CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 231.3 – s. 2
SYLLABUS
(2015)
Instructor: Mark Carter, Office: 109 (in the library, on the mezzanine)
Office Phone: 966-5895
Email: mark.carter@usask.ca
-The case book for this class will be The Constitutional Law Group, Canadian Constitutional Law, (4th
Edition, 2010). Any readings that are not in the text - including the supplement to the text – will be
available on the Blackboard site for this course.
-Copies of the Constitution Act, 1982, and the Constitution Act, 1867 are also available on the
Blackboard site for this course.
Classes 1-3
BASIC CONCEPTS
A. GENERAL ISSUES
1. Overview of the Constitution: pp. 3-5
2. Pre-Contact, Contact, and the Myth of Terra Nullus: pp. 63-66
3. Confederation:-The Quebec Secession Reference: pp. 11-17 (paragraphs 1-2, 32-48)
4. Basic Features of the Constitution (patriation, supremacy, entrenchment); Sources of
Canadian Constitutional law; Functions of a Constitution: pp. 5-11; Also see Constitution Act,
1982, ss. 52, 27, 35.
- The Quebec Secession Reference: pp. 17-25
B. JUDICIAL REVIEW AND CONSTITUTIONAL INTERPRETATION
1. Judicial Review and the Legitimacy Issue
-British Columbia v. Imperial Tobacco Canada Ltd.: pp. 29-35
2. Constitutional Interpretation
-Elliot, “Organizing Principles of Canada’s Constitution”: pp. 40-43
C. HOW DO CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES GET TO COURT? pp. 54-60.
Class 4
DIVISION OF POWERS — BASIC STRUCTURE and DOCTRINES
GENERNAL POINTS about FEDERALISM and its HISTORIC DEVELOPMENT: pp. 154-158; Constitution
Act, 1867, ss. 91-95, 101, 132.
Interpreting the Division of Powers
I.
Validity: Characterization of Law
A. Pith and Substance Doctrine
-K. Swinton, “The Supreme Court and Canadian Federalism: The Laskin Dickson Years:
pp. 207-210
-R. v. Morgentaler: 215-224
Class 5
B. Double Aspect Doctrine
-B. Lederman, “Classification of Laws and the BNA Act”, pp. 235-237
-Multiple Access Ltd. V. McCutcheon: pp. 237-240.
Class 6
C. Necessarily Incidental –p. 241
-General Motors v. National Leasing: pp. 242-246.
-Notes: pp. 246-247
- Quebec (A.G.) v. Lacombe – Supplement pp. 28-32.
III.
-
IV.
-
Class 7
Applicability: The Interjurisdictional Immunity Doctrine: pp. 249-250
Canadian Western Bank v. Alberta 264-271
Quebec (A.G.) v. Canadian Owners and Pilots Association – Supplement pp. 33-37 (to paragraph
60)
Class 8
The possibility of Provincial Interjurisdictional Immunity
Canada (A.G) v. PHS Community Services Society – Supplement pp. 30-43 (to paragraph 70)
Carter v. Canada - Blackboard
Operability: The Paramountcy Doctrine: pp. 272-273
Ross v. Registrar of Motor Vehicles: pp. 273-277
Multiple Access Ltd. : pp. 277-281
Notes: pp. 281-282
Bank of Montreal v. Hall: pp. 282-286
Class 9
-
Notes: pp.286-288
Rothmans, Benson &Hedges Inc. v. Saskatchewan: pp. 289-292
Notes: pp. 293-294
Quebec (A.G.) v. Canadian Owners and Pilots Association – Supplement pp. 37-38 (“Federal
Paramountcy” paras 63-74)
Class 10
DIVISION OF POWERS IN SPECIFIC AREAS OF JURISDICTION
Peace, Order, and Good Government (POGG)
I.
The Emergency Doctrine
- Note on the Historical Development of the POGG power: pp. 295-298
- Reference re Anti-Inflation Act: pp. 303-310 (reasons of Chief Justice Laskin)
II.
National Concern
- R. v. Crown Zellerbach Canada Ltd. : pp. 323-329 (reasons of Le Dain J.)
Class 11
Aboriginal People and Federalism
Note: At this point we are only considering the implications of the division of legislative authority for
Aboriginal peoples. More time will be spent on the subject of Aboriginal People end the Constitution,
including Aboriginal rights, during term two, when we concentrate on the recognition and protection of
rights under the Constitution.
Distribution of Legislative Authority: 641
- Delgamuukw v. British Columbia, 642-645
- Tsilhqot’in Nation v British Columbia, 2014 SCC 44 (excerpt on Blackboard)
Class 12
Economic Regulation
Prelude: Citizens Insurance Company v Parsons 97-103
I.
II.
III.
The Constitution and the Economy: p. 349
- Note: The Extent of Internal Trade Barriers: pp. 352-353.
- Canadian Egg Marketing Agency v. Richardson: pp. 353-356
Provincial Powers Over Economic Regulation: General Principles: p. 356
- Carnation Co. Ltd. V. Quebec Agricultural Marketing Board: pp. 356-360
Class 13
Federal Powers Over Economic Regulation: p. 381
A. Regulation of Interprovincial and International Trade
The Queen v. Klassen: pp. 382-384
Notes: pp. 384-385
Laskin, “Note on Queen v. Klassen”: pp385-386
Caloil Inc. v. AG Canada: pp. 387
Swinton excerpt: p. 388
Class 15
B. General Regulation of Trade
-
Swinton excerpt: pp. 390-392
General Motors v. National Leasing: pp. 396-406
Reference Re Securities Act (supplement, pp 52-60)
Class 16
Criminal Law
I.
Federal Powers over Criminal Law: pp. 421-422
Proprietary Articles Trade Association v. A.G. Canada: pp. 159-161
Margarine Reference: pp. 422-423
Notes: pp. 423-425
RJR Macdonald Inc. v. Canada: pp. 425-432
Class 17
-
R v Hydro Quebec: pp. 433-443
Note: Reference Re Firearms Act (Can.): pp. 445-447
Class 18
-
Reference Re Assisted Human Reproduction Act [supplement – McLachlin CJ.’s reasons, pp 3638 (paras 6-18), pp 40-44 (paras 34-77); LeBel and Deschamps JJ’s reasons, pp 54-59 (paras 194281), Cromwell J.’s reasons, pp 59-61 (paras 282-294)]
Class 19
II.
-
Provincial Power to Regulate Morality and Public Order: pp. 451-452
- Re Nova Scotia Board of Censors v McNeil: pp. 452455
- Notes: 455-456
- Westendorp v. The Queen: pp. 456-458
- Notes (including Rio Hotel Ltd. V. New Brunsiwck): pp. 458-461