List of Supreme Court of Canada cases (McLachlin Court)

Last updated

This is a chronological list of notable cases decided by the Supreme Court of Canada from the appointment of Beverley McLachlin as Chief Justice of Canada to her retirement in 2017.

Contents

2000–2004

Case nameCitationDateSubject
January 7, 2000 - Appointment of Beverley McLachlin as Chief Justice of Canada
Arsenault-Cameron v Prince Edward Island [2000] 1 S.C.R. 3 , 2000 SCC 1January 13, 2000language rights
Reference re Firearms Act [2000] 1 S.C.R. 783 , 2000 SCC 31June 15, 2000Criminal law power
Lovelace v Ontario [2000] 1 S.C.R. 950 , 2000 SCC 37July 20, 2000Aboriginal gaming
R v Oickle [2000] 2 S.C.R. 3 , 2000 SCC 38September 29, 2000Common law rule of confessions
R v Darrach [2000] 2 S.C.R. 443 , 2000 SCC 46October 12, 2000 Rape shield law
R v Morrisey [2000] 2 S.C.R. 90 , 2000 SCC 39September 29, 2000Cruel and unusual punishment
R v Starr [2000] 2 S.C.R. 144 , 2000 SCC 40September 29, 2000Hearsay exception
Blencoe v British Columbia (Human Rights Commission) [2000] 2 S.C.R. 307 , 2000 SCC 44October 5, 2000Human Rights Commission
Free World Trust v Électro Santé Inc [2000] 2 S.C.R. 1024 , 2000 SCC 66December 15, 2000Patent claim construction
Little Sisters Book and Art Emporium v Canada (Minister of Justice) [2000] 2 S.C.R. 1120 , 2000 SCC 69December 15, 2000Obscenity
R v Latimer [2001] 1 S.C.R. 3 , 2001 SCC 1January 18, 2001 Euthanasia
R v Sharpe [2001] 1 S.C.R. 45 , 2001 SCC 2January 26, 2001 Freedom of expression
United States v Burns [2001] 1 S.C.R. 283 , 2001 SCC 7February 15, 2001Extradition, death penalty, section 7, section 12
R v Ruzic [2001] 1 S.C.R. 687 , 2001 SCC 24April 20, 2001Defence of duress
Trinity Western University v British Columbia College of Teachers [2001] 1 S.C.R. 772 , 2001 SCC 31May 17, 2001Religion in schools; judicial review
Mitchell v MNR [2001] 1 S.C.R. 911 , 2001 SCC 33May 24, 2001Aboriginal rights
Therrien (Re) [2001] 2 S.C.R. 3 , 2001 SCC 35June 7, 2001Judicial independence
R v Pan; R v Sawyer [2001] 2 S.C.R. 344 , 2001 SCC 42June 29, 2001Section 7, juries, disclosure
Law Society of British Columbia v Mangat [2001] 3 S.C.R. 113 , 2001 SCC 67October 18, 2001 Paramountcy doctrine; practice of law
R v Advance Cutting & Coring Ltd [2001] 3 SCR 209, 2001 SCC 70October 19, 2001Labour relations, freedom of association
R v Nette [2001] 3 S.C.R. 488 , 2001 SCC 78November 15, 2001Criminal causation
Cooper v Hobart [2001] 3 S.C.R. 537 , 2001 SCC 79November 16, 2001 Duty of care in torts
Dunmore v Ontario (AG) [2001] 3 S.C.R. 1016 , 2001 SCC 94December 20, 2001Freedom of association
Suresh v Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) [2002] 1 S.C.R. 3 , 2002 SCC 1January 11, 2002Constitutional challenge of deportation
Ahani v Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) [2002] 1 S.C.R. 72 , 2002 SCC 2January 11, 2002Constitutional challenge of deportation
Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, Local 558 v Pepsi-Cola Canada Beverages (West) Ltd [2002] 1 S.C.R. 156 , 2002 SCC 8January 24, 2002Freedom of expression; secondary picketing
Ward v Canada (AG) [2002] 1 S.C.R. 569 , 2002 SCC 17February 22, 2002Division of powers
Théberge v Galerie d'Art du Petit Champlain Inc [2002] 2 S.C.R. 336 , 2002 SCC 34March 28, 2002Copyright
R v Handy [2002] 2 S.C.R. 908 , 2002 SCC 56June 21, 2002 Similar fact evidence rule
R v Hall [2002] 3 S.C.R. 309 , 2002 SCC 64October 10, 2002 Bail, section 11(e)
Sauvé v Canada (Chief Electoral Officer) [2002] 3 S.C.R. 519 , 2002 SCC 68October 31, 2002 Right to vote for prisoners
Harvard College v Canada (Commissioner of Patents) [2002] 4 S.C.R. 45 , 2002 SCC 76December 5, 2002 Harvard mouse, patenting higher lifeforms
