On Thursday, April 14th elementary and secondary school students, their families and teachers joined with Ontario Bar Association (OBA) members to celebrate Law Day and to honour award recipients of the Expressly Law Day program.

Expressly Law Day is a free program, hosted by the OBA, inviting Ontario students enrolled in grades 5 through 12 to submit a creative work (visual art or written) that in some way represents the principles of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and what they mean to them.

An evolution of the OBA's popular Law Day Photography Contest, which engaged students from across the province for more than a decade, Expressly Law Day affords students a creative outlet and interaction with the Charter while providing access to the legal profession.

We are proud to present the winning submissions:

Winner, written works:

Ryan Lin, Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute

I Am.

I am the unseen juror in every courtroom. I am the silent speaker of every parliamentary meeting. I am the ray of sunlight, the gentle breeze, and the watchful clouds above. I officially came into this world in the spring of 1982, but I have always been alive in the hearts of each and every one of you.

I go by many names, the Charter, the CCRF, and sections 1~34. But if you need me, I will always be there. From the bustling streets of Toronto to the rugged streets of Charlottetown, I am present in classrooms, offices and at the local convenience store. I never rest, working through the night until the I hear the trumpets of “O Canada” at dawn.

I stand guard at our borders, greeting everyone with wide open arms and a warm smile. No matter where you’re from or where you hope to go, I will always make this promise:

I promise that I am blind, that I cannot see gender, race, disability or sexual orientation. But I also vow to never turn a blind eye injustice, oppression or hate.

I promise to defend your values, regardless of what they are. But in exchange, you must pledge to respect those of others.

I promise that no one can deprive you of the fundamental prerogatives common to all of humanity. I promise that no government, no organization and no person can strip you of your dignity or free will.

If you are accused of wrongdoing, I promise that you will receive a fair chance to defend yourself. If you cannot speak, you will be given someone to speak on your behalf; if you cannot fight, someone will fight on your behalf. Your voice will never be silenced, nor will your ears fall on deaf ears. And I promise that you will never be judged by anything but the truth.

Through the voice of lawyers and justices I speak mind. And through the sparring of words and ideas before me, my voice becomes stronger and clearer, the collective thoughts of our society. I change as Canada changes, for the same blood runs freely through us, a constant stream of equality, multiculturalism, and respectful harmony.

An unsung hero, my legends are tucked away in the books of history. But the chords they strike still ring loud and clear as each new pages is being written.

I am the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and I am rightfully yours.

Winner, visual arts:

Parmeen Khaira