NEWS RELEASE

October 5, 1994 For Immediate Release

BREITKREUZ INVITES COMMENTS ON DRAFT CHARTER OF RESPONSIBILITIES

Garry Breitkreuz, MP for Yorkton-Melville responded to concerns from his constituents that the government is putting too much emphasis on "rights" in this country and saying nothing about "responsibilities". Breitkreuz spoke in favour of a Motion introduced by Reform MP, Ian McClelland to change the title of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to the Charter of Rights, Freedoms and Responsibilities. In his speech to the House of Commons, he introduced a comprehensive draft of "duties and responsibilities" which he believes should apply to everyone living in Canada. "Everyone knows we cannot enjoy our rights and freedoms unless we first discharge our responsibilities as citizens," said Breitkreuz.

He invited his constituents and interested Canadians to send him their comments on this first draft. Included in the draft were the following duties and responsibilities: duty to uphold the constitution, obey and uphold the law, respect the rights of others, vote in elections and referendums, pay your fair share of taxes, provide for your children, care for aging parents, accept responsibility for the crimes of your children, support other family members, and not make unnecessary demands from the state (See complete draft attached).

"If Canada had a Charter of Duties and Responsibilities we would have a very different country today. For example, the family needs to be the first line of defence, not the government, in providing care for members in our society. In Switzerland, families are compelled to look after their needy before the government is asked to do so - why not in Canada," asked Breitkreuz. "Think how different this is to the situation we have in Canada today where there is virtually no responsibility placed on parents, grandparents or children for the other members of their family. We need to come back and emphasize the role that families need to play in our society. We need to send a signal to the people of Canada that government is not the primary care-giver. One of the best ways to do that is to change our Charter of Rights and Freedoms to include responsibilities," recommended Breitkreuz.

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For more information please call:

Ottawa: (613) 992-4394

DRAFT CHARTER OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

by Garry Breitkreuz, MP

My constituents have asked me to develop a Charter of Responsibilities to provide a counter-balance to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Everyone knows that we cannot enjoy our rights and freedoms unless we first discharge our responsibilities as citizens. A number of countries have defined an individual's duties to their family, other citizens and their country including, Switzerland, Germany, Ecuador, Israel, Morocco, Japan, Pakistan, Thailand, among others.

Here is a first draft of duties and responsibilities I would like to advance as an amendment to the Canadian Bill of Rights, eventually leading to inclusion in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. I would invite my constituents and any interested Canadian to send me their ideas and comments:

(1)Every Canadian has the duty and responsibility to contribute to the defence of the nation from attack by a foreign power and/or from insurrection from within.

(2)Everyone has the duty and responsibility to abide by the Constitution of Canada, to respect, comply with and uphold the laws of this country, and to obey and assist the authorities who enforce our laws.

(3)Everyone has the duty and responsibility to render assistance in cases of emergency or calamity or in circumstances likely to endanger the existence or well-being of all or part of the population.

(4)Everyone has the duty and responsibility to responsibly exercise their rights and freedoms as an individual having due regard for and without restricting the rights and freedoms of others.

(5)Everyone has the duty and responsibility to vote in elections and in referendums, and participate in civic affairs within the limits and conditions established by law.

(6)Everyone has the duty and responsibility to pay their fair share of taxes within the limits and conditions established by law.

(7)Everyone has the duty and responsibility to receive education and training under the conditions and in the manner provided by law, in order to meet his or her personal obligations to their family, their community and society as a whole.

(8)Everyone has the duty and responsibility to provide the necessities of life, educate and protect his or her children until they are adults.

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(9)Everyone has the duty and responsibility for the crimes committed by their children if it can be proven that they failed to provide proper control and supervision.

(10)Everyone has the duty and responsibility to support and protect his or her parents in case of need and to the extent of his or her means; particularly when they are old and unable to work.

(11)Everyone has the duty and responsibility to assist and support other members of their immediate family in case of need and to the extent of his or her means.

(12)Everyone has the duty and responsibility to do their fair share for society and to not take advantage of others or the state.

(13)Everyone has the duty and responsibility to meet their own needs before taking advantage of any program, grant or loan from the government.

(14)Everyone has the duty and responsibility to work in accordance with his or her capacity and not make claims for welfare benefits from the state until and unless they are destitute and unable to work because of disability, age or ill-health, and no other means of support is available from other family members, private charities and non-governmental organizations.

(15)Everyone has the duty and responsibility to a personal code-of-conduct, behaviour and life-style that would not cause them to become a burden to their family, their community or society as a whole.

(16)Everyone has the duty and responsibility to cooperate with the government with respect to law enforcement and report any illegal activities.

(17)Everyone has the duty and responsibility to conduct oneself in an honest and fair manner relative to others so as to contribute to the well-being of their family, their community, their province and society as a whole.

PLEASE SEND YOUR IDEAS AND COMMENTS TO: Garry Breitkreuz, MP

House of Commons

Ottawa, Ontario

K1A 0A6