- Definition
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is a very important part of Canada's law that protects the basic rights and freedoms of everyone in Canada, like freedom of speech, the right to vote, and equal treatment.
The Charter’s freedom of expression means you can share your opinion respectfully, like in a family discussion.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: The Charter is like the most important family rules for a country, helping make sure everyone is treated fairly and can be heard.
Ask your child: What is one rule that helps make a group fair for everyone?
Common mix-up: The Charter protects fundamental rights and freedoms in Canada, but some rights apply to everyone while others apply specifically to Canadian citizens. Rights can also have legal limits.
Examples
- Equality rights mean everyone should be treated fairly by the law, no matter their background.
- Mobility rights mean a Canadian citizen can live and work in any province.
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
