Canadian Constitutional Law

Overview

This module examines the main institutions and principles of Canadian constitutional law. Topics include the evolution of the Constitution, the distribution of legislative, executive and judicial powers, the scope of judicial review, Charter rights and Indigenous rights. The course concludes by way of comparative reflections about Canadian constitutionalism.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the module, students will be able to:
• Explain the main institutions and principles of Canadian constitutional law.
• Analyse the distribution of public powers and the role of judicial review.
• Evaluate the protection of rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Canadian Constitution’s recognition of Indigenous rights.
• Compare Canadian constitutionalism with other systems.

Skills

Students will develop skills in:
• Constitutional interpretation and legal reasoning.
• Independent research and critical analysis.
• Clear and persuasive written communication.
• Comparative evaluation of constitutional systems.

Assessment