Great point Matthew. And the reference I used is germaine as well. A lot of folks assume that common sense prevails — until they read the actual terms of employment.

They aren't static lines, in any case. The political climate and movement of public opinion challenges and redraws the lines, judges throw out unconstitutional codes and practices when it reaches that level of examination (in Canada anyway). Legislators write new laws.

Our Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms 1982, has been used by many to challenge abuses of rights, and fortify protections as well. It's the legacy of our late Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, and rightly or wrongly, has provided the means to challenge the status quo in Canada.