What is the Charter of Rights and

Freedoms?
The bill of rights in the Constitution of Canada
Its the first part of the Constitution Act of 1982
Its a set of laws containing the basic rules about how
Canada operates
For example, it states what powers the provincial and
federal governments have
It protects Canadians & allows for them to challenge
perceived violations of their rights & freedoms through
our court system
Charter has 7 categories
Fundamental freedoms
Democratic rights
Language rights
Mobility rights
Minority language educational rights
Legal rights
Equality rights
Your Task

Examine the list of Rights demanded by the Mtis on

P. 161 H
Put each demand (except #8) under the Charter
Right you think it would fit in, had the Charter existed
back then
Also give a reason why each fits into the Charter
Right it does
Ex. That the people have the right to elect their own
legislature Democratic Rights (the right to elect
their own representatives)
Answer Key
1) Democratic rights right to vote
2) Democratic rights Right to pass laws for the
province
3) Democratic right to vote on any new act passed by
Parliament
4) Democratic rights right to vote for positioned reps
5) Legal rights right to own already agreed to land
holdings
Answer Key
6) Fundamental rights for the province to use certain
lands for things it thinks is important
7) Equality rights right to rail connection like other
provinces
9) Equality rights local inhabitants should be able to
enlist in the army
10) Language/ Equality rights equal usage of
languages
Answer Key
11) Language/ Equality rights equal usage of
languages
12) Legal/ Democratic Rights land ownership & usage/
having a say voting
13) Equality/ Democratic rights equal representation in
Parliament & right to vote for reps
14) Fundamental rights beliefs and practices protected
Questions
1) What was the Manitoba Act & what did the Mtis get
out of this?

2) Why might the Mtis still be troubled as the new

province of Manitoba is developing?
Answers
1) What was the Manitoba Act & what did the
Mtis get out of this?
When Red River & the surrounding area became a
province (Manitoba) and entered Confederation in
Canada.
2) Why might the Mtis still be troubled as the
new province of Manitoba is developing?
Settlers were still coming into the area around them.
They might lose political power as they become a
minority.