Rights & Responsibilities

The Oath of Citizenship

New citizens take the Oath of Citizenship at a citizenship ceremony. In the oath they promise loyalty to the Sovereign, to obey Canada’s laws, including the Constitution, and to fulfil their duties as citizens.

Canadians swear loyalty to a person, the Sovereign (Queen or King), not to a flag, a document or a country. In a constitutional monarchy the Sovereign represents all Canadians and stands for Canada itself.

To get there, applicants must pass a test on Canada and on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, and show adequate English or French.

Key points

• The oath begins “I swear (or affirm)” and promises to be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Sovereign and to her heirs and successors.
• Today the oath names His Majesty King Charles the Third, King of Canada, His Heirs and Successors.
• New citizens promise to faithfully observe the laws of Canada, including the Constitution.
• The oath says the Constitution recognizes and affirms the Aboriginal and treaty rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
• The oath ends with a promise to fulfil one’s duties as a Canadian citizen.
• Allegiance is to the Sovereign, who personifies Canada, not to a flag, a constitution or a country.
• Applicants aged 18 to 54 must have adequate knowledge of English or French.
• The test covers knowledge of Canada and of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. Applicants 55 and over do not write it.
• After passing, you get a Notice to Appear to Take the Oath of Citizenship with the date, time and place of the ceremony.
• At the ceremony you take the oath, sign the oath form and receive your Canadian Citizenship Certificate.

Practice questions: To whom do new citizens swear allegiance in the Oath of Citizenship? · According to the Oath of Citizenship, what does the Constitution recognize and affirm? · Citizenship applicants aged 18 to 54 must show adequate knowledge of which language?

Where rights and laws come from

Canadians’ rights and responsibilities come from our history. Canadian law secures them, and they reflect shared traditions, identity and values.

Canadian law has several sources. Together they protect an 800-year tradition of ordered liberty that began with Magna Carta in England in 1215.

Key points

• Rights and responsibilities come from Canada’s history, are secured by Canadian law and reflect shared traditions, identity and values.
• Sources of Canadian law: laws passed by Parliament and the provincial legislatures, English common law, the civil code of France, and the unwritten constitution inherited from Great Britain.
• Magna Carta was signed in England in 1215. It is also called the Great Charter of Freedoms.
• Canada’s tradition of ordered liberty is about 800 years old and dates back to Magna Carta.
• Habeas corpus, the right to challenge unlawful detention by the state, comes from English common law.

Practice questions: In what year was Magna Carta signed in England? · What is Magna Carta also known as? · About how old is Canada’s tradition of ordered liberty? · Which two documents are key sources of Canadians’ rights and freedoms? · Canada’s 800-year tradition of ordered liberty dates back to the signing of which document? · Habeas corpus, the right to challenge unlawful detention, comes from which legal tradition?

The fundamental freedoms

The tradition that began with Magna Carta gives Canadians four fundamental freedoms.

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms tries to sum up these fundamental freedoms and also sets out other rights.

Key points

• Freedom of conscience and religion.
• Freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, which includes freedom of speech and of the press.
• Freedom of peaceful assembly.
• Freedom of association.

Practice questions: Which of the following is a fundamental freedom protected in Canada? · Freedom of speech and freedom of the press are part of which fundamental freedom? · What is the freedom to gather peacefully in public called? · Which group of freedoms do Canadians enjoy? · Which fundamental freedom protects people of every faith in Canada?

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

In 1982 the Constitution of Canada was changed to entrench, or firmly set, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Queen Elizabeth II proclaimed the amended Constitution in Ottawa.

The Charter sums up the fundamental freedoms and adds other rights. Its opening words point to religious traditions, the rule of law and the dignity of every person.

Key points

• The Constitution of Canada was amended in 1982 to entrench the Charter.
• It begins: “Whereas Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law.”
• This phrase underlines the importance of religious traditions to Canadian society and the dignity and worth of the human person.
• Mobility rights: Canadians can live and work anywhere in Canada, enter and leave the country freely, and apply for a passport.
• Aboriginal peoples’ rights: Charter rights will not adversely affect any treaty or other rights or freedoms of Aboriginal peoples.
• Official language rights: French and English have equal status in Parliament and throughout the government.
• The Charter also protects minority language educational rights.
• Multiculturalism is a fundamental characteristic of Canadian heritage and identity. Canadians respect pluralism and try to live in harmony.

