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CA-K1799Citizenship Test

Magna Carta, the Bill of Rights and the Charter

The Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg, used as a modern illustration of rights and civic life.
The Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg, used as a modern illustration of rights and civic life. Canadian Museum for Human Rights at night, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada · Ethan Sahagun · Source copyright notice: Ethan Sahagun · Photo source · Photo licence: CC BY 4.0. Resized for display; record previews may be cropped. The image remains under the licence shown.
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Discover Canada connects Canadian freedoms with Magna Carta of 1215 and the common-law tradition. The Canadian Bill of Rights dates from 1960; the Charter became part of the Constitution in 1982.

Scope & context

Independent citizenship-study support. Read the cited official sources; this is not an official question bank or a guarantee of a test result.

More context

These are distinct documents, not interchangeable names. Magna Carta forms part of the historical background described in the study guide. Habeas corpus is a procedure for challenging unlawful detention.

The Canadian Bill of Rights is a federal statute, not part of the Constitution. The Charter binds governments within its constitutional scope. Most Charter provisions took effect on 17 April 1982; section 15 equality rights took effect in 1985. These are general study distinctions, not advice about an individual legal case.

Prime Minister John Diefenbaker introduced the Canadian Bill of Rights in 1960.

Sources behind this record

1
Discover Canada — Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship ↗

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship; sections and tables identified in the research record

2
Guide to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms ↗

Canadian Heritage

History of the Charter; fundamental freedoms; mobility and equality rights

3
Prime Minister Announces Support for Diefenbaker Canada Centre ↗

Government of Canada

Diefenbaker introduction of the Bill of Rights in1960