Community Living Windsor

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is a law that protects the human rights of every Canadian citizen.

The Charter says that every Canadian has these freedoms:

• believing what you want about the world and religion (freedom of conscience and religion)
• thinking and saying what you want – as long as it doesn’t promote hate towards a group of people (freedom of thought, belief and expression)
• getting together in groups to peacefully support or protest something that is going on (freedom of peaceful assembly)
• belonging to whatever groups and organizations you want (freedom of association and membership)

The Charter guarantees certain rights for every Canadian:

• the right to vote
• the right to life, liberty and security
• the right not to be subjected to any cruel and unusual treatment or punishment
• the right to equality

The Charter says all people are equal. It is against the Charter to discriminate against anyone based on race, colour of their skin, religion, sex, age or mental or physical infirmity.

Click here for more information about the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The Canadian Human Rights Commission is a group that ensures people are being treated equally. They hear complaints from people who have had their rights and freedoms restricted or abused.