Workbook 7

Activity 1: Rights and Freedoms

Get Focused

Canada is a free and democratic society, and this philosophy is the foundation of our constitution. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms is entrenched in our constitution. (Entrenched means the Charter is part of our constitution.)

The Charter defines who we are as Canadians. It represents the morals and values we cherish, and it celebrates the many cultures that come to make Canada their home. It is a document that represents fairness, tolerance, bilingualism, and multiculturalism.

Consider your school, neighbourhood, or community. Do you see diversity? Do your friends and their families share different cultures? Is there more than one language spoken in your home or community?

Canada's multicultural diversity is just one example of Canada's free and democratic society. Do you see other examples within your school, neighbourhood, or community?



The three wise monkeys in Figure 1 represent hear no evil, speak no evil, and see no evil. In a free and democratic society, are you expected to behave like these three wise monkeys?

Think about what a free and democratic society is and what it looks like. What rights and freedoms do you have as a citizen?

Brainstorm about what a free and democratic society looks like. If possible, brainstorm ideas with a learning partner or family member.

Record your ideas in a point-form list or a mind map.

Save your work to your Activities folder.

©Thinkstock

©Thinkstock

View the photographs on pages 88 and 89 of your textbook, Issues for Canadians.

Consider the questions next to each picture. If possible, discuss the questions with a learning partner or a family member.

Return to your point-form list or mind map. Describe how living in a free and democratic society affects your citizenship, identity, and quality of life.

Place your expanded response into your Activities folder.

In this activity, you will begin to examine this question:

What rights and freedoms do I expect to have in Canada?