Freedom and Fairness in Canada

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Introduction

There are numerous legal issues that are to be addressed by the people of Canada as well as its government, freedom and fairness being among. The word “freedom” has however been perceived and given various notations by different people. “Fairness” on the other hand has been self –defined as every Canadian has different meanings of being fair. The two words “freedom” and “fairness” hence have a huge margin in the meanings from various perspectives but Rawls gives his view of justice as fairness. This is from the political perspective. From this political point of view, the meaning of justice according to him is equality and fairness. The two terms (freedom and fairness) however are interlinked with law. We can hence say that the three terms, justice, freedom, fairness, have nearly equal meaning but law is divergent as it comprises of all.

Freedom and fairness in Canada

Law and freedom have various limits and are perceived differently from various people and scholars in Canada. The laws differ in magnitudes and forms (oral and written). One law may mean one thing in one country and another in different country. Joshi 2003 similarly gives the clarification of justice as fairness. He says, “There is a general presumption against imposing legal and other restrictions on the conduct without specific reason.” But this presumption creates no special priority for any particular liberty” (Reeve 2006: p111). Justice and freedom means to give each person what he /she deserves and it means treating all people equally without favor of any. The two terms (Reeve 2006: p111), further mean to giving fair judgment without reference to anyone’s attention or feelings. This is what should be employed in Canada. The correct and more relevant meaning will be found when every Canadian understands the magnitude and true meaning of fairness (Reeve, 2006: pp 112).

In the same manner, according to Mann the term “fairness” has been used to refer to the equal considerations in making of judgments (Mann, 2002: pg 35). In both terms “fairness” and “freedom”, a notion of desert is crucial. Rawls (2001: pp 19) has stepped forward to illustrate that the only method of fighting injustice and unfairness is to be just and fair. We should not adopt retaliatory moves that promote or exhibit ‘an eye for an eye’ ideology. Though at times natural biasness is mandatory, but Canadians and any other person should be careful and considerate in handling other people even if they are not their close relatives. The Canadian law like other laws gives equal consideration to all people (Joshi, 2008: pp 16). With fairness and justice, the whole world and Canada would be transited and changed from the world of hatred to love, from unfriendly to friendly, biasness to uniformity among others. The unity of all people regardless of the background and the interest would thus be achieved (Joshi, 2008: pp 14). The hidden and the things that are ranked as the impossible would be possible. The qualities such as love, peace, faith, unity through this method would be revealed and would be more relevant in Canada. Scholars say, “Ethics is the way and there is no way to ethics”. Canadians should be fair, just, and good to other people in our judgments as they would have judged us as Canadian law illustrates. This is what Rawls had to support. It comprises of the conception of the value in the lives on human beings. It also comprises of the ideals of the friendship and friendly associations when dealing with each other (Mann, 2002: Pp 46).

The Canadian Human Right Act and freedoms secures the freedoms and rights of all Canadian citizens. It does so in extents as the law states. The issues regarding the rights of human have been perceived differently by various Canadian and scholars though. The divergence in meanings has thus resulted. Moreover, some have been mistreated due to ignorance of the law. In the past, various organizations have been made in Canada to address this issue of human Rights and they have various functions in the globe of Human Rights. All people living in Canada have to be protected and informed of their rights as beings and thus the main function of such organizations. The UDHR shapes and says, “All people are born free, similar in their self-esteem, freedom and rights” (UNDHR 2010). It organization further gives emphasis by stating that all human beings should be unrestricted to all rights and should be free from the discriminations that are based on color, sex, race, religion and such related issues (Zola, 2002: pp 27). The principles further help in the consequence of bearing the heavy weight of biased ruling in Canada. There should be constant consistency across authorities (UNDHR 2010). The comprehension of freedoms and rights in maintaining Canada’s home and intercontinental lawful obligations is in place. The laws also aid in reducing the chances that a person may think unfairly and opt to use the dictatorship in ruling people (Canadians and the people in Canada). The principles help to protect the weak against the pressure that might be put on them and restrains the political leaders from using excessive power on the ruled. The people considered powerful should see to it that the weights of the judgments they give to others have limits, appropriate and dependent on the crime committed or correction being imposed. They give others the freedom to worship even if they differ in their views (Parsons, 2007: p 83).

