Preface

• Author: Patrick J. Monahan, Byron Shaw
• Pages: 19-19

xix

PR EFAC E

This is the fourth edition of Constitutional L aw. The f‌irst three editions

were written by Professor Monahan. Prior to commencing work on a

further revi sion, Professor Monahan invited Mr. Byron Shaw to join

him as a co-author. This fourth edition is our joint project.

The fourth edition represents a signi f‌icant update of the third ed i-

tion, published f‌ive years ago. During this period, the Supreme Court

of Canada has continued to develop the jurisprudence in all areas of

constitutional law, particularly the Canadian Charter of Rights and Free-

doms, as well as the law of federali sm and Aboriginal rights. All sign if‌i-

cant developments as of 30 June 2012 have been incorporated into this

edition.

We have appended the complete text of the Canadian Constitution,

including explanator y footnotes as consolidated by the federal Depa rt-

ment of Justice. We expect that this wi ll continue to serve as a usef ul

reference tool for lawyers and students.

As with earlier ed itions of this book, our aim i s to provide lawyers,

academics, and law students w ith a general introduction to, and over-

view of, the basic elements of the Can adian Constitution. We have

also attempted to discus s issues in suff‌icient detail such that the book

will be of value to law yers who encounter constitutional issues in their

daily practice.

Patrick J. Monahan

Byron Shaw

October 2012