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Canadian Law: A History

The vast self-governing dominion created in 1867, with umbilical ties to the British still ongoing, Canada's legal history is rich, state-of-the-art model of freedom and democracy. But as with anything cutting edge, progress has been steady yet slow. These articles bring you to the significant moments of law-making or law-shaping, raw and uncensored.

last updated: Monday, May 25, 2009

A Supreme Court for Canada: Act One (1869)

Achieving an independent supreme court was like taking a bone from a sleeping dog's mouth. Finally, in 1869, Canada saw its chance and tugged....

last updated: Thursday, April 10, 2008

A Supreme Court; Act II (1949)

Time had come to sever the umbilical cord.

last updated: Wednesday, September 12, 2007

A Woman Law-maker (1922)

"She will vindicate the confidence that the last Parliament has reposed in her sex."

last updated: Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Canada's Criminal Code: A History

Canada's criminal law is rooted in the common law of England. The public policy advantages of codification began at the end of the 18th century in England where, in the words of Canadian Federal Court judge Allen Linden, criminal law had evolved into "a bottomless pit of complex case law, petty, anachronistic offences and harsh punishments."

last updated: Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1981)

Finally, in 1982, Canada cut the second last umbilical chord with Great Britain (the last being the Monarchy which continues ...), repatriated the Constitution and wheeled out an all-powerful, made-in-Canada charter of human rights and basic freedomws ... shaking every nook and cranny of Canadian law.

last updated: Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Chinaman: Racism In Law (1914)

Canada's last sputtering of racist laws.

last updated: Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Communists! (1941)

Keeping "very bad" company.

last updated: Wednesday, September 12, 2007

The Divorce Blockade (1960)

Difficult divorce: Mrs. Jacqueline Mazurette, to be Ms at a price.

last updated: Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Lescarbot, Marc 1570-1641

French lawyer and New World explorer.

last updated: Monday, May 25, 2009

Louis Riel Outlawed! (1872)

Louis Riel's flair for the dramatic.

last updated: Wednesday, September 12, 2007

"Make Them All Homos" (1968)

Of "homos" and government and a good dose of utter nonsense.

last updated: Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Organized Labour Loses a Battle (1932)

As Canada struggles with organized labour, Canada's chief law-maker, the prime minister, inherits the description "Mussolini is but a child".

last updated: Wednesday, September 12, 2007

The Attack on the Orange Order (1884)

The Free-Masons break up a snowy winter.

last updated: Wednesday, September 12, 2007

The Birth of Income Tax (1917)

A temporary income tax? Wanna buy a bridge?

last updated: Wednesday, September 12, 2007

The Charlottetown Accord (1992)

A bitter personal struggle underscores nation building.

last updated: Wednesday, September 12, 2007

The Constitution Comes Home (1980)

A little pain for a lot of gain.

last updated: Wednesday, September 12, 2007

The English-French "Thing" Comes To A Head (1886)

Oh, yeah! Bring it on brother! Laurier flaps his marvelous French-Canadian wings.

last updated: Thursday, September 13, 2007

The Grave Constitutional Question (1896)

That whole "discretion .... valour" thing never comes easy for a political appointee, especially one blessed "majestically".

last updated: Wednesday, September 12, 2007

The Jesuits Estates (1889)

Jesuits Estates - a dynamite issue.

last updated: Wednesday, September 12, 2007

The Litigation Craze

A litigation craze hit quiet Ottawa.

last updated: Wednesday, August 20, 2008

The Quebec Civil Law Kerfuffle (1763-1774)

What was England thinking when, in 1763, they tried to impose English common law on the proud but defeated French population of Quebec?

last updated: Wednesday, March 25, 2009

The War "Referendum" (1941)

Not necessarily conscription, but conscription if necessary.

last updated: Wednesday, September 12, 2007

The Washington Treaty (1871)

Precursor of international law - Canada-USA varietry, circa 1871, aka the great reciprocity debate.

last updated: Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Trial By M.P. (1906)

Cinq-Mars = Tete-a-claque.

last updated: Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Women Suffrage - Act I

An MP proves the contrary point the minute he opens his mouth.

last updated: Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Women's Suffrage; Act Two (1895)

The exclusive club of male legislators still believed what their forefathers had taught them and also, perhaps, that the earth was flat.

last updated: Sunday, December 30, 2007

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Unless otherwise noted, this article was written by Lloyd Duhaime, Barrister, Solicitor, Attorney and Lawyer (and Notary Public!). It is not intended to be legal advice and you would be foolhardy to rely on it in respect to any specific situation you or an acquaintance may be facing. In addition, the law changes rapidly and sometimes with little notice so from time to time, an article may not be up to date. Therefore, this is merely legal information designed to educate the reader. If you have a real situation, this information will serve as a good springboard to get legal advice from a lawyer.

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