There are various principles acknowledged by the Canadian Law in an attempt to give the meaning of justice and Human Rights. They are considered the principles of justice. Freedom of religion and freedom of conscience, belief, thought, expression, opinion, association and peaceful assemblies are some of the major principles governed by the Canadian law. The concepts of a good citizen are governed by these principles. The laws are given in Section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act. The issue that the community takes the projects that requires giving one person more authority than the other is objected and punishable according to the law. This is considered injustice. The Canadian laws regarding freedom and fairness do become reasonable only if one can view others as being free and equal to them. These principles are meant to give fair conditions of social collaboration. They are to agree on those terms so as they can be fair to each other even at the cost of their individual interests in the given field as long as the terms are accepted by all. This should be done with a lot of freeness and happiness and not when under pressure (Mann, 2002: Pp 43-46).

It is the role of every Canadian citizen to discourage at all costs ethnic or religious revulsion that stimulus to violence, favoritism and enmity. The unequal rating of people has extended its wings to the underrating of Women’ Rights in Canada. This is why organization such as NWAC was formed. The organization has primarily involved itself with the fight for Native females to emphasize their rights as other beings in Canada. It emphasizes on gender and equality (Zola, 2002: pp 24).

Over the past, Canada has established a worldwide reputation for giving support to human rights as well as encouraging the expansion of latest global human rights gadgets.

However, at present Canada is making a reputation for creating governmental, strategy, and budgetary options and they are aimed at decreasing the human rights of Canadian’s. The other upcoming issue is that the country should give consideration to the emerging poverty of the underprivileged people. This will assist and will reduce biasness as all the people are to be considered equal (Rawls, 2001).

It is therefore vital that such organizations like Human Right treaty be implemented. The law will recognize the overlapping regions of human rights. The various global bodies which have been monitoring the performance of Canada have gotten that such areas need amendment. This was after they realized that failures on Canadian’s part were serious and it had not satisfied the obligations regarding the right of people who are living in Canada.

The other organization that was formed was CERA. It is Ontario-based, a not-for-profit organization that emerged in late 1980s. The major function was to boost the rights of Canadians and eliminate the barriers that deprive the undervalued from obtaining their requirement as far as the housing are concerned (Mann, 2002: Pp 43-46).

Conclusion

When all the amendments would have been done, the country would be satisfactory that its performance would boost as regarding human rights. Some of the aims with which the organization was formed were to; uphold enforcement and understanding of human rights in accommodation amongst marginalized people, give learning equipments and programs on human rights in accommodation to people whose freedoms were violated, and house owners among other people. The other sectors should also be given firm strength. The lope-holes that other people take to underrate others thus will be reduced (Zola, 2002: pp 119- 126).

In a nut shell, all human beings are equal and should be considered so. If we have one creator then all were created with equally, live the same way and should be considered as been equal. This is the policy that the government and all people of Canada should have and utilize. The elements of racism and discrimination will thus be things of the past in Canada. Canada will be a free country where the rich and the poor will have similar opportunities, the disabled and the well equal job chances among other unmentioned benefits. This will be more easy and comprehensive when such organizations like, CERA, NWAC, UDHR are empowered by the government. This is because all the aspects of human right will be considered (Joshi, 2008: Pp 12-14). It is therefore absolutely significant that all the people that are presently living in Canada to perceive the law as intended. People of Canada should have all the freedom and handled fairly in all aspects. Freedom and fairness for all should be the policy in Canada (Reeve, 2006: pp 45).

References:

Joshi, P. (2008). Law in Society. Canadian people and government. Oxford University Press,

Macmillan publishers. Pg 12-24.

Mann, R. ET all. (2002). Canada’s Youth Criminal Justice Act and Female Youth. Positive and Negative Implications of Radical Non-intervention”. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Criminology, Royal York, Toronto, Nov 15, 2005.

New Delhi and New York. Pg 43-46.

Parsons, P. (2007). Ethics in public relations: a guide to best practice”. Koran Page Publishers. Pg 23-35.

Rawls, J. (2001). Justice as Fairness: A Restatement; Harvard University Press. Pg 12-29.

Reeve, D. (2006). Law and freedom: The Benefits of equality and justice.2nd edition, 3rd volume. Rococo publishers. Pg 28-47.

UNDHR (2010). The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Accessed at URL: www.unac.org/rights/declaration.html.

Zola. Y. (2002). HYPERLINK “http://en.cnki.com.cn/Article_en/CJFDTOTAL-SCSF200102003.htm” Ethics and vices. Vices in the society and their reductions. Lotto publishers. Pg 13-34.