What values define Canadian rights and freedoms?

The values that define Canadian rights and freedoms are a combination of constitutional principles, common-law inheritance, and modern statutory commitments. Discover Canada lists the values as: democracy and the rule of law, freedom and respect for cultural differences, equality of women and men, the dignity of the human person, freedom of conscience and religion, and the responsibility of citizens to one another. The preamble to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms also identifies the supremacy of God and the rule of law as foundational principles.

Democracy and the rule of law mean that government acts under law and is accountable through free elections and independent courts. The Constitution Act, 1867 created Canada as a constitutional monarchy with parliamentary government. The Constitution Act, 1982 added the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Part I), section 35 protections for Indigenous rights (Part II), and the constitutional amending formula (Part V). The judiciary is independent of the legislature and executive, with judges appointed by the Governor in Council under sections 96 to 100 of the Constitution Act, 1867 and removable only for cause through a joint address of Parliament.

Equality between women and men is constitutionally guaranteed by sections 15 and 28 of the Charter, with section 28 immune to override under section 33. Equality is operationalised through the Canadian Human Rights Act of 1977, provincial human-rights codes, the Federal Employment Equity Act of 1995, the Pay Equity Act of 2018, and the work of human-rights commissions and tribunals. Cultural-difference protections include the Canadian Multiculturalism Act of 1988 and section 27 of the Charter, which directs Charter interpretation to preserve and enhance Canada's multicultural heritage.

Dignity of the human person, freedom of religion, and citizen responsibility are the connective tissue between rights and obligations. The Supreme Court of Canada has frequently invoked human dignity as a section 15 touchstone. Freedom of conscience and religion is protected by section 2(a) of the Charter. The responsibility of citizens to one another is reflected in laws ranging from the Income Tax Act (which funds the public services every Canadian uses) to the Canada Health Act (which enshrines universal access to medically necessary care) to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action of 2015 (which call on all Canadians to participate in reconciliation with Indigenous peoples).