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Everyone has the right to be secure against unreasonable search or seizure. According to the Supreme Court of Canada, the purpose of section 8 is to protect a reasonable expectation of privacy. This means that those who act on behalf of a government, such as police officers, must carry out their duties in a fair and reasonable way.
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is a significant part of our Constitution – the supreme law in Canada. Any law that contradicts the Charter may be invalid. Until 1982, only British Parliament had the power to change our Constitution.
- Fundamental freedoms. Everyone in Canada is free to practise any religion or no religion at all. We are also free to express religious beliefs through prayer or by wearing religious clothing for example.
- Democratic rights. Every Canadian citizen has the right to vote in elections and to run for public office themselves. There are certain exceptions. For example, people must be 18 years old or older in order to vote.
- Mobility rights. Canadian citizens have the right to enter, remain in, and leave Canada. Canadian citizens and permanent residents have the right to live or seek work anywhere in Canada.
- Legal Rights. Right to be secure against unreasonable search and seizure. The Charter protects everyone’s reasonable expectation to privacy. This means that no one can search you, take away your personal belongings or access your personal information without clear legal reasons.
Rights and freedoms in Canada. 1 The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the rights and freedoms set out in it subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society.
- Fundamental freedoms. Everyone in Canada is free to practise any religion or no religion at all. We are free to think our own thoughts, speak our minds, to gather peacefully into groups and to associate with whomever we wish, as long as we do not infringe valid laws which protect the rights and interests of others.
- Democratic rights. Every Canadian citizen has the right to vote in elections for Members of Parliament and representatives in provincial and territorial legislatures, and to seek election themselves, subject to certain limited exceptions (for example, minimum voting age), which have been found to be reasonable and justifiable.
- Mobility rights. Canadian citizens have the right to enter, remain in, or leave the country. Canadian citizens and permanent residents have the right to live or seek work anywhere in Canada.
- Legal rights. Everyone, regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age, or mental or physical disability, is equal before the law.
The rights and freedoms the Charter protects. The rights and freedoms protected by the Charter can be divided into 7 categories. These categories address Canadians’ fundamental freedoms, democratic rights, mobility rights, legal rights, equality rights, official language rights and minority language educational rights.
People also ask
Does the Constitution protect people against unreasonable laws?
What rights does the Constitution protect?
Why is the Constitution important?
What if a law contradicts the Canadian Charter of rights & freedoms?
What rights and freedoms are guaranteed by the Canadian constitution?
How does the Constitution protect people from cruel and unusual punishment?
Section 52 of the Constitution Act, 1982 states that no other law can go against the rights that it protects. This same section gives the courts authority to invalidate legislation that is found to be contrary to constitutional principles.
