Reading Rights: A Woman's Guide to the Law in Canada

Christine Schmidt specializes in law and sociology at Laurentian
University.

“What is discrimination?” “How do I file a restraining order?”
“Am I entitled to maternity leave?” This user-friendly book provides
clear, straightforward answers to these and other questions about
Canadian law that are of direct relevance to women, particularly those
who are newcomers to Canada.

The book is divided into 10 chapters: “What Is a Right?,” “Human
Rights,” “Employment Rights,” “Marriage Rights,” “Separation
and Divorce,” “Abuse,” “Rights of the Elderly,” “Immigration
and Visa Laws,” “Power of Attorney,” and “The Courts.” Each
chapter outlines the general principles of law in the specified area and
describes concrete steps for women to take if they feel their rights
have been violated. Cartoons are used to illustrate legal principles. Of
particular comfort to immigrant women is a paragraph that asserts their
right to report abuse in their marriage and stay in Canada.

Contact information for legal education clinics, provincial
human-rights commissions, women’s organizations, and so forth is
provided in the book’s resource section. The Charter of Rights and
Freedoms and the Universal Declaration of Rights are reprinted at the
back of the book. Reading Rights is an invaluable resource for women’s
groups, immigrant organizations, and any woman who wants to know what
her basic legal rights are.