Canadian Bill Of Rights

In the various literature studied this semester in ELA A30 there are numerous criteria for deciding Canadian identity. The poem “I am a Canadian” by Duke Redbird mentions many Canadian identities. The quote “I’m a lobster fisherman in Newfoundland. I’m a clambake in P.E.I.” describes the uniqueness of each province. The maritime provinces are involved in fishery while the prairie provinces are rich in resources such as wheat. Different regions have their own identity and their unique identity makes up Canada as a whole. There are things that Canadian enjoys “I’m a clown in Quebec during carnival. I’m a mass in the cathedral of St. Paul. I’m a hockey game in the forum”. These things that Canadian take part in make them distinct from other countries.

Identity is a complex topic for Canadians. How can we define ourselves as a nation if individually we are all different? The country of Canada became united under one flag and one anthem in 1867. Today, separatists like Douglas Christie and Tom Best have a hard time connected with the anthem, our countries means of unity. In the documentary ‘Disunited Sates of Canada’ Douglas Christie speaks to the comparison of the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ to ‘O Canada.’ He says that when he hears American’s sing there anthem he feels passion behind it and it leaves goosebumps under his skin. Yet, when he sings or hears the Canadian anthem he does not feel confident in his nation. This statement touches on an emotion felt by many Canadian citizens today, including myself.

One of the first major acts towards immigration was the Canadian Citizenships Act of 1947, which was passed by WL Mackenzie King on January 1, 1947 (Towards the Citizenship Act. Government of Canada). This act enabled non- Canadian immigrants to live in Canada regardless of their origin and were also able to apply for citizenship after 5 years of living in Canada (Ibid). Other changes included that women would not lose their citizenship if they married a non- Canadian (Erica, Gagnon. Canadian Citizenship Act, 1947). However, Canadians could lose citizenship if they adopted other citizenships (Ibid). This act was significant as Canada was the first Commonwealth country create separate citizenship, which aided in defining their independent nationhood (Towards the Citizenship Act. Government of Canada). Another pivotal movement was the introduction of the Point System in 1967, which instituted three classes of immigrants: independent class, family class and humanitarian class (A.E, Challoner. Canada's Immigration Policy). These classes categorized immigrants’ potential to be active and beneficial to productivity in Canadian society. This act also empowered for provinces to manage their own immigration laws (Ibid). Furthermore, Canadian independence was critical in

The fleur-de-lis appears on Canada’s coat of arms, the queens personal flag, and also those of Trois Rivieres, Sherbrooke, Montreal, and Quebec. It is found on so many flags because initially it would designate areas settled by the french. For many Canadian francophones the fleur-de-lis is a symbol of their cultural identity; when Canada was discovered it was a reminder for the

Canada is perceived by other nations as a peace-loving and good-natured nation that values the rights of the individual above all else. This commonly held belief is a perception that has only come around as of late, and upon digging through Canadian history it quickly becomes obvious that this is not the truth. Canadian history is polluted with numerous events upon which the idea that Canada is a role model for Human Rights shows to be false. An extreme example of this disregard for Human Rights takes place at the beginning of the twentieth-century, which is the excessive prejudice and preconceived notions that were held as truths against immigrants attempting to enter Canada. Another prime example of these prejudices and improper

I think when Canada stopped slavery first it shows that Canada new everyone should be treated fairly and everyone should have equal rights. Also this shows that Canada has pride for the people living in Canada. If Canada had not stopped slavery first than the population in Canada would be low and also Canada won’t look like a good place for people to live in because of the time. That is why this event really contributes to Canadian identity.

The purpose of this is to protect the rights as well as minority language and education rights to any human beings living in Canada. People who were discriminated can now live in Canada in peace. It all started after his Liberal party won the election during the early 1980s and he pushed strongly for a new agreement within Canada's constitution. He did not get any provincial support therefore he arranged a formula to modify the British North America Act and an entrenched Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to be repatriated from Britain. After many years of federal-provincial battles, the Constitution Act was proclaimed. He had fulfilled a goal he had set to himself since the day he became the Prime Minister of Canada. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms still continues to defend the freedom and dignity that define us as Canadians to this

