Canada's Justice System and the Rule of Law

The justice chapter of Discover Canada is short, but its principles run through the whole guide, from the Charter to the Oath of Citizenship. This follows the guide's chapter on the justice system, checked on 23 September 2026.

The principles

The Canadian justice system guarantees everyone due process under the law. The guide explains the core ideas:

• Presumption of innocence. In criminal matters, everyone is innocent until proven guilty.
• Due process. The government must respect all the legal rights a person is entitled to under the law.
• Rule of law. Canada is governed by an organized system of laws, made by elected representatives. The law applies to everyone, including judges, politicians and the police.

The guide describes Canada's legal heritage as including the rule of law, freedom under the law, democratic principles and due process. Its image for this is Lady Justice, blindfolded to show that laws are administered impartially, blind to everything but the facts.

What laws are for

Laws are the written rules intended to guide people in society. The guide says they provide order and a peaceful way to settle disputes, and express the values and beliefs of Canadians. The courts settle disputes, and the police enforce the laws.

The courts

• The Supreme Court of Canada is the country's highest court.
• The Federal Court of Canada deals with matters concerning the federal government.
• In most provinces there is an appeal court and a trial court, sometimes called the Court of King's Bench or the Supreme Court.
• There are also provincial courts for lesser offences, family courts, traffic courts and small claims courts for civil cases involving small sums of money.

The police

The police keep people safe and enforce the law. You can ask them for help after an accident, a theft or an assault, if you see a crime, or if someone you know has gone missing.

• Ontario and Quebec have provincial police forces, and every province has municipal police.
• The RCMP enforce federal laws throughout Canada, and serve as the provincial police in all provinces and territories except Ontario and Quebec, as well as in some municipalities.

You can also question the police about their service or conduct, and almost all police forces have a process for raising concerns.

Getting legal help

Lawyers can help with legal problems and act for you in court. If you cannot afford one, most communities have legal aid available free or at low cost.

Your part in it

Serving on a jury is a legal requirement when you are called, and one of the responsibilities of citizenship. The system depends on impartial juries made up of citizens.

For the test

Remember the presumption of innocence, the Supreme Court as the highest court, and the RCMP's role everywhere except Ontario and Quebec. Our study notes on the justice system and the practice questions cover the rest.