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.
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....
Time had come to sever the umbilical cord.
"She will vindicate the confidence that the last Parliament has reposed in her sex."
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."
Keeping "very bad" company.
Difficult divorce: Mrs. Jacqueline Mazurette, to be Ms at a price.
Louis Riel's flair for the dramatic.
Of "homos" and government and a good dose of utter nonsense.
As Canada struggles with organized labour, Canada's chief law-maker, the prime minister, inherits the description "Mussolini is but a child".
The Free-Masons break up a snowy winter.
A temporary income tax? Wanna buy a bridge?
A bitter personal struggle underscores nation building.
A little pain for a lot of gain.
Oh, yeah! Bring it on brother! Laurier flaps his marvelous French-Canadian wings.
That whole "discretion .... valour" thing never comes easy for a political appointee, especially one blessed "majestically".
Jesuits Estates - a dynamite issue.
A litigation craze hit quiet Ottawa.
Not necessarily conscription, but conscription if necessary.
Precursor of international law - Canada-USA varietry, circa 1871, aka the great reciprocity debate.
Cinq-Mars = Tete-a-claque.
An MP proves the contrary point the minute he opens his mouth.
The exclusive club of male legislators still believed what their forefathers had taught them and also, perhaps, that the earth was flat.