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:

• right to vote
• right to life, liberty and security
• right not to be subjected to any cruel and unusual treatment or punishment
• 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
• mental or physical disability

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.