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Justice and the Law in CanadaThis page provides an integrated resource of reference sources dealing with the Canadian justice system, legislation, the courts, law enforcement and other public justice institutions.
Canada's Bijural Legal SystemCanada's bijural legal system, which draws on both English common law and French civil law, is nearly unique among Western democracies. Only two jurisdictions in North America provide for civil law: the state of Louisiana and the province of Quebec. Bijuralism is a reflection of Louisiana's and Quebec’s similar colonial history. (See distribution of World Legal Systems.)
Laws of CanadaThe making of federal laws entails many steps: from legal drafting to tabling and discussion in Parliament, to enactment and then to the drafting of regulations which define their application and enforcement. For more on the legislative process, consult: Parliament siteThis site contains an online searchable resource of all government and private members bills before Parliament and their status (readings) before the House of Commons and the Senate. Consolidated Statutes and RegulationsThe online source for all Canadian laws or statutes and their regulations. Canada GazetteThe Canada Gazette is one of the vehicles that Canadians can use to access the laws and regulations that govern their daily lives. It has been the "official newspaper" of the Government of Canada since 1841. Government departments and agencies as well as the private sector are required by law to publish certain information in the Canada Gazette. Related Publications
Role of GovernmentThe Department of Justice CanadaThe Department's responsibilities reflect the dual role of the Minister of Justice, who is also the Attorney General of Canada; while the Minister is concerned with questions of policy and their relation to the justice system, the Attorney General is the chief law officer of the Crown. Most Criminal Code offences are prosecuted by the provinces, but the Department of Justice, acting for the Attorney General, carries out prosecutions under all other federal laws, including drug offences. In the territories, the Department conducts all criminal prosecutions, including those under the Criminal Code. The Department also fulfils Canada 's international treaty obligations to provide assistance to foreign states in criminal matters through extradition and mutual legal assistance processes. Other Federal Government InstitutionsA comprehensive alphabetical listing provides direct links to the primary Web sites of Government of Canada departments, agencies and Crown corporations. The Department of Justice is responsible for the legal affairs of the Government of Canada as a whole and for providing legal services to individual departments and agencies through departmental legal services units (DLSUs), which are co-located with client departments and agencies and in six regions. The Consolidated Statutes and Regulations site is a directory of legislation drafted for various federal departments and agencies. If you have questions or comments about the interpretation or the applicability of these statutes, you can contact the Department, agency or Crown corporation responsible for the specific statute or regulation, or contact the government hotline 1-800 O Canada (1-800 622-6232). You can determine the Minister responsible for a statute and any associated regulations in the Table of Public Statutes and Responsible Ministers. (Please note that the terms "statute" and "act" or "Act" mean the same thing.) Legal JurisdictionsCanada has a federal system of government. This means that the authority to make laws is divided between the Government of Canada and the provincial and territorial governments. The federal government deals with matters that affect all of Canada, such as criminal law, trade between provinces, telecommunications, immigration and extradition, and fisheries. The provinces and territories make laws in such areas as education, property and health services.
Public Legal Education and InformationPublic Legal Education and Information (PLEI) provides citizens with the legal information they need to make informed decisions and participate effectively in the justice system. The Department of Justice Canada supports the delivery of public legal education and information by providing annual funding to PLEI organizations within each province. Territorial agencies are funded through the Access to Justice Service Agreements. These organizations do not give "legal advice"; they provide information or referrals about various aspects of the law. For example, PLEI might deal with new legislation; child support guidelines; rights of victims; family violence; or youth justice.
Canadian Legal Information InstituteThe Canadian Legal Information Institute (CanLII) is a not-for-profit organization launched by the Federation of Law Societies of Canada with the goal of making primary sources of Canadian law accessible at no charge on the Internet. CanLII gathers legislative and judicial texts, as well as legal commentaries, from federal, provincial and territorial jurisdictions on a single Web site. National Crime Statistics and ReportsStatistics CanadaStatistics Canada provides statistics on such topics as victims, accused and criminals, as well as correctional services, police and the courts. An index of statistical reports is available at no charge on various topics and types of crime, such as organized crime, cyber-crime, hate crime, and victim services. Canadian Centre for Justice StaticticsThis reference tool contains electronic data tables illustrating current and historical data from a number of Statistics Canada surveys. The database shows data on crime, police administration, adult and youth court activity, the correctional population and transition homes, as well as such issues such as criminal victimization and family violence. Crime in CanadaFrom the 2001 Canada Year Book, this e-learning site form Statistics Canada provides a more narrative approach to profiling crime in Canada on such topics as violent crime, youth crime, impaired driving, fraud and technological crime. Canada's Court SystemThe Canada's Court System booklet provides a general description of the court system in Canada, the types and levels of courts and their responsibilities. The following is a list of the courts in Canada. Federal Courts Supreme Court of CanadaThe Supreme Court of Canada is Canada's highest court. It is the final general court of appeal, the last judicial resort for all litigants, whether individuals or governments. Its jurisdiction embraces both the civil law of the province of Quebec and the common law of the other provinces and territories. Federal Court of AppealAppeals from the Federal Court are heard by the Federal Court of Appeal. The Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal also review decisions, orders and other administrative actions of federal boards, commissions and tribunals. Federal Court of CanadaThe Federal Court is Canada's national trial court. It hears and decides legal disputes arising in the federal domain, including claims against the Government of Canada, civil suits in federally regulated areas and challenges to the decisions of federal tribunals. Court Martial Appeal Court of CanadaThis Court hears appeals from military courts which are known as courts martial. The courts martial have power to try military personnel, and civilians accompanying such personnel abroad, for crimes and offences against the Code of Service Discipline. Tax Court of CanadaThe Tax Court of Canada is a superior court to which individuals and companies may appeal to settle disagreements with the Government of Canada on matters arising under legislation over which the Court has exclusive original jurisdiction. Most of the appeals made to the Court relate to income tax, the goods and services tax or employment insurance. Provincial Courts British Columbia: http://www.courts.gov.bc.ca/
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| Last Updated: 2006-10-03 |  |
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