The Justice System
Due process, the courts, and what the police are for.
Principles
- The justice system guarantees everyone due process under the law.
- Criminal matters rest on the presumption of innocence — everyone is innocent until proven guilty.
- The law applies to everyone, including judges, politicians and the police.
- Law exists to keep order, to settle disagreements without violence, and to put what Canadians value into writing.
Courts
- The Supreme Court of Canada is the highest court.
- Cases involving the federal government go before the Federal Court.
- A trial court with an appeal court above it is the usual provincial arrangement; the trial court may be styled Court of Queen’s or King’s Bench, or Supreme Court.
- Below those sit provincial courts for minor offences, along with family, traffic and small claims courts.
Police
- Ontario and Quebec have provincial police forces; all provinces have municipal police departments.
- The RCMP enforces federal laws throughout Canada and serves as the provincial police everywhere except Ontario and Quebec.
- You are allowed to question the police about their service or conduct. Almost all forces have a complaints process.
- If you cannot pay for a lawyer, most communities have legal aid services free of charge or at low cost.