Apotex Inc v Wellcome Foundation Ltd [2002] 4 S.C.R. 153 , 2002 SCC 77December 5, 2002Patents
Nova Scotia (AG) v Walsh [2002] 4 S.C.R. 325 , 2002 SCC 83December 19, 2002Marital status and equality rights
Gosselin v Quebec (AG) [2002] 4 S.C.R. 429 , 2002 SCC 84December 19, 2002Constitutional entitlement to social assistance
Chamberlain v Surrey School District No 36 [2002] 4 S.C.R. 710 , 2002 SCC 86December 20, 2002Religion in schools; school board book selections
Siemens v Manitoba (AG) [2003] 1 S.C.R. 6 , 2003 SCC 3January 30, 2003Criminal law power; constitutionality of ban on video lottery terminals
Dr Q v College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia [2003] 1 S.C.R. 226 , 2003 SCC 19April 3, 2003Judicial review
Miglin v Miglin [2003] 1 S.C.R. 303 , 2003 SCC 24April 17, 2003Separation agreements
R v Buhay [2003] 1 S.C.R. 631 , 2003 SCC 30June 5, 2003Exclusion of evidence, search and seizure
Starson v Swayze [2003] 1 S.C.R. 722 , 2003 SCC 32June 6, 2003Capacity to consent to medical treatment
Trociuk v British Columbia (AG) [2003] 1 S.C.R. 835 , 2003 SCC 34June 6, 2003Section 15 equality rights
Figueroa v Canada (AG) [2003] 1 S.C.R. 912 , 2003 SCC 37June 27, 2003Right to run for office
R v Asante-Mensah [2003] 2 S.C.R. 3 , 2003 SCC 38July 11, 2003Citizens' powers of arrest
Nova Scotia (Workers' Compensation Board) v Martin; Nova Scotia (Workers' Compensation Board) v Laseur [2003] 2 S.C.R. 504 , 2003 SCC 54October 3, 2003Constitution and tribunals
Doucet-Boudreau v Nova Scotia (Minister of Education) [2003] 3 S.C.R. 3 , 2003 SCC 62November 6, 2003The scope of section 24(1) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Beals v Saldanha [2003] 3 S.C.R. 416 , 2003 SCC 72December 18, 2003Conflict of laws
R v Malmo-Levine; R v Caine [2003] 3 S.C.R. 571 , 2003 SCC 74December 23, 2003Possession of marijuana charter challenge
R v Clay [2003] 3 S.C.R. 735 , 2003 SCC 75December 23, 2003Possession of marijuana charter challenge (second)
Canadian Foundation for Children, Youth and the Law v Canada (AG) [2004] 1 S.C.R. 76 , 2004 SCC 4January 30, 2004 Spanking allowed under charter
CCH Canadian Ltd v Law Society of Upper Canada [2004] 1 S.C.R. 39 , 2004 SCC 13March 4, 2004 Copyright infringement, fair dealing
Monsanto Canada Inc v Schmeiser [2004] 1 S.C.R. 902 , 2004 SCC 34May 21, 2004Patents
Harper v Canada (AG) [2004] 1 S.C.R. 827 , 2004 SCC 33May 18, 2004Freedom of speech, federal elections
Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada v Canadian Assn of Internet Providers [2004] 2 S.C.R. 427 , 2004 SCC 44June 30, 2004 Internet service providers as common carriers. Status of caches.
Syndicat Northcrest v Amselem [2004] 2 S.C.R. 551 , 2004 SCC 47June 30, 2004Freedom of religion
R v Mann [2004] 3 S.C.R. 59 , 2004 SCC 52July 23, 2004Section 8 search and seizure
Hodge v Canada (Minister of Human Resources Development) [2004] 3 S.C.R. 357 , 2004 SCC 65October 28, 2004Equality rights and comparator groups
Newfoundland (Treasury Board) v Newfoundland and Labrador Assn of Public and Private Employees [2004] 3 S.C.R. 381 , 2004 SCC 66October 28, 2004Equality, gender discrimination
R v Tessling [2004] 3 S.C.R. 432 , 2004 SCC 67October 29, 2004Privacy rights, section 8, thermal imaging
Peoples Department Stores Inc (Trustee of) v Wise [2004] 3 S.C.R. 461 , 2004 SCC 68October 29, 2004Director liability
Auton (Guardian ad litem of) v British Columbia (AG) [2004] 3 S.C.R. 657 , 2004 SCC 78November 19, 2004Non-core services medical services not guaranteed under charter
Reference Re Same-Sex Marriage [2004] 3 S.C.R. 698 , 2004 SCC 79December 9, 2004Extension of civil marriage to same-sex couples

