Section 1 Introduction
Completion requirements
Unit 3: Section 1: Collective Rights in Canada
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Section 1 Introduction
Your identity as an individual describes who you are. This identity is unique based on your personal characteristics, values, experiences, and interests. Think now about what defines your individual identity.
Part of your individual identity includes the cultural group to which you belong and the place in which you live. Are you a Canadian citizen? You may be a Canadian and also belong to another cultural group. Perhaps you are a member of Canada's First Nations, for example, or Inuit. Or maybe you are a Francophone or have a Ukrainian heritage. As a Canadian, you have a Canadian identity. Think about what defines a Canadian identity.
Your individual identity is also influenced by the groups or collectives of which you are a part.
Do you participate in a group sport, play in a band, or attend a local boys or girls club? Perhaps you are a member of a youth group. Each group has its own collective identity. The collectives to which you belong help define your individual identity.
Review the definitions of individual identity and collective identity in your Issues for Canadians Definitions handout.
Canadian identity is based on strong values shaped by our history and our diversity. Canadian values are part of the identity that describes who we are within the global community as well. You are part of the Canadian collective. You share some traits with other Canadians. Your individual identity is influenced by the fact that you are part of that Canadian collective.
Part of your individual and Canadian identity is the rights and freedoms guaranteed under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Every individual in Canada, whether a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, has individual rights.
In the previous unit, you explored the individual rights that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms ensures. You have investigated the fundamental freedoms for all Canadians. The Charter also protects the rights of certain groups of people. The protection of group rights is known as collective rights.
Canadian identity is based on strong values shaped by our history and our diversity. Canadian values are part of the identity that describes who we are within the global community as well. You are part of the Canadian collective. You share some traits with other Canadians. Your individual identity is influenced by the fact that you are part of that Canadian collective.
Part of your individual and Canadian identity is the rights and freedoms guaranteed under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Every individual in Canada, whether a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, has individual rights.
In the previous unit, you explored the individual rights that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms ensures. You have investigated the fundamental freedoms for all Canadians. The Charter also protects the rights of certain groups of people. The protection of group rights is known as collective rights.
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Canada's history is really the histories of the Aboriginals (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit), Francophones, and Anglophones. The Canada that we know today would be very different without the contributions of these three groups. Collective rights
for these founding groups are based on historical legislation and constitutional rights. Collective rights in Canada are rights guaranteed to these founding groups.
Read the diagram at the bottom of page 122 of the textbook to begin your exploration of collective rights in Canada.
In this section, you will understand the importance that collective rights have for all Canadians. You will examine the role that the federal government has in protecting and improving collective rights. As well, you will examine how founding groups such as Anglophones, Francophones, and Aboriginal peoples, including First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, are protected by laws and policies today.
In this section, you will examine this question:
Read
Read the diagram at the bottom of page 122 of the textbook to begin your exploration of collective rights in Canada.
In this section, you will understand the importance that collective rights have for all Canadians. You will examine the role that the federal government has in protecting and improving collective rights. As well, you will examine how founding groups such as Anglophones, Francophones, and Aboriginal peoples, including First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, are protected by laws and policies today.
In this section, you will examine this question:
How are the collective rights of all Canadians protected?
In this section, you will complete the following:
- Section 1 Inquiry
- activities
- assignments