As a Canadian Citizen, you have many rights and freedoms, however with those rights and freedoms come responsibility.

Your rights may be personal, but your responsibility can have an effect on others.

In March 2005, students at a Toronto High School felt that they should not be forced into dissecting animals in their biology class. (dissections done on preserved, unborn pigs)

Some students claimed it was for religious reasons, others because they were vegetarian and others because it just made them sick.

A school trustee took up the case and felt like students were not given the choice between the actual dissection and a computer program. Therefore this was a breach of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms as they should have the right to refuse to take part in the dissection.

However, they had the responsibility to learn the material another way.

You were crossing the street on a red light when you spotted a police officer. You were jaywalking. Consequences???

Although you received a notice, you failed to show up for your jury duty. Consequence???

You were caught stealing a juice from the cafeteria. Consequences???

You and another student had been fighting at school for months. A fight broke out after school and the other student was rushed to the hospital with severe injuries. Consequences???

You stole the new Iphone 5 out of the locker room from a fellow student. Consequences???

The Police were called to your house because you had a party and were playing loud music after 11pm. Consequences???

Aboriginal influence- Family and Clans are led by a chief and an informal council of elders. Decisions were made by consensus.

French influence- French Civil CodeSet out a list of crimes and penalties that were to

be used in courts.Formed the basis of the Quebec Civil Code, used in

Quebec today. (also in Louisiana and Belgium)British Influence- Parliamentary System with

HOC. Include Habeas Corpus (which means the right of

an accused to know what they are being charged for, the right to a speedy and fair trial and the right to be presumed innocent until found guilty)

1- Civil law2- Criminal law

In both systems, a citizen brings their issue to the province first. If the case is unsuccessful, it can be taken to a higher court for an appeal (a request to reconsider the decision of the lower court).

The court of the final appeal is the Supreme Court of Canada.

Civil Law is divided into 3 major subdivisions:

1. Contract law, 2. Tort law, 3. Family law.

It includes legal disputes between private individuals or groups.

Civil cases rarely involve a jury and are almost always decided by a judge.

Although the person found guilty cannot go to jail, the plaintiff (the person making the complaint in a court of law) can be awarded for damages.

The plaintiff will be compensated often through a financial reward system.

THINK JUDGE JUDY!

Attend a friends party, slip on the icy driveway and break your leg. You can no longer work at the swimming pool as a lifeguard. You can take your friend to civil court to sue for the $$ you should have been making while you were hurt.

You receive an outrageous cell phone bill. You contact your credit card company and find out someone has stolen your credit card info. Due to our “Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act” you are able to get a new credit card and do not have to pay that bill.

Can you think of 3 more Civil law cases?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLoDB_YdibM

Criminal Law is divided into 3 categories:

1. Summary Offences, 2. Indictable Offences, and 3. Hybrid Offences.

Criminal law has the belief that a crime against another person in society is a crime against all of society.

For example, theft, assault, kidnapping and murder are criminal acts where the perpetrator would be arrested by the police.

The accused would then go to court where the case is prosecuted by the Crown.

In Canada, criminal law, or public law, is governed by the Criminal Code of Canada.

The Code defines various crimes and sets out the sentences for guilty parties.

http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-46/FullText.htmlVery complex legal terms which is why most

people arrested will need the immediate help of a lawyer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuDelFUHFwE – why you may need to understand these?

Municipal level- laws are passed by a council through a simple majority vote.By-laws

Provincial Level- each new piece of legislation goes through 3 readings.Signed into law by the Lieutenant Governor

if it passes all 3 readings.

Parliament including the House of Commons and the Senate function to make, change and repeal (remove) laws in the federal government.

The Prime Minister and the cabinet are also members of parliament that are a part of the making of laws in Canada.

Bills at the Federal level are introduced in the House of Commons by the government. On occasion the Senate or an opposition member will introduce a bill.

1. A cabinet minister, private member or other sources present an idea. 2. The idea is presented and explained to cabinet. 3. The idea is approved by cabinet (the cabinet rarely disapproves an idea). 4. The idea is investigated by civil servants. 5. The idea is drafted into the form of a bill. This is done by lawyers. 6. Members of cabinet examine the drafted bill. 7. Cabinet and caucus approve the bill. 8. FIRST READING – The bill is introduced to legislature. 9. SECOND READING – The principle of the bill is debated by legislature.

Legislature then votes on the bill. gives it royal assent. 20. The bill becomes a law. 10. The bill is examined one more time by legislature. 11. The public is able to express their views of the bill. 12. A hearing is held where the suggestion are made to revise the bill. 13. Recommendations to amend the bill are presented to legislature. 14. The bill is amended. 15. THIRD READING – The amended bill is reviewed one more and introduced to

legislature. 16. The final vote is taken to enable the bill to become a law. 17. During House of Commons the senate examines, debates and amends the bill. 18. The bill is passed by senate. 19. The bill is sent to the Governor General for royal assent (signature) on behalf of

the Queen. Remember at the provincial level the Lieutenant-Governor