“Most of the rights can be exercised by any legal person, but few of the rights belong exclusively to citizens of Canada”. (Reference8). With the Charter of Rights and Freedoms the Canadian society has a clear view of human rights and freedoms, and ways to enforce these rights. If the laws or governments action violates our Charter, we have the right to ask the court to address this. “At first Canada was able to take in the disrespectful and racist actions towards us Canadians” (Reference9), also we could be imprisoned without a good reason. But when the Charter stepped in, the government or the police must have a good reason or consent from the court to take actions against us. Meaning because of the Charter the government or police cannot harm us Canadians till they have a valid reason or consent from court. Part of our rights is to have a fair and a quick public trial by an impartial court to prove us either innocent or guilty of our crime. “The Indian Act of 1876 affected first nations who had concluded treaties with Canada’s government “. (Reference10) also they banned traditional ceremonies and the people needed the government’s permission to wear traditional clothes. Later on when the charter was introduced to the Constitution, those problems were fixed. Lastly women weren’t allowed to vote till 1920, because of Canada’s Election Act which banned women from

The Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects the civil, legal, and democratic rights of civilians. It also gives the aboriginals, the long forgotten and harshly treated inhabitants of Canada, their legal rights and freedoms. If it wasn’t for Trudeau, we would be living in a non-democratic society full of prejudice and

At the time Pearson was Prime Minister, the current flag was the “Red Ensign”, which symbolized Canada’s historic connection to Britain. Lester Pearson felt Canada needed a flag of its own that would be representative of all Canadian citizens.3 During a parliamentary session, Pearson stated “...I believe most sincerely that it is time now for Canadians in the course of our national evolution to unfurl a flag that is truly distinctive and truly national in character, as Canadian as the Maple Leaf on your badge; a flag identified as Canada’s; a flag which cannot be mistaken for the emblem of any other country; a flag of the future which honours also the past; Canada’s own and only Canada’s. ”4

Prime Ministers of Change: Lester Pearson vs John Diefenbaker Gandhi once said, “We must be the change we wish to see in the world.” Lester Pearson and John Diefenbaker are two of countless individuals who have put this advice to action. These two influential Prime Ministers have made multiple important changes to Canada and the world. Despite having different goals and priorities, both Prime Ministers have improved the lives of many and are considered important in Canadian history. Though John Diefenbaker has made numerous contributions that benefited the country, Lester Pearson made extensive and constructive changes that not only bettered Canada, but that also shaped our future and our identity, making him the more significant Prime Minister.

Canada as nation failed to assimilate the immigrants, minorities and Aboriginal individuals into society. Legislations like the Indian Act, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom, Immigration Act, and Multicultural Act were introduced to help reduce the more recognizable forms of racial discrimination. Canada may believe that they are a nation that is justice and diverse however it failed to fix the core issues that made Canada to what it is today. The laws and regulations are a temporary fix to the problem, and Canada national building was originated in a corrupt and immoral way. Each historical events in Canada are linked together that made up Canada`s identity. Though they seem to be unconnected it indicates the hidden agenda Canada

To the right of the title is a picture of John A. Macdonald, who was essential to Canadian history. He was the first prime minister of Canada, and

Human rights are the rights one has simply by virtue of being human. They are the “highest moral rights, they regulate the fundamental structures and practices of political life, and in ordinary circumstances they take priority over other moral, legal, and political claims” (Universal Human Rights in Theory & Practice, 2003). A right must be recognized by other people to exist, and must be secured through human action. It is an entitlement premised on a widely held set of beliefs about the nature of the entitlement; even if it is not recognized in law, a right emerges from a moral or ideological belief (Berger, 1981). One of the most sophisticated human rights legal law in the world has been established by Canadians. Canadians largely defined rights as civil liberties during the 1940s and 1950s, which meant fundamental freedoms such as speech, association, assembly, religion, press, due process and voting were recognized. Rhetoric surrounding discrimination was largely confined to racial, religious and ethnic discrimination at this time. Today however, the language of rights has now been broadened and appropriated to include an extraordinary range of issues. Discrimination is now banned in Canadian human rights law on the basis of race, religion, color, creed, sex (sexual harassment, pregnancy), age, place of origin, nationality, physical and mental disability, marital status, pardoned conviction, sexual orientation, family status and others. The rights of Aboriginal

There are many ways that people pay tribute to historic events, places of scenic beauty, and special anniversaries (World Book Advanced). One way is by constructing historic monuments and buildings, but many people don't include stamps on this list. The Post Office issues hundreds of stamps annually each year in different forms and designs for numerous occasions (www.2-clicks-stamps.com/article/commemorative-stamps.html). These stamps are called commemoratives, they tell a story and tell what events that America explored, encountered, and exchanged through history.