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Table of Contents
The Canadian Bill of Rights was the country’s first federal law to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms. It was considered groundbreaking when it was enacted by the government of John Diefenbaker in 1960.
See the fact file below for more information on the Canadian Bill of Rights or alternatively, you can download our 22-page Canadian Bill of Rights worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
THE COUNTRY OF CANADA
- The country’s name “Canada” is derived from “Kanata,” a Huron-Iroquois word meaning village or settlement.
- Canada is the largest country in the Western hemisphere and the second largest in the world by total area after Russia.
- It has a total area of 9.9 million sq. km. (3.8 million sq. ml.) and touches the Pacific, Arctic, and Atlantic oceans.
- It has the largest coastline in the world, measuring to 243,042 kilometers – including the mainland coast and the coasts of offshore islands.
- Canada is mainly divided into five regions: The Atlantic Region, Central Canada, The Prairie Provinces, The West Coast, and The Northern Territories.
- Canada has more lakes than the rest of the world with about two million; 563 are larger than 100 square kilometres.
- In 1931, Canada became an independent nation. After territorial changes over the years, the country is now made up of ten provinces and three territories.
- In terms of reserve, Canada has the third largest oil reserves in the world after Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.
- Under the Canadian government, the Queen is the head of state (Constitutional Monarchy – United Kingdom), while the Prime Minister is the head of government (Parliamentary Democracy).
- Canada is the first country in the world to adopt a policy of multiculturalism and is home to people from over 250 ethnic origins.
CANADIAN GOVERNANCE
- Although formally under the constitutional monarchy, the British Parliament passed the Canada Act, formally making Canada responsible for all changes to its own constitution.
- The Official Languages Act of 1969 declares that the English and French languages shall “enjoy equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all the institutions of the Parliament and Government of Canada.”
- The Parliament of Canada is vested federal legislative authority, consisting of the sovereign (governor-general), the House of Commons, and the Senate.
- The 308 members of the House of Commons elects the prime minister for a maximum term of five years by universal suffrage in single-member districts.
- Appointed by the reigning monarch, the governor-general holds a ceremonial position upon the advice of the Canadian government.
CANADIAN BILL OF RIGHTS
- The Canadian Bill of Rights was enacted by the Parliament of Canada on August 10, 1960. It provides Canadians with certain rights under the federal laws and statutes.
- Inspired by the Saskatchewan’s Bill of Rights in 1947 (covering both fundamental freedoms and equality rights) and UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, Prime Minister John G. Diefenbaker advocated for the adoption of a bill of rights, which was then enacted by the Parliament.
- Salient features of the Canadian Bill of Rights include the recognition and declaration of rights and freedoms without discrimination by reason of race, national origin, color, religion, or sex. The following human rights and fundamental freedoms, namely:
- the right of the individual to life, liberty, security of the person and enjoyment of property
- the right of the individual to equality and protection of the law
- freedom of religion; speech; assembly and association; and freedom of the press
- Construction of laws and statutes also protect the citizens against:
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- arbitrary detention, imprisonment or exile of any person
- imposition of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment
- depriving a person who has been arrested or detained of the right to be informed of the reason for his arrest, of the right to counsel, or of the remedy by way of habeas corpus
- self-incrimination
- depriving a person of the right to a fair hearing
- depriving a person charged with a criminal offence of the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty or of the right to reasonable bail without just cause
- depriving a person of the right to the assistance of an interpreter in any proceedings in which he is involved in
- Source: https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/laws/stat/sc-1960-c-44/latest/sc-1960-c-44.html
Canadian Bill of Rights Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the Canadian Bill of Rights across 22 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Canadian Bill of Rights worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Canadian Bill of Rights which was the country’s first federal law to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms. It was considered groundbreaking when it was enacted by the government of John Diefenbaker in 1960.
Complete List Of Included Worksheets
- Canadian Bill of Rights Facts
- Get to Know: Canada
- Get to Know: Canadian Territories
- General Rights
- The Basic Rights
- Equality
- Freedom of Religion
- Freedom of Expression
- Terms of Freedom
- Fairness in Court
- Justice for All
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Link will appear as Canadian Bill of Rights Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, November 23, 2020
Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.