It is our hope that through civics education for youth, we can begin to reverse the harm caused to Canada by our first socialist prime minister, Pierre Elliott Trudeau (PET). During his time in office, Trudeau made the controversial decision to eliminate civics education at all levels, from elementary school to university, by using federal funding incentives to pressure provinces into discontinuing these programs. In addition to this, he implemented several policies that laid the groundwork for what many see as a shift toward socialist or even communist ideologies. Perhaps most notably, he introduced the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, a move that has had a lasting impact on the country’s legal landscape.

As a result, two generations of Canadians have grown up without a solid understanding of their rights and responsibilities in society. Many now mistakenly believe that the Charter is the sole document that governs their rights, unaware of the broader context of Canadian law. The Canadian Bill of Rights, privacy laws, informed consent protections, and over 800 years of common law precedents all still remain crucial to our legal system, even though many have forgotten or overlooked them, especially in the shadow of the Charter. Despite the Charter’s limitations, these other legal frameworks continue to shape our courts and our freedoms today.

This is why it is so important that our youth learn about their political system and the rich history of rights and freedoms that underpin it. By understanding the full scope of our legal system — from the Canadian Bill of Rights to common law — they will be better equipped to appreciate the principles that protect their freedoms and to actively participate in preserving the values that define Canada. Civics education is not just about knowledge; it is about empowering the next generation to understand and uphold the rights and responsibilities that come with citizenship.