The advancement and protection of the fundamental rights and freedoms of people to equality, life, liberty and security of the person, among other core rights, and, our freedom of expression, freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of belief, freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of association, defines Canada today.

In the post-World War II era, as the gap in income distribution widens, consumer debt rises, real wages decline and governments and corporations take on unprecedented wealth and power, protection and advancement of the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens has never been more important.