BASIC RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS: WHAT ARE THEY?

Abstract

This article describes basic rights that are recognized in Canada and the government’s power to limit them, referring to the position in the United States as a comparative point. The author discusses the freedom to communicate information and ideas including freedom of speech, press, assembly and worship and rights related to immigration, deportation, citizenship and voting. The rights from which aliens are excluded and the process by which they may obtain or be denied those rights are scrutinized, as are various substantive rights including personal liberty, equal protection of the law and the effect of discrimination, protection of property, contract and other economic rights, protection afforded by the rule of law in criminal, civil and administrative procedure. The article concludes with commentary on the scheme of the Bill of Rights.