Canadian System of Justice: Links to Resources
Common Law and Civil Law
Common Law and Civil Law – An explanation provided by Canada in the Making, concerning the two legal traditions from which Canada draws its legal system: English common law and French civil law (Quebec).
Legal Jurisdictions
The authority to make laws in Canada 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 (with the exception of Quebec), extradition, and fisheries. The provinces and territories make laws in such areas as education, property and health services.
Provincial and Territorial Departments of Justice/Attorney General
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
Canada’s Courts
Federal Courts
- Supreme Court of Canada – Canada’s highest court and the final general court of appeal.
- Federal Court – Canada's national trial court, it hears and decides legal disputes in areas of federal jurisdiction.
- Federal Court of Appeal – hears appeals from the Federal Court.
- Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada – hears appeals from military courts, known as courts martial.
- Tax Court of Canada – hears appeals primarily related to income tax, the goods and services tax and employment insurance.
- Courts Administration Service – provides administrative services to the Federal Court, the Federal Court of Appeal, the Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada and the Tax Court of Canada.
Provincial Courts
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
- Nunavut
- Northwest Territories
Administrative Tribunals – federal and provincial agencies that exercise some form of quasi-judicial decision making. Mandates and responsibilities include human rights and freedoms, economic regulatory matters, socioeconomic matters and appeals.
Guide to Canadian Legal Information– answers to some questions about federal laws and regulations.
Justice Statistics
- Statistics Canada – statistics on crime and justice.
- Free Internet Publications (Statistics Canada) – an index of free statistical reports on various topics and types of crime, such as organized crime, cyber-crime, hate crime, and victim services.
Public Legal Education and Information
These organizations provide citizens with legal information to make informed decisions and participate effectively in the justice system. These organizations do not give "legal advice"; they provide information or referrals about various aspects of the law; for example, new legislation; child support guidelines; rights of victims; family violence; or youth justice.
- Funding Support (Department of Justice)
- Public Legal Education Network of Alberta - Telephone: (403) 343-3712
- The People's Law School (British Columbia)
- Community Legal Education Association (Manitoba)
- Public Legal Education and Information Service of New Brunswick
- Public Legal Information Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
- Legal Services Board of the Northwest Territories
- Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia
- Community Legal Education Ontario
- Community Legal Information Association of Prince Edward Island
- Éducaloi (Quebec)
- Public Legal Education Association of Saskatchewan
- Yukon Public Legal Education Association
Canadian Legal Information Institute – 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.
Law Organizations
- Canadian Bar Association (CBA) – represents lawyers, judges, notaries, law teachers, and law students from across Canada.
- Provincial branches of the CBA
- Federation of Law Societies of Canada – umbrella organization of the fourteen Law Societies in Canada that govern legal professionals.
- Barreau du Quebec – the professional association for lawyers in Quebec.
Law Enforcement
Public Safety Canada – works in close collaboration with federal, provincial, territorial and international law enforcement and border security agencies to develop appropriate national policies for new and evolving crime and border issues. Its portfolio includes:
Provincial Police
- Ontario Provincial Police
- Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
- Sûreté du Québec
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police detachments (all other provinces)
Canadian Police Associations
Lawyer Referral Services
Alberta
British Columbia
Manitoba
- Community Legal Education Association (Law Phone-In and Lawyer Referral Service)
New Brunswick
- New Brunswick does not have a lawyer referral service. To find a lawyer in New Brunswick, please look under "lawyers" in the yellow pages of your telephone book.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Northwest Territories
Nova Scotia
Nunavut
Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Quebec
- Barreau du Québec
(available only in French)
Saskatchewan
- Saskatchewan does not have a lawyer referral service. To find a lawyer in Saskatchewan, please look under "lawyers" in the yellow pages of your telephone book
Yukon
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