Canada's+Bill+of+Rights

__**Canada's Bill of Rights**__ media type="youtube" key="PytJZLfCJlI" height="344" width="425"Canada gets its own Bill of Rights (Source: CBC Digital Archive, [])


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 * The Canadian Bill of Rights (1960) was an act that ensured the recognition and protection of Canadians' basic rights and freedoms. It was created by Prime Minister John Diefenbaker's Conservative government. Diefenbaker showed concern for human rights since he was a child, believing that their protection would further promote the concept of "one Canada". The Canadian Bill of Rights was passed as an Act of Parliament on August 10, 1960. This act guaranteed for all Canadians freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and association, freedom of religion, freedom of press, the right of the individual to equality before the law, **  ** and to life, liberty, security of person and enjoyment of property. **   **Unfortunately, the Bill had no constitutional power, and could therefore affect only federal and not provincial laws. This limited authority was the biggest weakness of the Canadian Bill of Rights. As a result, in 1982, Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms was introduced and entrenched in the Constitution to replace the Canadian Bill of Rights.**


 * Despite its limitations, the Canadian Bill of Rights signified the first time in history that Canadians’ fundamental rights and freedoms were guaranteed by law. Although it was not perfect, it certainly paved the way for Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms which was based mostly on the Canadian Bill of Rights. In addition, the Bill of Rights, like the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, showed that the Canadian government is always working to improve our quality of life by assuring people’s freedoms and strengthening Canada as a democratic country.**