The culminating activity for this curriculum document works through the annual Chernos contest through the Canadian Civil Liberties Association. Students are to choose the option that they would like to respond to, choose their format (an essay or video rant) and create their response. Ultimately, students can choose whether or not they would like to submit their work in the contest and ultimately enter to win $500 through the Canadian Civil Liberties Association.
Chernos Contest
OPTION ONE
Sam Smith uses his Twitter account to stay up to date with what MP Rhonda Ramble (his elected representative) is doing in the community. He regularly replies whenever she tweets. Lately, he has been persistently calling her out for attending a rally for a cause he doesn’t agree with. For example, he has tweeted that she is a Nazi-sympathizer. Ms. Ramble has responded by blocking him on Twitter. What rights and freedoms issues should we think about here? Is it fair of Ms. Ramble to block Mr. Smith?
OPTION TWO
People who are experiencing homelessness sometimes panhandle (ask for spare change) to survive. However, some people perceive people who panhandle as dangerous and a threat to public safety. In response to this perception, your province introduces a law that gives the police broad discretion to ticket or arrest people who panhandle if the person being asked for change perceives the interaction as threatening or intimidating. What rights and freedoms are at issue here? Is this law fair?
OPTION THREE
Your province is considering a new law in response to violent physical confrontations between people attending a recent Pride parade, and people protesting against the parade and the LGBTQ2S community. With the aim of safety, the law would prohibit protests in public spaces that create a nuisance, engage in rowdy behaviour, or use profanity. The law would also allow the police to seize any item from protesters that could in their opinion be used to cause violence. What rights and freedoms are at stake here? Does the province’s proposed law balance them appropriately?
OPTION FOUR
Your folks run a popular online parenting blog for which subscribers pay a monthly fee. Since you were a baby, they have posted pictures and stories documenting every stage of your life. You are embarrassed by many of these posts and want them removed from the internet. Your parents refuse, saying they have the right to publish information about you online, and that they rely on the blog income. You have heard talk of a potential new law called ‘the right to be forgotten,’ which enables people to have search engines