2005–2009

Case nameCitationDateSubject
R v Krymowski [2005] 1 S.C.R. 101 , 2005 SCC 7February 24, 2005Hate speech
Gosselin (Tutor of) v Quebec (AG) [2005] 1 S.C.R. 238 , 2005 SCC 15March 31, 2005Language rights
Casimir v Quebec (AG) [2005] 1 S.C.R. 257 , 2005 SCC 16March 31, 2005Language rights
Canada (House of Commons) v Vaid [2005] 1 S.C.R. 667 , 2005 SCC 30May 20, 2005Parliamentary privilege
Chaoulli v Quebec (AG) [2005] 1 S.C.R. 791 , 2005 SCC 35June 9, 2005Private health insurance; section 7
Mugesera v Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) [2005] 2 S.C.R. 100 , 2005 SCC 40June 28, 2005Crimes against humanity; removal; judicial review
R v Marshall; R v Bernard [2005] 2 S.C.R. 220 , 2005 SCC 43July 20, 2005Aboriginal logging rights
Provincial Court Judges' Assn of New Brunswick v New Brunswick (Minister of Justice) [2005] 2 S.C.R. 286 , 2005 SCC 44July 22, 2005Judicial independence
British Columbia v Imperial Tobacco Canada Ltd [2005] 2 S.C.R. 473 , 2005 SCC 49September 29, 2005Gov't actions against tobacco companies
R v Turcotte [2005] 2 S.C.R. 519 , 2005 SCC 50September 30, 2005 Right to silence
EB v Order of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in the Province of British Columbia [2005] 3 S.C.R. 45 , 2005 SCC 60October 28, 2005 Vicarious liability
Montréal (City of) v 2952-1366 Québec Inc [2005] 3 S.C.R. 141 , 2005 SCC 62November 3, 2005Freedom of expression
Kirkbi AG v Ritvik Holdings Inc [2005] 3 S.C.R. 302 , 2005 SCC 65November 17, 2005 Trade-marks
Charlebois v Saint John (City of) [2005] 3 S.C.R. 563 , 2005 SCC 74December 15, 2005Minority language rights in New Brunswick
R v Labaye [2005] 3 S.C.R. 728 , 2005 SCC 80December 21, 2005Defining "indecent" in criminal code
R v Kouri [2005] 3 S.C.R. 789 , 2005 SCC 81December 21, 2005Sister case to R. v. Labaye
Multani v Commission scolaire Marguerite‑Bourgeoys [2006] 1 S.C.R. 256 , 2006 SCC 6March 2, 2006Freedom of religion; banning kirpans in school
R v Rodgers [2006] 1 S.C.R. 554 , 2006 SCC 15April 27, 2006DNA collection
Childs v Desormeaux [2006] 1 S.C.R. 643 , 2006 SCC 18May 5, 2006Social host liability
Mattel Inc v 3894207 Canada Inc [2006] 1 S.C.R. 722 , 2006 SCC 22June 2, 2006Registered trademark infringement
Robertson v Thomson Corp [2006] 2 S.C.R. 363 , 2006 SCC 43October 12, 2006Copyright in database content
Pro Swing Inc v Elta Golf Inc [2006] 2 S.C.R. 612 , 2006 SCC 52November 17, 2006Conflict of laws, enforcement of foreign judgment
R v Khelawon [2006] 2 S.C.R. 787 , 2006 SCC 57December 14, 2006Hearsay evidence
Charkaoui v Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) [2007] 1 S.C.R. 350 , 2007 SCC 9February 23, 2007Security certificates of terror suspect
