Supreme Court of Canada

The Supreme Court of Canada is Canada's highest court and is located in the capital city of Ottawa. It is now the final court of appeal, the last judicial resort for all litigants, whether individual or governmental. Its jurisdiction embraces both the civil law of the province of Quebec and the common law of the other provinces and territories. When handling Quebec civil law cases the court is careful to have them reviewed by the three civil law judges that are always on the court.

Other functions

If the Governor General dies or leaves the country for more than one month, the Chief Justice of Canada (or, if that position is vacant, the senior Puisne Justice) serves as Administrator of Canada, and exercises all powers of the Governor General. The only individuals to serve as Administrators due to the deaths of Governors General were Chief Justice Sir Lyman Poore Duff (1940) and Chief Justice Robert Taschereau (1967). The current Chief Justice, Beverley McLachlin, began serving as Administrator on 8 July 2005, when Governor General Adrienne Clarkson was hospitalized for pacemaker surgery, but has now relinquised that power since the Governor General's health has improved.

Related Topics:
Chief Justice of Canada - Sir Lyman Poore Duff - 1940 - Robert Taschereau - 1967 - Beverley McLachlin - 8 July - 2005 - Governor General - Adrienne Clarkson

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Today, members of the Supreme Court will also frequently grant royal assent to legislation passed by the Canadian House of Commons and Senate, in their capacity as acting represenatives of Crown power.

Related Topics:
Royal assent - Legislation - House of Commons - Senate - Crown

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