Chernos Contest

OPTION ONE

The government of Canada has developed a contact tracing app to notify users whether they have potentially been exposed to someone who has tested positive for covid-19. The app has been assessed by the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. In the phase 3 of reopening after a pandemic, the governor of province Z says that all the government employees who are returning to work must download and use the contact tracing app at all times to ensure the safety of their colleagues and their community. If a person refuses to download and use the app, they risk losing their job. What rights and freedoms are at stake here? Do you think this is a fair policy?

OPTION TWO

In response to complaints from the public of police brutality, the City A has made it mandatory for police officers to wear body cameras while on duty. An officer wearing the camera responded to a call at a private residence. Days later, residents of the home called the police service, concerned that their identity and personal information were recorded by the police in the privacy of their own home. What rights and freedoms are at issue? Do you think that the police body-worn cameras should be running at all times? If so, why? If not, who should decide when the cameras should be turned off and under what circumstances? Are body-worn cameras for police a good idea?

OPTION THREE

Canadian province X passes a law that stops almost all non-residents from entering its borders during the COVID-19 pandemic. The law makes exceptions for individuals with extenuating circumstances and for people permanently moving to province X. Province X states that the decision to ban most non-resident travel was made to protect the health of its residents. In justifying its use of a partial border-closure, province X notes that its health-care services would be quickly overburdened if an outbreak occurs. Jo, a resident of a different Canadian province, attempts to enter province X to attend their mother’s funeral. At province X’s border, Jo is refused entry under the travel prohibition. What are the rights and freedoms at stake here? Does the province’s law fairly balance the competing interests and considerations?

OPTION FOUR

A group of high school students has become increasingly frustrated with their attempts to get the attention of their local MPs on a number of issues. The students believe that because they are too young to vote, the government ignores their concerns. The group wants to see the voting age changed from eighteen to sixteen years old. Should the voting age be changed? Why or why not?