Introduction

• Author: Hon. Robert J. Sharpe/Kent Roach
• Profession: Court of Appeal for Ontario- Faculty of Law University of Toronto
• Pages: 1-3

INTRODUCTION

The amendment of the Canadian constit ution in 1982 to include the

Charter of Rights and Freedoms brought about a fundamental change

in Canadian l aw and politics.1 The Charter significantly increased the

law-making power of Canadian courts. Decisions on many important

public issues, formerly withi n the exclusive authority of Parliament and

the provincial leg islatures, are now subject to judicial review. Charter

litigation has become an import ant tool used by interest groups to ad-

vance their political ends. Canadian court s now play a central role in

deciding how the law should deal with s uch intractable issues a s abor-

tion,2 mandatory retirement,3 the legitimacy of l aws restricting por-

nography4 and hate propaganda,5 the definition of what may properly

constitute a criminal offence6 and the treatment accorded minorities

such as gays and lesbians.7

1Canadian Char ter of Rights and Freedoms, Part I of the Constitution Act, 1982, be-

ing Schedule B to the Canada Act 1982, (U.K.), 1982, c. 11 [Charter].

2R.v. Morg en tal er, [1988] 1 S.C.R. 30, 44 D.L.R. (4th) 385.

3McKinneyv. University of Guelph, [1990] 3 S.C.R. 229, 76 D.L.R. (4th) 545; Stoff-

man v. Vancouver General Hospital, [1990] 3 S.C.R. 483, 76 D.L.R. (4th) 700.

4R.v. But ler, [1992] 1 S.C.R. 452, 70 C.C.C. (3d) 129; R.v. Sharpe, [2001] 1 S.C.R.

45, 194 D.L.R. (4th) 1.

5R.v. Keegstra, [1990] 3 S.C.R. 697, 61 C.C.C. (3d) 1.

6R.v. Vaill ancou rt, [1987] 2 S.C.R. 636, 47 D.L.R. (4th) 399.

7Vrie nd v. Alberta , [1998] 1 S.C.R. 493, 156 D.L.R. (4th) 385; M.v. H., [1999] 2

S.C.R. 3, 177 D.L.R. (4th) 577; Little Sisters Book and Art Empor ium v. Canada,

[2000] 2 S.C.R. 1120, 193 D.L.R. (4th) 193; Halpern v. Canada (Attorney General)

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