1-2 Core Values

CANADIAN CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS

Fundamental Freedoms

2. Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:
   • (a) freedom of conscience and religion;
   • (b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;
   • (c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and
   • (d) freedom of association.

Democratic Rights

3. Every citizen of Canada has the right to vote in an election of members of the House of Commons or of a legislative assembly and to be qualified for membership therein.

Mobility Rights

6. (1) Every citizen of Canada has the right to enter, remain in and leave Canada.

• (2) Every citizen of Canada and every person who has the status of a permanent resident of Canada has the right
  • (a) to move to and take up residence in any province; and
  • (b) to pursue the gaining of a livelihood in any province.

Legal Rights

7. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.

8. Everyone has the right to be secure against unreasonable search or seizure.

9. Everyone has the right not to be arbitrarily detained or imprisoned.

10. Everyone has the right on arrest or detention

• (a) to be informed promptly of the reasons therefor;
• (b) to retain and instruct counsel without delay and to be informed of that right; and
• (c) to have the validity of the detention determined by way of habeas corpus and to be released if the detention is not lawful.

Equality Rights

15. Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.

Prohibited Grounds of Discrimination

The British Columbia Human Rights Code prohibits certain types of discrimination in the workplace, unless such discrimination is based on abona fide ("good faith") occupational requirement. That is, unless there is a valid, job-related reason for the apparent discrimination.

These prohibited grounds of discrimination are:

• race, colour, ancestry, place of origin
• political belief, religion
• marital status, family status
• physical or mental disability
• sex, sexual orientation
• age
• conviction for a criminal or summary conviction offence that is unrelated to the job in question

Plus, if an employer creates a position, or implements a workplace policy or procedure, which does not directly discriminate against you but adversely affects you because of one of these grounds, it must make reasonable efforts to accommodate you. For example, if you regularly attend religious services on weekends, your boss should try to take this into account in scheduling weekend shifts.

Workplace Harassment

Workplace harassment is illegal whether it happens in after-hour meetings to discuss work issues, business trips, office parties or lunch meetings.

Employers are responsible for protecting their employees. They must investigate and deal with workplace harassment. A prudent employer will establish comprehensive anti-harassment policies and procedures.

Typical examples of harassment include:

• racial or sexual slurs
• name calling
• racist or sexist joke
• negative stereotyping
• physical assault
• bullying
• threats
• demeaning pictures, posters and graffiti