Your six responsibilities

Emeka is thirty-eight. He came from Nigeria, and he's an accountant in London, Ontario. On Saturday morning, his neighbour Dave waves a letter over the fence. I've been called for jury duty, Dave says. I have to go to the courthouse next month. Emeka is surprised. Can the government really ask you to do that? And will he be asked one day?

So here's the question. Rights come with responsibilities. What are they? Remember, this is a free, independent course. It is not a government course.

The guide's chapter called Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship lists six responsibilities. Let's take them one at a time. First, obey the law. This is part of the rule of law. It means no one is above the law, not even people in government. Second, take responsibility for yourself and your family. Look after yourself and the people who depend on you.

Third, serve on a jury when you are called. A jury is a group of citizens who listen to a trial in court and help decide it. The guide says this is required by law when you are called. Fourth, vote. That means voting in federal elections, in provincial or territorial elections, and in local elections.

Fifth, help others in your community. Many Canadians volunteer. To volunteer means to help for free. Sixth, protect and enjoy our heritage and environment. Heritage means the history and places we share. The environment means nature, like lakes, forests and parks.

What about the army? The guide is clear. There is no compulsory military service in Canada. Compulsory means you must do it. But you can choose to serve. The choices include the regular Canadian Forces, which means the navy, army and air force. They also include the reserves, the cadets, the Coast Guard, and your local police or fire service.

The guide's own study questions include one about responsibilities. So this topic matters. Learn all six, in plain words, so you can spot them in any question.

Let's make it stick. Picture Emeka walking down his street. He stops at a red light. That's obey the law. He buys groceries for his family. That's responsibility for yourself and your family. He passes the courthouse. That's jury duty. He passes the place where he'll vote one day. That's voting. He shovels a neighbour's walk. That's helping others. At the park, he picks up a bottle. Heritage and environment.

Let's change one fact. What if Dave says, I'd rather not go? Volunteering is something you choose. Jury duty is different. When you are called, the guide says serving on a jury is required by law.

The mistake people make is thinking military service is required in Canada. It isn't. There is no compulsory military service. Serving in the forces, the Coast Guard, or police or fire services is a choice.

Here's the one thing to remember. There are six responsibilities: obey the law, take responsibility for yourself and your family, serve on a jury, vote, help others, and protect our heritage and environment.

This week, walk down your own street and name six stops, like Emeka did. Then say the six responsibilities without looking. Next time, a new module, First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.