Chapter 8 of 11 · study notes
The Justice System
This chapter explains the basic ideas behind Canada's laws, the courts, the police and where to get legal help. Key topics include the presumption of innocence, due process, the highest court in Canada and the role of the RCMP.
Key ideas of Canadian justice
Canada's justice system promises due process under the law to every person.
In criminal cases, a person is presumed innocent: everyone is treated as innocent until they are proven guilty.
Canada's legal system builds on a heritage that includes four ideas: due process, democratic principles, the rule of law, and freedom under the law.
Due process means the government must respect all the legal rights a person has under the law.
Laws are written rules meant to guide people in society. Elected representatives make them.
Courts settle disputes, and police enforce the laws.
Canadian law applies to every person, including judges, politicians and police officers.
Laws exist to keep order in society, to give people a peaceful way to settle disagreements, and to express what Canadians value and believe.
Courts
The Supreme Court of Canada is the highest court in the country.
The Federal Court of Canada handles matters that involve the federal government.
There are also provincial courts for less serious offences, plus family courts, traffic courts, and small claims courts for civil cases about small amounts of money.
Police
The job of the police is to keep people safe and enforce the law.
You can ask the police for help in many situations, for example after an accident or a theft, if you are assaulted, if you see a crime happening, or if someone you know goes missing.
Ontario and Quebec have their own provincial police forces, and every province has municipal police departments.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) enforce federal laws across Canada. They are also the provincial police in every province and territory except Ontario and Quebec, and the police in some municipalities.
If you are unhappy with how the police served you or behaved, you can question them. Almost every police force in Canada has a process for raising concerns and asking for action.
Getting legal help
A lawyer can help you with legal problems and can represent you in court.
If you cannot afford a lawyer, most communities offer legal aid for free or at a low cost.
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