8/26/2023 0 Comments Martial law coming to canada![]() In the absence of a governor general, The Right Honourable Richard Wagner was sworn in as the administrator of the Government of Canada. On January 23, 2021, Canada’s Chief Justice was called upon to fulfill a unique constitutional duty. The first judgment to bear the new badge was the reference on the constitutionality of the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act.Ī Constitutional Duty The Administrator of the Government of Canada ![]() The flag is raised on the eastern flagpole closest to Parliament every time the Court meets to hear an appeal. “These new emblems express the values of our institution: justice, independence, integrity, transparency and bilingualism,” said the Chief Justice. Up until 2021, the Court’s decisions bore the Canada Coat of Arms, which is also used by the executive and legislative branches of government. Rich with symbolism, they communicate the Court’s role and traditions, as well as the principle of judicial independence, which is fundamental to upholding Canada’s democratic values and the rule of law.Ĭhief Herald Khalid explained how the badge, designed by his predecessor Ms. Claire Boudreau, tells the story of the Court’s “past, present and future with poise and elegance.” It also bears the Court’s chosen motto “ Justitia et Veritas”, or Justice and Truth, which are the names of the two allegorical statues that stand vigil outside the building. Minutes earlier, inside the courtroom and webcast live for the public, Canada’s Chief Herald Samy Khalid had formally proclaimed the Letters Patent for the flag and a badge, which is similar to a coat of arms. While impossible for photographers to spot under his face mask, the Chief Justice could not stop smiling. Chief Justice Richard Wagner had the honour of being the first to raise the bright red, white and gold flag. March 15th 2021 was sunny and blustery – perfect conditions for unfurling one of the Supreme Court of Canada’s new heraldic emblems. The Supreme Court of Canada is also active on the world stage as a respected member of international court organizations such as the World Conference on Constitutional Justice, Association of Francophone Constitutional Courts and International Association of Supreme Administrative Jurisdictions. In the spring of 2021, the Supreme Court issued a judgment on multiple provincial references that had asked if the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act was constitutional. These requests are called a reference and they typically ask if a piece of legislation is constitutional. Sometimes federal, provincial and territorial governments ask the Supreme Court for an advisory opinion on a proposed or existing law. Members of the Court will only hear cases they consider to be of national significance, with the exception of automatic appeals of criminal cases where lower appeal court judges have disagreed on a point of law. Judges hear arguments about important legal issues and question the lawyers. There are no trials or juries at the Supreme Court. Cases most often come from provincial and territorial courts of appeal, the Federal Court of Appeal and the Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada. It is also bijural, which means it applies the law in Canada’s two distinct legal traditions – Quebec civil law and common law. ![]() The Court hears and decides cases in French and English. Judges answer a wide variety of important questions - from child support and corporate restructuring, to treaty and constitutional rights. ![]() Together, the Court’s nine judges provide guidance on Canada’s laws and work hard to ensure all people have equal protection and benefit of the law.Īs Canada’s final court of appeal, the Supreme Court has jurisdiction over disputes in every area of the law. Judges are selected in a transparent process where a non-partisan advisory board recommends candidates of the highest quality to the Prime Minister. It is the guardian of the Constitution and Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Canadians can have confidence that the Supreme Court of Canada is impartial and independent.
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