Canadian Constitution and Charter
High School
Definition
Canada's supreme law, which sets out how the country is governed, and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms within it, which guarantees fundamental rights such as freedom of expression, equality, and legal protections.
Worked examples
The Charter guarantees freedom of expression, so a peaceful protest on Parliament Hill is protected under Section 2(b).
This shows how the Charter protects a fundamental freedom that citizens can exercise.
Section 15 of the Charter ensures equality rights, meaning laws cannot discriminate based on race, gender, or disability.
The Charter's equality provisions prevent unfair treatment by government and law.
Common mistakes
- The Charter protects you from discrimination by private businesses and individuals. → The Charter protects you from government actions; human rights codes cover private discrimination. The Charter binds government and Parliament, not private citizens or companies.
- Charter rights are absolute and can never be limited. → Section 1 allows reasonable limits on rights that are justified in a free and democratic society. Rights can be limited for public safety, order, or other pressing reasons if the limit is reasonable.
- The Constitution and the Charter are two separate, unrelated documents. → The Charter of Rights and Freedoms is part of the Constitution Act, 1982. The Charter is embedded within Canada's Constitution as one of its key components.
Where you'll use it next
You'll apply this when studying landmark Supreme Court cases, analyzing how laws are challenged and upheld, exploring federalism and the division of powers, and understanding citizen rights in civics and law courses.
See also
Rights and FreedomsRule of LawFederalismConstitutional DevelopmentDemocracyRights, Freedoms, and Responsibilities
Reviewed by Pat Cheng, M.Ed. — StudyPug Curriculum Lead · Last updated June 6, 2026