Canada (AG) v Hislop [2007] 1 S.C.R. 429 , 2007 SCC 10March 1, 2007Charter; section 15 equality rights
R v Bryan [2007] 1 S.C.R. 527 , 2007 SCC 12March 15, 2007Publishing early election results
Canadian Western Bank v Alberta [2007] 2 S.C.R. 3 , 2007 SCC 22May 31, 2007Federalism and separation of powers
R v Hape [2007] 2 S.C.R. 292 , 2007 SCC 26June 7, 2007Extraterritoriality; cross-border crime; section 8 of the charter
Health Services and Support – Facilities Subsector Bargaining Assn. v British Columbia [2007] 2 SCR 391, 2007 SCC 27June 8, 2022 Freedom of association; collective bargaining
Kerr v Danier Leather Inc [2007] 3 S.C.R. 331 , 2007 SCC 44October 12, 2007Business judgment rule
Dunsmuir v New Brunswick [2008] 1 SCR 190, 2008 SCC 9 March 7, 2008Standard of review
R v Kang-Brown [2008] 1 S.C.R. 456 , 2008 SCC 18April 25, 2008Section 8, constitutionality of sniffer dog, informational privacy
R v AM [2008] 1 S.C.R. 569 , 2008 SCC 19April 25, 2008Section 8, constitutionality of sniffer dog, informational privacy
R v DB [2008] 2 S.C.R. 3 , 2008 SCC 25May 16, 2008 Section 7 of the charter; presumptive youth offences
Honda Canada Inc v Keays [2008] 2 S.C.R. 362 , 2008 SCC 39June 27, 2008Superseding Wallace v United Grain Growers Ltd in determining how damages for wrongful dismissal are assessed where there is bad faith in how the employer handles termination of employment
Apotex Inc v Sanofi-Synthelabo Canada Inc [2008] 3 S.C.R. 265 , 2008 SCC 61November 6, 2008 Canadian patent law
Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) v Khosa [2009] 1 S.C.R. 339 , 2009 SCC 12March 6, 2009 Standard of review in administrative law
BMP Global Distribution Inc v Bank of Nova Scotia [2009] 1 S.C.R. 504 , 2009 SCC 15April 2, 2009 Restitution and tracing
R v Patrick [2009] 1 S.C.R. 579 , 2009 SCC 17April 9, 2009 Section 8 of the charter; search and seizure, reasonable expectation of privacy, informational privacy
R v Grant [2009] _ S.C.R. _ , 2009 SCC 32June 17, 2009Definition of detention; analytical framework for section 24(2) of the charter
R v Harrison [2009] _ S.C.R. _ , 2009 SCC 34June 17, 2009Application of section 24(2) of the charter to egregious police conduct
Alberta v Hutterian Brethren of Wilson Colony [2009] 2 S.C.R. 567 , 2009 SCC 37July 24, 2009Constitutionality of conflict between mandatory license photographs and freedom of religion
Miazga v Kvello Estate [2009] _ S.C.R. _ , 2009 SCC 51November 6, 2009 Tort of malicious prosecution
R v Basi [2009] 3 S.C.R. 389 , 2009 SCC 52November 19, 2009Informer privilege
Grant v Torstar Corp [2009] _ S.C.R. _ , 2009 SCC 61December 22, 2009 Tort of defamation, defence of responsible communication

