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My Fellow Canadians, it is time once again to engage in those wonderful introspective inspections that are our Constitutional Exposés. In our last exposé we examined the methods of Constitutional reform. Today we will examine the very liberties and freedoms of our citizens, as we decide on a Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The purpose of such a charter is to enshrine rights and freedoms that do not normally exist within the eRepublik world into the Constitution. Much of these would likely pertain to the eCanadian forums, IRC, and any other extra-eRepublikan areas. Here we will discuss the rights of foreign soldiers, Canadian citizens, politicians and their parties, refugees, soldiers, the media, and the provinces. We must collectively decide which rights we will maintain, and which ones we may discard. We must also decide on which of these rights should be exclusive to Canadians; and whether these rights also apply to corporate entities.

We shall start off with the Basic freedoms.
1. Freedom of conscience and religion: These are pretty straightforward. This means that eCanadians on eRepublik, the forums, IRC, MSN, and any other form of social interaction with other eCanadians and eCitizens have the right to their own beliefs, religions, and actions, and cannot be alienated by the government for these beliefs unless said actions are in violation of an eRepublik or eCanadian criminal code.
2. Freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication: I.E. individuals are free to express themselves in whatever way they see fit, and cannot be censored upon the Forums, IRC, MSN, eRepublik, etc. Media owners can thus print whatever they wish without fear of reprisal by the government.
3. Freedom of peaceful assembly: eCanadians are thus allowed to congregate in areas outside eRepublik’s jurisdiction such as other off-site forums without being discriminated against by the government.
4. Freedom of association: eCanadians are free to join whatever Political Party, Organization, in-eRepublik clan, or international group they see fit without being discriminated against by the government.

5. Right to Vote: Every citizen of Canada has the right to vote in an election of members of the House of Commons or of a legislative assembly and to be qualified for membership therein. The Government cannot thus deny certain eCanadians their vote so long as they are eCanadian Citizens.

6. mobility rights: Every citizen of Canada has the right to enter, remain in and leave Canada. Every citizen of Canada has the right to move to and take up residence in any province; and to pursue the gaining of a livelihood in any province without interference by the Government.

7. Legal Rights: Every Canadian Citizen has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice. As such, every eCanadian Citizen has the right to utilize our Universal Healthcare System, join or leave the Canadian Armed Forces as they see fit, and purchase whatever in-game materials they wish whenever they wish to do so. Also, every eCanadian citizen has the right to adequate food and wellness, and cannot be actively denied therein by the Government.

8. BanningEvery eCanadian Citizen upon Banning, Ostracism, or Suspension has the right to be informed promptly of the reasons therefor; to retain and instruct counsel without delay and to be informed of that right; and to have the validity of the detention determined by way of habeas corpus and to be released if the detention is not lawful.

9. Rights of the AccusedAny person charged with an offence has the right to be informed without unreasonable delay of the specific offence; to be tried within a reasonable time; not to be compelled to be a witness in proceedings against that person in respect of the offence; to be presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law in a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial body. Not to be found guilty on account of any act or omission unless, at the time of the act or omission, it constituted an offence under Canadian or international law or was criminal according to the general principles of law recognized by the community of nations. If finally acquitted of the offence, not to be tried for it again and, if finally found guilty and punished for the offence, not to be tried or punished for it again; and if found guilty of the offence and if the punishment for the offence has been varied between the time of commission and the time of sentencing, to the benefit of the lesser punishment.

10. Rights of the WitnessA witness who testifies in any proceedings has the right not to have any incriminating evidence so given used to incriminate that witness in any other proceedings, except in a prosecution for perjury or for the giving of contradictory evidence. A party or witness in any proceedings who does not understand or speak the language in which the proceedings are conducted or who is deaf has the right to the assistance of an interpreter.

11. Equality of Citizens: Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, sexual orientation, current or prior political affiliation, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.

12. Right to appeal:Anyone whose rights or freedoms, as guaranteed by this Charter, have been infringed or denied may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction, Forum administrators, or an appointed representative of the Government (cabinet minister) to obtain such remedy as the court, Administrator or Minister considers appropriate and just in the circumstances.

13. Right to Bare Arms: Every eCanadian has the right to purchase and own weaponry of any quality manufactured from any company or government, and cannot be restricted in doing so by the Government.

14. Right to Security of Finance: eCanadian citizens have the right to security over the finances of the government and their own personal finances. As such, no eCanadian citizen has the right or privilege to remove funds from the National treasury to enrich themselves or their associates without the prior approval of Congress. Thus any removal of funding into a personal account prior to a President leaving office is an offence punishable by banning from eRepublik, eCanada Forums, and ostracism within any other form of communication between eCanadian citizens until said stolen funds are returned. This is to be enforced by the Administration of eRepublik or the eCanadian Forums. Similarly, any removal of funds of an eCanadian citizen by a third party (Example: hackers) is a punishable offence, and is subject to the same penalties as mentioned above.

15. Rights not mentioned. The guarantee in this Charter of certain rights and freedoms shall not be construed as denying the existence of any other rights or freedoms that exist in Canada.

Obviously, I’ve leaned heavily on the real Charter of Rights and freedoms for this. If you have suggestions for other rights and freedoms, please add them below. Let your voice be heard, Canada, and let us know which rights you want, and which you do not.

Additionally, should these rights apply to S.O.s, immigrants, eCanadian Citizens, Refugees, foreign soldiers, political Parties and/or companies?

- Adam Sutler
Minister of Constitutional Affairs.