CHAPTER 2 THE RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS OF CANADIANS

2.2 THE DEVELOPMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS

-Canada is often considered one of the best countries in the world to
live
-We place a high value on civil rights (civil rights and freedoms limit
the power of the government)
-Human rights protect people from being unfairly discriminated
against by other individuals
-Being equal under the law is a very recent legal concept in human
history
-Many wars and revolutions had to be fought to get to where we are
today
DATES OF SIGNIFICANCE:
1215 C.E. - King John signed the Magna Carta, limiting the
monarchs power
1775 - The American Revolution occurred as the Thirteen
Colonies fought for their independence from Great Britain
July 4, 1776 The American Congress issued the Declaration
of Independence, proclaiming the existence of a new country,
the United States of America
1783 The Treaty of Paris was signed, creating the United
States of America
1778 The Constitution of the United States was written; it did
not give rights to common people
1791 The U.S. Bill of Rights was passed, giving freedom and
civil rights to Americans

 August 26, 1789 The National Assembly (similar to House of

Commons) passed the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of
the Citizen, guaranteeing all French citizens their basic
freedoms
1865 The 13th amendment to the U.S. Constitution abolished
slavery
1945 A new international organization was formed: the United
Nations
December 10, 1948 the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights was adopted by the United Nations; it was a formal
agreement on specific rights and freedoms for ALL human
beings
Universal Declaration of Human RightsWWII was the most destructive war in history. Millions were killed and
most were defenceless civilians. In 1945, world leaders formed a new
international organization: the United Nations. Its purpose is to save
succeeding generations from the scourge of war.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the
United Nations on December 10th, 1948. It was the first time nations
from around the world signed a formal agreement on specific rights
and freedoms for all human beings.
Page 42- Which countries do you know of that do not live up to the
human rights listed in the document?
-Which, if any rights do you feel are most important?
Section 2.3 Human Rights in Canada after WWII
Canadian Bill of Rights- signed on August 10, 1960, passed by
Parliament- reminded Canadians of the rights and freedoms they
should be guaranteed by the state- but this document was not
entrenched in the constitution.
-The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (CCRF), 1982Pierre Elliot Trudeau was the PM at this time and the CCRF

guarantees our rights and freedoms at every level of government. If

we feel these rights are being infringed, there are remedies available
to us.
August 10, 1960- Canadian Bill of Rights (PM Diefenbaker)Not a revolutionary piece of legislation- not entrenched in the
constitution
April 17, 1982- Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms was
entrenched into in the constitution- pioneered by (PM Trudeau)