Canadian Constitutional
Public and International
Law Resources

Welcome to the Kiani Law Legal Resources Centre.This section provides accessible legal information, commentary and analysis on important issues in Canadian constitutional law, Charter rights, administrative and public law, Indigenous and treaty rights, international law, and decisions of the Supreme Court of Canada.The purpose of this resource centre is to help readers better understand significant legal principles, constitutional provisions, court decisions and developments that shape Canadian public law and Canada's relationship with the international legal system.The materials published here are based on legislation, judicial decisions, treaties and other authoritative legal sources. Where appropriate, articles provide links to official government publications, courts and recognized legal databases so readers can consult the underlying legal materials.

Welcome to the Kiani Law Legal Resources Centre.

Canadian Constitutional Law

  • Canada's constitutional framework establishes the institutions of government, distributes legislative authority between Parliament and the provinces, protects fundamental rights and freedoms, and establishes principles governing the exercise of public power.
  • Explore resources concerning Canada's constitutional structure, the Constitution Acts, division of powers and constitutional remedies.

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

  • An introduction to the Charter, the rights and freedoms it protects, its application to government action and the remedies that may be available when Charter rights are infringed.

Constitution Act, 1867

  • Explore the constitutional framework that established Canada's federal system and allocated legislative authority between Parliament and the provincial legislatures.

Constitution Act, 1982

  • Learn about the constitutional changes introduced in 1982, including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Aboriginal and treaty rights, constitutional amendment procedures and the supremacy of the Constitution.

Federal vs. Provincial Powers

  • Understand how legislative authority is divided between Canada's federal Parliament and provincial legislatures and how courts address disputes involving overlapping jurisdiction.

Constitutional Remedies

  • Learn about the remedies courts may consider when legislation or government action is inconsistent with Canada's Constitution.

Charter Rights

  • The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms forms Part I of the Constitution Act, 1982. It protects a broad range of rights and freedoms and applies to Parliament and the federal government as well as provincial legislatures and governments within their respective areas of authority.
  • This section examines significant Charter provisions and related constitutional protections.

Section 1 – Reasonable Limits

  • Learn how courts determine whether a limitation on a Charter right can be justified in a free and democratic society.

Section 2 – Fundamental Freedoms

  • Explore freedom of conscience and religion, freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, freedom of peaceful assembly, and freedom of association.

Section 7 – Life, Liberty and Security of the Person

  • Learn about the protection of life, liberty and security of the person and the principles of fundamental justice.

Section 8 – Search and Seizure

  • Explore the constitutional protection against unreasonable search or seizure.

Section 15 – Equality Rights

  • Learn about the Charter's equality guarantee and constitutional protections against discrimination.

Section 24 – Charter Remedies

  • Explore the remedies that may be available where a person's Charter rights or freedoms have been infringed or denied.