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On November 11, Canadians commemorate those who served and died in military service. Remembrance Day is a time for remembrance, including ceremonies at war memorials across the country.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Jeangagnon · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
English and French have equal status in the institutions of Parliament and the Government of Canada. This institutional principle is different from saying that every Canadian must speak both languages.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Chris Woodrich · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
The Great Lakes are Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario. Canada and the United States share four of them; Lake Michigan lies entirely within the United States.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: APK · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
The British Parliament’s Quebec Act of 1774 restored French civil law in the Province of Quebec while British criminal law remained. It also allowed Roman Catholics to practise their faith.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Diliff · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 2.5 · Credit & context
Inuktut is spoken in different dialects across Inuit Nunangat. Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami’s regional overview includes Inuvialuktun, Inuinnaqtun, Inuktitut and Inuttitut, reflecting linguistic diversity within the Inuit homeland.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Quintin Soloviev · Photo licence: CC BY 4.0 · Credit & context
Judicial independence means that judges can decide cases on the basis of law and facts, free from improper influence by government or other outside parties. It supports the rule of law.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Wladyslaw / Taxiarchos228 · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 3.0 · Credit & context
Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 recognizes and affirms the existing Aboriginal and treaty rights of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada. It identifies Indian, Inuit and Métis peoples for this provision.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: DXR / Daniel Vorndran · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
The Canadian Citizenship Act came into effect on 1 January 1947. It established Canadian citizenship as a distinct legal category, an important development in Canada’s evolving national identity.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Skeezix1000 · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 3.0 · Credit & contextThe Statute of Westminster, 1931 recognized the Dominions’ legal autonomy. Canada retained a reservation concerning amendments to the British North America Acts; domestic constitutional amendment procedures followed in 1982.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Diliff · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 2.5 · Credit & context
Many women gained the federal vote in 1918 when the gender barrier was removed. Other eligibility restrictions still excluded some women, so the change did not establish universal voting rights.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: John.B.Codrington · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
The federal government introduced a head tax on Chinese immigrants in 1885. This discriminatory measure was distinct from the restrictive Chinese Immigration Act adopted in 1923, which severely limited Chinese immigration.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Northwest · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation officially opened in 2015. Statements, documents and other materials gathered by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission became a central part of its work of preserving residential school history.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: GoToVan · Photo licence: CC BY 2.0 · Credit & context
In 1870, representatives of the English- and French-speaking Red River communities met in the Convention of Forty and agreed on demands to present to Ottawa. The convention declared a provisional government with Louis Riel as president.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Jay Friesen · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & contextInuit Nunangat comprises four Inuit land claim regions: the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Nunavut, Nunavik and Nunatsiavut. It is the Inuit homeland in Canada, extending across more than the territory of Nunavut.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Quintin Soloviev · Photo licence: CC BY 4.0 · Credit & contextThe National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation reports that more than 150,000 children attended Indian Residential Schools. The system separated Indigenous children from their families and cultures and caused lasting harm.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: GoToVan · Photo licence: CC BY 2.0 · Credit & context
Treaties establish continuing rights and obligations between Indigenous signatories and the Crown. Historic and modern agreements form part of Canada’s treaty relationships; their particular terms and circumstances differ.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Shahnoor Habib Munmun · Photo licence: CC BY 3.0 · Credit & context
Provinces exercise constitutionally recognized legislative powers. Territorial governments exercise powers delegated under federal legislation. Devolution has transferred additional responsibilities to territorial governments over time.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: OhanaUnited · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & contextEach member of Parliament represents a constituency in the House of Commons. Members consider legislation, work on committees and carry out duties in their constituencies as well as in Parliament.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: DXR / Daniel Vorndran · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
Section 3 of the Canada Elections Act defines a qualified elector as a Canadian citizen who is at least 18 years old on polling day. Registration and identification are separate parts of the voting process.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Coastal Elite from Halifax, Canada · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 2.0 · Credit & context
A federal bill must be adopted in identical form by the House of Commons and the Senate and receive royal assent to become law. Its provisions may come into force at a later date.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Kelvin Chan · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & contextThe prime minister and Cabinet must answer to the House of Commons for their actions. The government must maintain the confidence of the House to remain in office under Canada’s system of responsible government.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: DXR / Daniel Vorndran · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
Canada has a federal system. Its Constitution distributes legislative powers between the federal Parliament and provincial legislatures, rather than placing every area of government under one legislature.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: DXR / Daniel Vorndran · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is part of Canada’s Constitution. It protects rights and freedoms, subject to constitutionally permitted limits. Some protections apply specifically to Canadian citizens.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: Ethan Sahagun · Photo licence: CC BY 4.0 · Credit & contextCanada patriated its Constitution in 1982. The constitutional changes included procedures allowing amendments to be made in Canada, instead of relying on the United Kingdom for major changes.
Contributor: Citizen.ca
Photo: DXR / Daniel Vorndran · Photo licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credit & context