Canadian Citizenship Test 2024
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Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship
Rights of Citizenship
Canadian citizens enjoy rights that are secured by Canadian law and reflect shared traditions and values.
The Canadian Constitution includes the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which was entrenched in 1982.
The Charter begins with: “Whereas Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law.”
Key rights in the Charter include Freedom of conscience and religion, Freedom of thought, opinion, and expression, Freedom of peaceful assembly, and Freedom of association.
Habeas Corpus is the right to challenge unlawful detention and comes from English common law.
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 does not adversely affect treaty or other Aboriginal rights.
Official Language Rights: French and English have equal status in Parliament and government.
Multiculturalism is a fundamental characteristic of Canadian heritage and identity.
Responsibilities of Citizenship
Canadian rights come with responsibilities such as obeying the law, a founding principle of Canada.
Citizens must take responsibility for themselves and their families, contributing to Canada’s prosperity.
Serving on a jury is a legal requirement and ensures the justice system works.
Citizens have a responsibility to vote in elections at all levels—federal, provincial, territorial, and local.
Helping others in the community through volunteering is a valued part of Canadian society.
Protecting and enjoying Canada’s heritage and environment is a shared responsibility.
There is no compulsory military service in Canada, but serving in the Canadian Forces (navy, army, and air force) is a noble way to contribute to Canada.
Citizens can also serve in emergency services like police, fire departments, or the Coast Guard to protect their communities.
Young people can gain skills, discipline, and experience by joining cadets, the reserves, or community services.
Equality of Women and Men
In Canada, men and women are equal under the law.
Barbaric cultural practices like spousal abuse, “honour killings,” and female genital mutilation are illegal and severely punished under Canadian law.