Originally published in TEACH Magazine, 40 Years of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms Special Issue, 2022
By Krystal Kavita Jagoo
Many students in our country may have realized from a young age that they are treated differently than their peers or other fellow Canadians. They know it’s not right, but don’t have the vocabulary or forum to express this. Then they come to school and learn about the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, a document stating that every person in Canada “is equal before and under the law” and has the right to be treated with respect and dignity.
According to a survey done by Statistics Canada, the Charter is considered the most important national symbol by Canadians, even when compared to hockey or the beaver. It represents the freedom and equality that is synonymous with Canada’s identity; however, is such a revered document truly universal in the human rights it promises to protect?
Krystal Kavita Jagoo, MSW, RSW, is an equity practitioner, educator, and artist. Her writing has appeared in such publications as Prism, Everyday Health, Healthline, and Auto Trader.
