Mr. Aldunate
Chapter 1: Changes to the Law (pp.14-27)
Change as a Result of Individual Action
Challenging Laws in Court
1. Explain how the Charter can be used to change laws in Canada?
2. How was Dr. Morgentaler able to use the courts to change the abortion law in Canada?
3. a. What disease did Sue Rodriquez have?
b. Why did she need some one to help her commit suicide?
4. Fill in the blanks:
According to s. 241 of the Criminal Code: Every one who
(a) _______________ a person to commit suicide or
(b) _______________________________________, whether suicide ensues or not, is guilty of an
__________________________________________________________________ for a term not exceeding
_______________________________
5. What Did Sue Rodriguez want the British Columbia Supreme Court to do? On what grounds?
6. Explain why the Supreme Court of Canada refused to strike down the law that prohibited assisted suicide. Do you
agree with this decision? Why or why not?
7. How were the avenues of change used by Mandela and Riel different from those used by Morgentaler, Rodriguez,
and Sauve?
8. Read “Turning Points in the Law” The Introduction of Medicare on pp19-20 and answer Q# 1 and 2.
Change as a result of Collective action
1. a. Explain the role of consensus building in changing laws.
b. Give four ways that people can work together to change laws.
2. Do you agree that lobby groups are the most effective form of collective action for changing the law? Explain your
reasoning, giving examples.
3. What is a royal commission?
4. What was the Krever Commission? What did Judge Krever conclude?
5. How has legal scholarship helped feminist issues?
6. a. Political demonstrations are protected under which right?
b. What are the two things to note about protest rallies?
7. Give your opinion on the advantages and disadvantages of civil disobedience as a method of trying to effect legal
change.
8. Read the case study: Battered Women’s Syndrome R v Lavallee and answer questions 1-3 p.26