I am a Canadian,
free to speak without fear,
free to worship in my own way,
free to stand for what I think right,
free to oppose what I believe wrong,
or free to choose those
who shall govern my country.
This heritage of freedom
I pledge to uphold
for myself and all mankind.
John Diefenbaker, House of Commons Debates (on the Canadian Bill of Rights, July 1, 1960.
John Diefenbaker, House of Commons Debates (on the Canadian Bill of Rights, July 1, 1960.
And here's the preamble to the 1960 Canadian Bill of Rights, which recognizes rights that belong to us already by virtue of natural law instead of being created by legislative or judicial fiat.
The Parliament of Canada, affirming that the Canadian Nation is founded upon principles that acknowledge the supremacy of God, the dignity and
worth of the human person and the position of the family in a society
of free men and free institutions;
Affirming also that men and institutions remain free only when freedom is founded upon respect for moral and spiritual values and the rule of law;
And being desirous of enshrining these principles and the human rights and fundamental freedoms derived from them, in a Bill of Rights which shall reflect the respect of Parliament for its constitutional authority and which shall ensure the protection of these rights and freedoms in Canada:
Affirming also that men and institutions remain free only when freedom is founded upon respect for moral and spiritual values and the rule of law;
And being desirous of enshrining these principles and the human rights and fundamental freedoms derived from them, in a Bill of Rights which shall reflect the respect of Parliament for its constitutional authority and which shall ensure the protection of these rights and freedoms in Canada:
Hat tip: Covenant Zone via five feet of fury.
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