SCC · CSC
Supreme Court of Canada
Canada's apex court. Final court of appeal for all of Canada — civil, criminal, constitutional. Sits in Ottawa. Hears about 80 appeals per year, mostly by leave (matters of public importance). Three of nine seats reserved by statute for Quebec. Founded 1875; appeals to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London were abolished in 1949.
Jurisdiction
All of Canada
Founded
1875
Composition
9 judges; 3 reserved for Quebec
Notable Chief Justices
- Wagner CJ (2017–present)
- McLachlin CJ (2000–2017)
- Lamer CJ (1990–2000)
- Dickson CJ (1984–1990)
- Laskin CJ (1973–1984)
Hears appeals from
- • Provincial / territorial Courts of Appeal (by leave or, for some criminal matters, by right)
- • Federal Court of Appeal (by leave)
- • Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada (by leave)
Decisions in library
3,412 SCC · CSC decisions
R v Stairs
landmark[2022] 1 SCR 169
Supreme Court of Canada· 2022· Criminal
R v Sharma
landmark[2022] 3 SCR 1
Supreme Court of Canada· 2022· Criminal
R v Brown
landmark[2022] 1 SCR 506
Supreme Court of Canada· 2022· Criminal
R v Beaver
landmark[2022] 1 SCR 743
Supreme Court of Canada· 2022· Criminal
References re Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act
landmark[2021] 1 SCR 175
Supreme Court of Canada· 2021· Federalism
R v Khill
landmark[2021] 3 SCR 8
Supreme Court of Canada· 2021· Criminal
R v Friesen
landmark[2020] 1 SCR 424
Supreme Court of Canada· 2020· Criminal
Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique v British Columbia
landmark[2020] 1 SCR 678
Supreme Court of Canada· 2020· Constitutional
Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) v Vavilov
landmark[2019] 4 SCR 653
Supreme Court of Canada· 2019· Administrative
R v Le
landmark[2019] 2 SCR 692
Supreme Court of Canada· 2019· Charter
Reference re Securities Act 2018
landmark2018 SCC 48
Supreme Court of Canada· 2018· Federalism
R v Comeau
landmark[2018] 1 SCR 342
Supreme Court of Canada· 2018· Federalism
Trinity Western University v Law Society of Upper Canada
landmark[2018] 2 SCR 453
Supreme Court of Canada· 2018· Charter
R v Cody
landmark[2017] 1 SCR 659
Supreme Court of Canada· 2017· Criminal
R v Bradshaw
landmark[2017] 1 SCR 865
Supreme Court of Canada· 2017· Evidence
R v Jordan
landmark[2016] 1 SCR 631
Supreme Court of Canada· 2016· Criminal
Daniels v Canada (Indian Affairs and Northern Development)
landmark[2016] 1 SCR 99
Supreme Court of Canada· 2016· Aboriginal/Indigenous
Loyola High School v Quebec (Attorney General)
landmark[2015] 1 SCR 613
Supreme Court of Canada· 2015· Charter
Mounted Police Association of Ontario v Canada (Attorney General)
landmark[2015] 1 SCR 3
Supreme Court of Canada· 2015· Charter
Saskatchewan Federation of Labour v Saskatchewan
landmark[2015] 1 SCR 245
Supreme Court of Canada· 2015· Charter
Carter v Canada (Attorney General)
landmark[2015] 1 SCR 331
Supreme Court of Canada· 2015· Charter
R v Hart
landmark[2014] 2 SCR 544
Supreme Court of Canada· 2014· Criminal
Sattva Capital Corp v Creston Moly Corp
landmark[2014] 2 SCR 633
Supreme Court of Canada· 2014· Contract
Bhasin v Hrynew
landmark[2014] 3 SCR 494
Supreme Court of Canada· 2014· Contract
R v Conception
landmark[2014] 3 SCR 82
Supreme Court of Canada· 2014· Criminal
Reference re Senate Reform
