Rules are guidelines that apply specifically to participants in an organized activity, like a sport. Laws are rules established by government that everyone in a society must follow. The key differences are that laws apply to all, are enforced by courts, and have formal consequences for breaking them, while rules are more optional and have less serious consequences. Both rules and laws are needed to maintain order and prevent chaos.

1. What’s the Difference?
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2. What are Rules?
Rules are guidelines for appropriate behaviour.
Rules only apply to the participants in the game or
members of the organization that people are
participating in. For example, a rule of hockey is no
icing. This rule applies only to those playing the game
of hockey.
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3. Do we need rules?
What would happen if a game like hockey were
played without rules?
The game would deteriorate into a series of fights and
injuries; in the end violence rather than skill would win
games.
Sports mirror real life: without rules to govern relations
between people, disorder and conflict would arise.
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4. Do we need rules?
Rules are needed because situations involving more
than one person usually require rules to regulate and
control them. Think of your school, or workplace, or
home, for example, if there were no rules how would
this area of your life change?
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5. What are Laws?
A law is a rule needed to govern an action; a rule that
is established by government for the members of its
society to follow and obey.
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6. How are Rules and Laws different?
A law is not just an ordinary rule. Ordinary rules are
part of our everyday lives in Canada, whether they are
made by institutions, organizations, or schools. We
must obey and follow these rules or face the
consequences. Laws are mandatory, rules may be
optional.
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7. How are Rules and Laws different?
A law, however, is a special kind of rule; it is a legal
rule. Laws apply to all members of society and are
usually made and enforced by the government and
supporting agencies. There is a formal system of
procedures for the enforcement of laws. They are
generally enforceable in a court, whereas rules are
usually not. If a citizen breaks or violates a law, a
system of remedies and punishments is in place to
deal with the offender.
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8. How are Rules and Laws different?
In Canada, we have a democratic system of
government comprised of representatives elected by
the people to make or change laws to reflect the
opinions of the majority of Canadians.
In some countries, the people live under a
dictatorship (a form of government in which there is
one absolute ruler) and have to obey the laws made
by one person, or a small group of people, who have
not been elected to office.
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9. How are Rules and Laws different?
Laws are needed in every society or country to
promote and keep order. Without order, anarchy or
chaos develops and in the midst of anarchy society
falls apart because nothing can be accomplished.
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10. Are all Laws Rules?
Yes.
All laws are rules, but all rules are not necessarily
laws. Can you think of a rule and/or law that supports
this statement?
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11. Rules vs. Laws Quiz
Read each of the following statements.
Is it a rule or a law?
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12. Rules vs. Laws Quiz
1. You don't go to school on Labour Day.
Answer: Law
Explanation:
Labour Day is a statutory holiday. The purpose of a
statutory holiday is provide workers with a day off
without being financially penalized.
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13. Rules vs. Laws Quiz
2. When driving your car, you STOP at a red light.
Answer: Law
Explanation:
This law applies to all citizens, and if caught by an
officer of the law you will be punished.
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14. Rules vs. Laws Quiz
3. You and your friends always sit at the same table in
the cafeteria.
Answer: Rule
Explanation:
This is not enforceable and only applies to you at your
school.
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15. Rules vs. Laws Quiz
4. Every child must go to school until they are 16 or
obtain a diploma.
Answer: Law
Explanation:
This applies to all Canadian citizens. See the Education
Act for more information.
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16. Rules vs. Laws Quiz
5. In elementary school students walk down the
hallways in a single file line.
Answer: Rule
Explanation:
This rule only applies to this particular elementary
school. Once these students leave school, they are not
required to walk in a single file line.
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17. Law: It’s Everywhere!
Law is all around us
Most people have had direct contact with the law or
knows someone who has
Because laws are all around us, and affect everyone,
it’s vital that we know our rights.
Canada has so many laws, and they are constantly
changing
Why do laws change? Because they are intended to
reflect our society’s current values and beliefs.
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