Discover Canada study notes: Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship

This chapter explains the Oath of Citizenship, the freedoms Canadians enjoy, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and the duties every citizen has. Here are the main ideas in simple English.

What this chapter is about

This chapter explains the rights (freedoms the law protects) and the responsibilities (duties) of Canadian citizens. These rights come from Canada's history and are protected by law.

The Oath of Citizenship

At the citizenship ceremony, new citizens make this promise (they may swear or affirm it):

"I swear (or affirm) that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles the Third, King of Canada, His Heirs and Successors, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of Canada, including the Constitution, which recognizes and affirms the Aboriginal and treaty rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, and fulfil my duties as a Canadian citizen."

In simple words, you promise to:

• be loyal to the King of Canada and to the kings and queens who come after him;
• obey Canada's laws, including the Constitution;
• respect the Aboriginal and treaty rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, which the Constitution recognizes;
• carry out your duties as a citizen.

Why promise loyalty to a person and not to a flag or a document? In Canada's constitutional monarchy, the Sovereign (the King or Queen) represents all Canadians. The Sovereign stands for the country, and the country is represented by the Sovereign.

Note: The printed guide is older. It names Queen Elizabeth II and does not include the words about Aboriginal and treaty rights. The text above is the current version.

Where Canadian law comes from

Canada's laws have several sources: laws made by Parliament and the provincial legislatures, English common law, the civil code of France, and the unwritten constitution that Canada received from Great Britain. Together they protect a tradition of "ordered liberty" that goes back about 800 years to the Magna Carta (also called the Great Charter of Freedoms), signed in England in 1215.

Fundamental freedoms

• Freedom of conscience and religion
• Freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of speech and of the press
• Freedom of peaceful assembly (meeting together peacefully)
• Freedom of association (joining groups)

Habeas corpus is the right to challenge being held (detained) by the state without a legal reason. It comes from English common law.

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

In 1982 the Constitution of Canada was changed to include (entrench) the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Charter begins by saying Canada is founded on principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law. It repeats the fundamental freedoms and adds other important rights:

• Mobility rights: Canadians can live and work anywhere in Canada, enter and leave the country freely, and apply for a passport.
• Aboriginal peoples' rights: the Charter's guarantees do not harm any treaty or other rights of Aboriginal peoples.
• Official language rights and minority language educational rights: English and French have equal status in Parliament and across the government.
• Multiculturalism: a basic part of Canadian heritage and identity. Canadians respect pluralism (many cultures together) and live in harmony.

Equality of women and men

In Canada, men and women are equal under the law. Canada does not accept violent cultural practices against women, such as spousal abuse, so-called "honour killings", female genital mutilation, forced marriage or other gender-based violence. People who commit these crimes are severely punished under Canada's criminal laws.

Citizenship responsibilities

1. Obeying the law: the rule of law means that everyone, including governments, must follow the law. No one is above the law.
2. Taking responsibility for yourself and your family: getting a job, caring for your family and working hard are important Canadian values.
3. Serving on a jury: if you are called, the law requires you to serve.
4. Voting in elections: vote in federal, provincial or territorial, and local elections.
5. Helping others in the community: volunteering, for example at a food bank or your child's school, and helping newcomers settle.
6. Protecting and enjoying our heritage and environment: avoid waste and pollution, and protect Canada's natural, cultural and architectural heritage.

Defending Canada

Canada has no compulsory military service. You can choose to serve in the Canadian Forces (navy, army, air force), the part-time reserves, or the Coast Guard. Young people can join cadets. You can also serve in the police or fire department.

Key facts to remember

• The Oath is now sworn to King Charles III and mentions the Aboriginal and treaty rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
• Canadians pledge loyalty to the Sovereign, who represents all Canadians.
• Magna Carta (Great Charter of Freedoms): signed in England in 1215.
• Four fundamental freedoms: conscience and religion; thought, belief, opinion and expression; peaceful assembly; association.
• Habeas corpus: the right to challenge unlawful detention; from English common law.
• Charter of Rights and Freedoms entrenched in the Constitution in 1982.
• Charter rights: mobility, Aboriginal peoples', official language and minority language education, multiculturalism.
• Men and women are equal under the law.
• Six responsibilities: obey the law; care for yourself and your family; serve on a jury; vote; help others; protect heritage and environment.
• Jury duty is required by law when you are called.
• No compulsory military service; options include the Canadian Forces, reserves, cadets and the Coast Guard.