landmark[2014] 1 SCR 704
Supreme Court of Canada· 2014· Federalism
Tsilhqot'in Nation v British Columbia
landmark[2014] 2 SCR 257
Supreme Court of Canada· 2014· Aboriginal/Indigenous
Canada (Attorney General) v Bedford
landmark[2013] 3 SCR 1101
Supreme Court of Canada· 2013· Charter
Quebec (Attorney General) v A
landmark[2013] 1 SCR 61
Quebec civil law· 2013· Quebec civil law
R v Ipeelee
landmark[2012] 1 SCR 433
Supreme Court of Canada· 2012· Criminal
R v NS
landmark[2012] 3 SCR 726
Supreme Court of Canada· 2012· Charter
Doré v Barreau du Québec
landmark[2012] 1 SCR 395
Supreme Court of Canada· 2012· Administrative
Kerr v Baranow
landmark[2011] 1 SCR 269
Supreme Court of Canada· 2011· Property
R v JA
landmark[2011] 2 SCR 440
Supreme Court of Canada· 2011· Criminal
Reference re Securities Act
landmark[2011] 3 SCR 837
Supreme Court of Canada· 2011· Federalism
Tercon Contractors Ltd v British Columbia (Transportation and Highways)
landmark[2010] 1 SCR 69
Supreme Court of Canada· 2010· Contract
R v Grant
landmark[2009] 2 SCR 353
Supreme Court of Canada· 2009· Criminal
Dunsmuir v New Brunswick
landmark[2008] 1 SCR 190
Supreme Court of Canada· 2008· Administrative
BCE Inc v 1976 Debentureholders
landmark[2008] 3 SCR 560
Supreme Court of Canada· 2008· Corporate
Honda Canada Inc v Keays
landmark[2008] 2 SCR 362
Supreme Court of Canada· 2008· Contract
Mustapha v Culligan of Canada Ltd
landmark[2008] 2 SCR 114
Supreme Court of Canada· 2008· Tort
Resurfice Corp v Hanke
landmark[2007] 1 SCR 333
Supreme Court of Canada· 2007· Tort
Hill v Hamilton-Wentworth Regional Police Services Board
landmark[2007] 3 SCR 129
Supreme Court of Canada· 2007· Tort
Childs v Desormeaux
landmark[2006] 1 SCR 643
Supreme Court of Canada· 2006· Tort
Multani v Commission scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys
landmark[2006] 1 SCR 256
Supreme Court of Canada· 2006· Charter
R v Khelawon
landmark[2006] 2 SCR 787
Supreme Court of Canada· 2006· Evidence
Reference re Same-Sex Marriage
landmark[2004] 3 SCR 698
Supreme Court of Canada· 2004· Constitutional
Haida Nation v British Columbia (Minister of Forests)
landmark[2004] 3 SCR 511
Supreme Court of Canada· 2004· Aboriginal/Indigenous
R v Mann
landmark[2004] 3 SCR 59
Supreme Court of Canada· 2004· Criminal
R v Powley
landmark[2003] 2 SCR 207
Supreme Court of Canada· 2003· Aboriginal/Indigenous
Suresh v Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration)
landmark[2002] 1 SCR 3
Supreme Court of Canada· 2002· Charter
R v Sharpe
landmark[2001] 1 SCR 45
Supreme Court of Canada· 2001· Charter
Cooper v Hobart
landmark[2001] 3 SCR 537
Supreme Court of Canada· 2001· Tort
R v Gladue
landmark[1999] 1 SCR 688
Supreme Court of Canada· 1999· Criminal
Baker v Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration)
landmark[1999] 2 SCR 817
Supreme Court of Canada· 1999· Administrative
R v Marshall
landmark[1999] 3 SCR 456
Supreme Court of Canada· 1999· Aboriginal/Indigenous
R v Ewanchuk
landmark[1999] 1 SCR 330
Supreme Court of Canada· 1999· Criminal
Reference re Secession of Quebec
landmark[1998] 2 SCR 217
Supreme Court of Canada· 1998· Constitutional
Vriend v Alberta
landmark[1998] 1 SCR 493
Supreme Court of Canada· 1998· Charter
R v Lifchus
landmark[1997] 3 SCR 320
Supreme Court of Canada· 1997· Criminal