Is It Wrong to Obey the Law in Canada?

Is it Wrong to Obey the Law in Canada?

Canadian Laws are meant to represent our society's values; what we, as a collective group, think is right. They are created and enforced for the betterment of society and ensure that the country, and its dealings, are kept in order. This essay will argue that it is not wrong, and therefore is right, to obey the law in Canada for three fundamental reasons; Laws hold and bind a society together, they play a large role in the upkeep of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (CCRF), which is what in essence holds human rights in Canada together, and they are essentially created on behalf of the society.

According to the Dukelow and Nuse legal dictionary, the word "law" is defined as, "Any system of regulations to govern the conduct of the people of a community, society, or nation, in response to the need for regulation, consistency and justice based upon human collective experiences." Essentially, laws are what keep our society running in the orderly manner in which we are used to. Normally, we don't really think about the way laws affect our lives everyday; it is assumed that everyone drive on the right side of the road and stop at red lights, it is assumed that you pay for merchandise in a store or else it is stealing, it is assumed that you sign your cheques and pay your taxes. These "everyday" laws have become so natural that no one ever stops to consider the consequences of not following them; roads and highways would be chaotic, looting would be frequent, if not a normal activity, and everyone would refuse to pay their taxes. While we cannot imagine Canada as a country where this disorder exists, if we were to ignore or not follow the law this would very well become the case.

While laws still aim to make sure that societies conduct themselves appropriately , they also offer and protect many social programs and policies within the country. If, for example, a worker was to become injured on the job, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act ensures that employees are taken care of and compensated accordingly. For example, if you were to fall off of a ladder at work and break your leg, this Act would make sure that you received the proper medical treatment within an suitable period of time, have all of the medical bills paid for if not covered by proper Medical Insurance and monitor the progress of your recovery, as well as protect your job so that you can return to it when you've recovered. Employment Insurance, which is a small percentage deducted from every paycheque by law "provides temporary financial assistance for unemployed Canadians while they look for work or upgrade their skills. Canadians who are sick, pregnant or caring for a newborn or adopted child, as well as those who must care for a family member who is seriously ill with a significant risk of death, may also be assisted by Employment Insurance." Healthcare is another large, and important part of society. As working individuals, everyone pays taxes, which thereby contribute to the funding of Canada's healthcare system. As such, it is necessary for the healthcare system to be governed by law to make certain that the "Canadian health care policy protect[s], promote[s] and restore[s] the physical and mental well-being of residents of Canada and facilitate[s] reasonable access to health services without financial or other barriers." Laws protect other social policies such as Immigration and Student Loans, like OSAP.

Laws are intended to ensure fairness amongst citizens. It is important to note that no one person is better or higher up than anyone else when it comes to enforcing the law. The same laws are applicable to the police, the government, and the public officials who create and enforce them, and "the law ensures that stronger groups and individuals do not use their powerful positions to take unfair advantage of weaker groups or people." As an example, police officers must abide by all laws set out by the legal system and cannot assume that their "powerful position" gives them more of a right to disregard these set laws.

The Canadian Legal system also aims to ensure that the rights of individuals, and their freedoms and liberties, are well protected. This has much to do with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (CCRF). The Charter became "entrenched" in the Constitution when it was patriated by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau in 1982. The main objective of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms is to, "guarantee the rights and freedoms set out in it subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society." The Charter protects eight different chapters of rights, including Fundamental Freedoms, Democratic rights, Mobility rights, Legal rights, Equality rights, Language rights, Minority-language educational rights and Aboriginal rights. Each of these has a subsection of rights, which include items such as the freedom of association, and the right to vote.

Though all parts of the Charter are an important and fundamental part of society, the Legal Rights set out by the Charter are arguably the most important. While laws are set to ensure a safe and peaceful society that produces educated, aware and, essentially, law-abiding citizens, it also understands that the notion of perfection is impossible and has thus set out additional laws to protect those who have broken these regulations. In instances where individuals have chosen to disregard the boundaries of the law by doing anything from running a stop sign to killing another individual, the Charter has implemented numerous laws to adequately and appropriately handle these cases. For example, upon arrest or detention, everyone has the right to be informed of his