Supreme Court of Canada

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July 14, 2026

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The Supreme Court of Canada is the highest court in the country, with the federal Parliament having jurisdiction over criminal law and procedure. Provincial courts handle most civil and criminal cases, and appeals can be made to the Supreme Court of Canada. Since 1982, the Supreme Court's interpretative role has grown significantly due to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms being incorporated into the constitution. Judges are appointed by the governor-general in council and serve until age 75.1

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campaign finance
…to its American counterpart, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in such landmark cases as Libman v. Quebec (1997) and Harper v. Canada (2004) that restrictions could be implemented not only to prevent the undue influence of donors on officeholders’ decisions but also to counteract the capacity of affluent members…
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…to its American counterpart, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in such landmark cases as Libman v. Quebec (1997) and Harper v. Canada (2004) that restrictions could be implemented not only to prevent the undue influence of donors on officeholders’ decisions but also to counteract the capacity of affluent members…
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Sir William Buell Richards
…its operations; and, when the Supreme Court of Canada was formed in 1875, he was named its first chief justice, serving until his retirement in 1879. He became a staunch defender of the young court, helping to establish its rules of order, its procedures, and its jurisdiction. He was knighted…
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…its operations; and, when the Supreme Court of Canada was formed in 1875, he was named its first chief justice, serving until his retirement in 1879. He became a staunch defender of the young court, helping to establish its rules of order, its procedures, and its jurisdiction. He was knighted…
Read More

Beverley McLachlin
…became a justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, and in 2000 she was named chief justice. McLachlin brought to the bench skills as an able administrator as well as a fluency in both English and French (Canada’s two official languages), and she was praised by her fellow justices for…
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…became a justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, and in 2000 she was named chief justice. McLachlin brought to the bench skills as an able administrator as well as a fluency in both English and French (Canada’s two official languages), and she was praised by her fellow justices for…
Read More