Rights & Responsibilities
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms became part of the Constitution in 1982. It sets out the basic rights and freedoms that all Canadians are entitled to.
Key facts
- ◆ It guarantees fundamental freedoms: conscience and religion, thought and expression, peaceful assembly, and association.
- ◆ It protects mobility rights, Aboriginal peoples' rights, official language rights and multiculturalism.
- ◆ It was signed into law by Queen Elizabeth II on April 17, 1982.
- ◆ Its first words echo the principle that Canada is founded on the rule of law.