2010–2017

Case nameCitationDateSubject
Tercon Construction Ltd v British Columbia (Transportation and Highways) [2010] 1 S.C.R. 69, 2010 SCC 4February 10, 2010Striking down the doctrine of fundamental breach
Bank of Montreal v Innovation Credit Union [2010] 3 S.C.R. 3 , 2010 SCC 47November 5, 2010Application of the Bank Act
R v JA [2011] 2 S.C.R. 440 , 2011 SCC 28May 27, 2011Advance consent to perform sexual acts while unconscious
Canada Trustco Mortgage Co v Canada [2011] 2 S.C.R. 635 , 2011 SCC 36July 15, 2011Whether bank liable to make payments to tax debtor when receiving cheques payable to tax debtor for deposit in account held jointly by tax debtor and third party
Canada (AG) v PHS Community Services Society [2011] 3 S.C.R. 144 , 2011 SCC 44September 30, 2011 Safe injection site, constitutional law, section 7 of the Charter
Copthorne Holdings Ltd v Canada [2011] 3 S.C.R. 721 , 2011 SCC 63December 16, 2011 Income Tax Act, general anti-avoidance rule (GAAR), statutory interpretation
Reference Re Securities Act [2011] 3 S.C.R. 837 , 2011 SCC 66December 22, 2011Constitutionality of the Parliament of Canada being able to regulate the issue and trade of securities of publicly owned companies
Doré v Barreau du Québec [2012] 1 S.C.R. 395 , 2012 SCC 12March 22, 2012Application of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to administrative tribunals
R v Tse [2012] 1 S.C.R. 531 , 2012 SCC 16April 13, 2012Constitutionality of emergency wiretaps
Entertainment Software Assn v Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada [2012] 2 SCR 231, 2012 SCC 32July 12, 2012 Copyright Act, meaning of the word communicate in "communicate the work to the public by telecommunication"
Rogers v SOCAN [2012] 2 SCR 283, 2012 SCC 35July 12, 2012 Copyright Act, meaning of the terms "to the public" in "communicate the work to the public by telecommunication"
Re:Sound v. MPTAC [2012] 2 SCR 376, 2012 SCC 38July 12, 2012 Copyright Act
Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada v Bell Canada [2012] 2 SCR 326, 2012 SCC 36July 12, 2012 Copyright Act, fair dealing for the purpose of research
Alberta (Minister of Education) v Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency (Access Copyright) [2012] 2 SCR 345, 2012 SCC 37July 12, 2012 Copyright Act, fair dealing for the purpose of private study
Manitoba Métis Federation Inc v Canada (AG) [2013] 1 S.C.R. 623 , 2013 SCC 14March 8, 2013Aboriginal law, civil procedure
Canada (AG) v Bedford [2013] 3 S.C.R. 1101 , 2013 SCC 72Dec 20, 2013Constitutionality of prostitution laws
Reference Re Supreme Court Act, ss 5 and 6 [2014] 1 S.C.R. 433 , 2014 SCC 21March 21, 2014Supreme Court Quebec slots, Supreme Court Act amendment process, Supreme Court appointments
Peracomo Inc v TELUS Communications Co [2014] 1 S.C.R. 621 , 2014 SCC 29April 23, 2014Maritime law, marine insurance
Reference re Senate Reform [2014] 1 S.C.R. 704 , 2014 SCC 32April 25, 2014 Senate of Canada
R v Spencer [2014] S.C.R. , 2014 SCC 43June 13, 2014 Voluntary disclosure of ISP subscriber information
R v Fearon [2014] S.C.R. , 2014 SCC 77December 11, 2014 Search of electronic devices incidental to arrest
Mounted Police Association of Ontario v Canada (Attorney General) [2015] 1 S.C.R. 3, 2015 SCC 1January 16, 2015Freedom of association, right to join a union
Saskatchewan Federation of Labour v Saskatchewan [2015] S.C.R., 2015 SCC 4January 30, 2015The right to strike under s. 2(d) of the Charter
Carter v Canada (AG) [2015] S.C.R. , 2015 SCC 5February 6, 2015 Right to physician assisted dying
R v Nur [2015] S.C.R. , 2015 SCC 15April 14, 2015Constitutionality of mandatory minimum sentences for various firearm offences
Mouvement laïque québécois v Saguenay (City) [2015] S.C.R. , 2015 SCC 16April 15, 2015State duty of neutrality and prayers before city council meetings
Guindon v Canada [2015] S.C.R. , 2015 SCC 41July 31, 2015Distinction between criminal and regulatory penalties
Daniels v Canada (Indian Affairs and Northern Development) [2016] S.C.R. , 2016 SCC 12April 14, 2016Who qualify as "Indians" under the Constitution Act
R v Jordan [2016] S.C.R. , 2016 SCC 27July 8, 2016 Section 11 of the Charter; establishing strict time ceiling for trial delays
December 15, 2017 –retirement of Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin.

See also

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