Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Part of Canada's Constitution since 1982. It protects the freedoms and rights people hold against governments at every level, including cities. Here is how we measure Canada and the people asking for your vote against it.
What it protects
- Fundamental freedoms (s. 2) — conscience and religion, thought and expression, peaceful assembly and association.
- Democratic rights (s. 3–5) — the right to vote and to run for office, and regular elections.
- Mobility, legal and life rights (s. 6–14) — including life, liberty and security of the person (s. 7), and protection from unreasonable search or arbitrary detention.
- Equality (s. 15) — equal protection and benefit of the law without discrimination.
- Limits and overrides (s. 1 and s. 33) — rights can be limited if the limit is reasonable and justified. A legislature can declare a law operates "notwithstanding" some sections for five years (the notwithstanding clause).
- Indigenous rights (s. 25 and s. 35) — existing Aboriginal and treaty rights are recognised and affirmed.
Read the official text on the Justice Laws website.
How we score the Charter
Each score looks at a candidate's or government's public record and stated plans against five tests: freedom of expression and belief, democratic participation, liberty and security of the person, equality for all groups, and respect for Indigenous rights. Higher means the record and plans protect those rights more fully; limits on rights should be justified and proportionate (s. 1).
How to read these scores. They are an editorial first draft on a 0–10 scale, built only from public records and statements gathered on Oct 12, 2026. They are not legal advice, a poll or an endorsement. Where we found no public record, we say "not yet rated" instead of guessing. Check each candidate's own materials before you vote.
| Who | Charter score | Alberta Act score | Confidence | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada (country) | 6/10 | 5/10 | Medium | Rights are written into the Constitution and courts enforce them, but the 2022 Emergencies Act response was ruled a Charter breach (lowered from 8). Sections 1 and 33 allow limits and overrides. The Act is a provincial tool, so it sits in tension with national rules rather than against them. |
| Tom Dyas (Mayor) | 6/10 | 5/10 | Low | Backs more policing and treatment capacity, including secure and mandatory care, which raises liberty and security questions under section 7. Asked the Province for a Kelowna-specific rule and got it. No stated position on the Act. |
| Ron Cannan (Mayor) | 6/10 | 5/10 | Low | Former MP who swore to uphold the Constitution; voting record is mostly budgets and housing. A 2024 opinion column on faith and social issues drew a council rebuke, which touches expression and equality questions. No stated position on the Act. |
| Andrew Uitvlugt (Mayor) | Not yet rated | — | We could not find a published platform. | |
| Council candidates (37) | Not yet rated | — | No public record on either yet. We will add scores as platforms and records are published. | |
Cities do not make criminal law, but a council's bylaws, policing and housing decisions must respect the Charter. Compare with the Alberta Sovereignty Act score.
Next: Alberta Sovereignty Act →