Practice questions: In what year was the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms entrenched in the Constitution? · What do mobility rights allow Canadians to do? · How does the Charter treat the treaty rights of Aboriginal peoples? · What status do English and French have in Parliament and throughout the federal government? · What is multiculturalism in Canada described as? · What are the opening words of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms? · Where do Canadians’ rights and responsibilities come from? · Besides the fundamental freedoms, which rights does the Charter also protect? · What does the phrase “the supremacy of God and the rule of law” at the start of the Charter emphasize?

Equality of women and men

Men and women are equal under Canadian law.

Canada is open and generous, but this does not cover barbaric cultural practices that tolerate gender-based violence. People guilty of these crimes face severe punishment.

Key points

• In Canada, men and women are equal under the law.
• Barbaric cultural practices that tolerate spousal abuse, “honour killings,” female genital mutilation, forced marriage or other gender-based violence are not accepted in Canada.
• Those guilty of these crimes are severely punished under Canada’s criminal laws.

Practice questions: Under Canadian law, how are men and women treated? · Which of the following practices is a crime and is not tolerated in Canada? · How does Canadian criminal law treat “honour killings” and other gender-based violence? · Which of the following is a crime in Canada, with no cultural exception?

Responsibilities of citizenship

In Canada, rights come with responsibilities, such as obeying the law, serving on a jury and voting in elections.

Obeying the law rests on the rule of law: laws, not arbitrary actions, govern both people and governments, and nobody is above the law.

Key points

• Obeying the law. The rule of law is a founding principle. Individuals and governments are both regulated by laws, and no person or group is above the law.
• The law applies to everyone, including judges, politicians and the police.
• Taking responsibility for oneself and one’s family: getting a job, caring for your family and working hard. Work contributes to personal dignity, self-respect and Canada’s prosperity.
• Serving on a jury: when called, you are legally required to serve. It is also a privilege, because justice depends on impartial juries of citizens.
• Voting in federal, provincial or territorial, and local elections. The right to vote comes with a responsibility to vote.
• To vote in a federal election you must be a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old on voting day and on the voters’ list. Canadian citizens 18 or older may also run in a federal election.
• Helping others in the community: millions volunteer without pay, for example at schools, food banks, charities or by helping newcomers.
• Volunteering is an excellent way to gain useful skills, friends and contacts.
• Protecting and enjoying our heritage and environment: every citizen helps avoid waste and pollution and protect natural, cultural and architectural heritage.

Practice questions: Which of the following is a responsibility of Canadian citizenship? · Which list contains only responsibilities of citizenship? · Which responsibility asks citizens to avoid waste and pollution? · Which Canadian value is reflected in getting a job, taking care of your family and working hard? · What is a common way Canadians help others in their community? · Which of these rights is limited to Canadian citizens? · What are three responsibilities of citizenship? · Under the rule of law, who is regulated by laws in Canada? · Which of the following is NOT a source of Canadian law? · Who is above the law in Canada? · The responsibility to vote applies to which elections? · Who is responsible for protecting Canada’s environment and heritage? · What must you do if you are called to serve on a jury? · According to Discover Canada, what can volunteering help you gain?

Defending Canada

There is no compulsory military service in Canada, but serving in the regular Canadian Forces is a noble way to contribute to Canada.

You can also serve part-time in the reserves, join the cadets as a young person, or help protect your community through the Coast Guard or emergency services.

Key points

• There is no compulsory military service in Canada.
• The regular Canadian Forces (navy, army and air force) are an excellent career choice.
• Part-time service is possible in the local navy, militia and air reserves, giving valuable experience, skills and contacts.
• The cadets help young people learn discipline, responsibility and skills.
• You can also serve in the Coast Guard or emergency services such as a police force or fire department.
• The Canadian Rangers are part of the Canadian Forces Reserves (militia). Drawing on indigenous knowledge and experience, they travel by snowmobile in winter and all-terrain vehicles in summer from Resolute to the Magnetic North Pole.
• The Rangers play a key role in meeting the security and sovereignty challenges of Canada’s North and keep the flag flying in Canada’s Arctic.

Practice questions: Is military service compulsory in Canada? · Besides the military, which is another way to serve and protect your community? · How can Canadians serve in the military on a part-time basis? · Which part of the Canadian Forces reserve helps keep Canada’s North safe? · Young people can learn discipline, responsibility and skills by getting involved in which program?