Left And Right Wing Charterphobia Analysis

Within Richard Sigurdson’s article titled Left and Right-Wing Charterphobia in Canada, he criticizes the opinions of left and right-winged individual’s opinions on the effects that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms has on the country. These criticisms and scepticism about the Charter are referred to as “charterphobia” and are looked at from the point of view of liberals and conservatives. The way in which the author approaches the subject of Canada’s charter is in a critical way through the analysis of these criticisms on the left and right wing charterphobia. Not only does the author approach the topic from a critical way but by referencing specific cases in history, he is able to look at the subject historically. It is discussed

It was believed by them that the Charter would act in the interests of corporations and those who were already privileged within society at the expense of those who are at a disadvantage. They were also concerned with the notion that the charter could potentially be “Americanizing” Canada, due to the fact that the charter is very similar to the American Bill of Rights. Sigurdson then gives a counter argument to the claims of the left wings by stating that historically it is apparent that our freedom was protected by the parliamentary government in the past and it should be expected to be protected into the future also. The author also takes into account the rule of law, division of jurisdiction, statutory bills and institutions of parliament that had already been part of our constitution in order to counter the concerns of the left-wings. Differing from the views of the left-wing charterphobes, right-wings were concerned that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms was being used to force the governments into allowing what they called “extremist

It is because of this analysis that I find myself agreeing with Sigurdson that the left and right-wing charterphobes are not entirely correct in their disagreement with the Charter. The ideas and critiques proposed are what have convinced me of the author’s approach to Canadian charter, these ideas are what I have taken away as a result of reading this article. Much like the liberals and conservatives opposing views on a variety of different political topics, right and left-wing charterphobes had very different concerns for why they did not agree with having a charter within Canada. Another idea that has been taken away from this article is that accomplishments for the underprivileged individuals such as the new sentencing for offenders found not guilty for reasons of mental illness, voting rights for those with disabilities and so on improve the democratic nature rather than undermine it like the right-wings argued. What I was also able to take away from this article is that the author did not view the charter as perfect and without flaws but rather did not agree with the charterphobia exhibited by the right and left-winged individuals. The negative sides of the charter are another idea that was taken away from the reading of the article, it is stated that there is an inequality with peoples access to courts and that