoint provided in class)
In groups, discuss and determine the following:
Part Two: Students' Expectation of Privacy
Reflection on the Essential Question: How do we balance individual rights with collective rights to keep society safe?
Essential Question: How do we balance individual rights with collective rights to keep society safe?
Part One: Group Activity
Expectations of Privacy (PowerPoint provided in class)
In groups, discuss and determine the following:
- "The right to privacy differs depending on where you are" do you agree or disagree? Explain.
- Expectations of privacy card ranking activity
- Complete the reflection questions on this activity in your notes booklet
Part Two: Students' Expectation of Privacy
- In groups, read the case studies to learn more about legal and illegal searches in school
- Respond to the questions in your notes booklet
Reflection on the Essential Question: How do we balance individual rights with collective rights to keep society safe?
Upholding a Safe Society: Gov't surveillance and your Privacy
Essential Question: How do we balance individual rights with collective rights to keep society safe? Discussion Question: What has to happen in a society in order for such a surveillance system to be made in the first place? Use examples from the videos shown. Part One: Videos First Video - Britain's public surveillance system Second Video - China's public surveillance system. Discussion: How do these two surveillance systems balance individual rights with collective rights? Reflection: Answer the questions in the Notes Booklet |
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Three Experts:
Canada has enhanced its public surveillance capabilities over the past few decades.
Activity:
1. The impact of 9-11 on Canadian surveillance laws and the shift in our collective rights.
* www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/ntnl-scrt/cntr-trrrsm/sptmbr-11th/gvrnmnt-rspns-en.aspx
2. The use of surveillance powers to target groups who supposedly "pose a risk to the security of Canada" such as members of Idle No More and environment groups.
*/thenarwhal.ca/surveillance-environmental-movement-when-counter-terrorism-becomes-political-policing/
3. The latest legislation to enhance RCMP and CSIS surveillance powers (2017)
*https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/ntnl-scrt/cntr-trrrsm/shrng-ns-nfrmtn-en.aspx
* https://www.parl.ca/LegisInfo/en/bill/42-1/c-59
* llaws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/annualstatutes/2019_13/FullText.html
Canada has enhanced its public surveillance capabilities over the past few decades.
Activity:
- In groups of 3 you will:
- Research and share out about a different element of this issue in Canada:
1. The impact of 9-11 on Canadian surveillance laws and the shift in our collective rights.
* www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/ntnl-scrt/cntr-trrrsm/sptmbr-11th/gvrnmnt-rspns-en.aspx
2. The use of surveillance powers to target groups who supposedly "pose a risk to the security of Canada" such as members of Idle No More and environment groups.
*/thenarwhal.ca/surveillance-environmental-movement-when-counter-terrorism-becomes-political-policing/
3. The latest legislation to enhance RCMP and CSIS surveillance powers (2017)
*https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/ntnl-scrt/cntr-trrrsm/shrng-ns-nfrmtn-en.aspx
* https://www.parl.ca/LegisInfo/en/bill/42-1/c-59
* llaws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/annualstatutes/2019_13/FullText.html
ACTIVITY NINE: Final Assignment - Charter Case Analysis
The Charter has had a significant impact on law making in Canada. Your task is to analyze two of the assigned precedent-setting Charter cases that have made a difference in Canadian law, and ultimately in the lives of Canadians.
Working individually or with a partner, you will:
Important Charter Cases: Examples of Charter Cases that have had an influence on Canadian Society and the interpretation of laws and policies in Canada HERE
Putting the information together …
Final Reflections: Do these individually in your notes booklet reflection
Final Discussion Questions:
The Charter has had a significant impact on law making in Canada. Your task is to analyze two of the assigned precedent-setting Charter cases that have made a difference in Canadian law, and ultimately in the lives of Canadians.
Working individually or with a partner, you will:
- Be assigned two Charter Cases to analyze.
- For each case:
- Provide a synopsis of each case (paraphrase in your own words what the case was about).
- Proper case citation
- Summary of the facts
- Issue to be decided
- Decision of the Supreme Court of Canada
- Reason for the decision
- Identify what section(s) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms this case relates to.
- What impact/precedent/affect did this case have on Canadian law and the rights of citizens?
- Reflection: Why is the case significant? (Why should we care about it?)
- Connection - is the case connected to issues or events taking place today in Canadian society.
- Is the case being tested today? How?
- Find a current event that is connected to your case in some way.
- Provide a synopsis of each case (paraphrase in your own words what the case was about).
Important Charter Cases: Examples of Charter Cases that have had an influence on Canadian Society and the interpretation of laws and policies in Canada HERE
Putting the information together …
- Create a visual (PowerPoint, Poster, ThingLink, etc.) to share your information with the class.
- ‘Gallery Walk’ – sharing your information in small groups
Final Reflections: Do these individually in your notes booklet reflection
- Which case stood out for you? Explain why.
- What case do you think had the most significant impact on Canadian society in terms of protecting our rights and freedoms? Explain why.
Final Discussion Questions:
- What does the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms show about what Canadians value?
- What do you feel are the most important rights and freedoms? Why?
- If you could add one right or freedom to the Charter, what would it be? How would it make Canada a better place?
Some interesting examples to look at:
Government surveillance and your privacy2) Compare this BM episode to the CCP’s surveillance system (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cGB8dCDf3c&ab_channel=NBCNews). What has to happen in a society in order for such a surveillance system to be made in the first place? Use examples from the video shown.
3) Okay here’s a question for you. Last one, sort of. So what’s your opinion on this? Like if social media and phones are tools that can be used to spy on us, would you personally care if the government had access to your content on Snapchat, Instagram, etc.?
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1NZKndJYktFp8ry5nN79GlJRET7LHMdiXPVkcXd7JY6k/edit#slide=id.p3
Government surveillance and your privacy2) Compare this BM episode to the CCP’s surveillance system (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cGB8dCDf3c&ab_channel=NBCNews). What has to happen in a society in order for such a surveillance system to be made in the first place? Use examples from the video shown.
3) Okay here’s a question for you. Last one, sort of. So what’s your opinion on this? Like if social media and phones are tools that can be used to spy on us, would you personally care if the government had access to your content on Snapchat, Instagram, etc.?
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1NZKndJYktFp8ry5nN79GlJRET7LHMdiXPVkcXd7JY6k/edit#slide=id.p3
Activity Three: Final Assignment - Charter Case Analysis
The Charter has had a significant impact on law making in Canada. Your task is to analyze the two of the assigned precedent-setting Charter cases that have made a difference in Canadian law, and ultimately in the lives of Canadians. Working individually or with a partner, you will:
Putting the information together …
Final Discussion Questions: Do these individually
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Four-Step Guide: How to Analyze a Charter Case
Important Charter Cases
Find examples of Charter Cases that have had an influence on Canadian Society and the interpretation of laws and policies in Canada. Examples of Charter-related Cases |
Final Discussion Questions:
- What does the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms show about what Canadians value?
- What do you feel are the most important rights and freedoms? Why?
- If you could add one right or freedom to the Charter, what would it be? How would it make Canada a better place?