Final appellate court for common-law and civil-law appeals alike, and the authoritative interpreter of the Charter. It also answers reference questions put by the federal government.
How the court is constituted
- Tier
- supreme
- Court type
- Apex court for both legal traditions
- Jurisdiction
- National
- Seat
- Ottawa
- Established
- 1875
- Composition
- Chief Justice and eight puisne judges, three from Québec by statute
- Appointment
- Appointed by the Governor in Council following an advisory board process; tenure to 75
Where an appeal goes next
Final
Decisions worth knowing
- R v Oakes1986
Set the proportionality test for limiting Charter rights.
- Reference re Secession of Quebec1998
Unilateral secession would be unconstitutional; negotiation duties arise.
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