In 1985, Industry Canada created an economic development program for Ontario’s rural areas. The program’s services were offered by the North Simcoe Community Futures Development Corporation on behalf of Industry Canada. Raymond DesRochers argued that the rights of the French-speaking population of Huronia were violated because the North Simcoe Corporation did not provide services of equal quality in both official languages.
Jean-Claude Mahe, Paul Dubé, and Angeline Martel were three French-speaking parents who argued that French-language education in Edmonton, Alberta was inadequate. They submitted a proposal to the Minister of Education for a new French elementary school that would be administered by a committee of parents within a separate French school board, among other features. The Minister told them that it was a policy of the province to not create any French school jurisdictions. The parents then submitted their proposal to two other school boards, but their proposals were rejected.
Government investigators searched the office of the Edmonton Journal, a division of Southam Inc. The investigators wanted to search every file in the building, except for those in the newsroom. They refused to give specific information about why they were there or what sections of the Combines Investigation Act authorized the search. Southam Inc. challenged the act, arguing that it went against the right to be secure against unreasonable search or seizure.
A provision in the Canada Elections Act prohibited all inmates from voting in federal elections. Richard Sauvé challenged this new law, citing this rights violation.
n December 2008, Barrett Jordan was arrested and charged with offences relating to possession and trafficking. It was not until February 2013 that he was finally convicted of five drug-related offences. The total delay between the charges and the end of trial was over 49 months. During his trial, Jordan asked to stay the proceedings, which is a request to stop the case from moving forward. He believed that the delay violated these rights.
Irwin Toy Ltd. aired television ads for toys aimed at children. Québec’s consumer protection office charged Irwin Toy with offences under the provincial Consumer Protection Act. The act did not allow commercial advertising aimed at children under 13. Irwin Toy Ltd. challenged the act saying it unjustifiably limited this.
Big M Drug Mart was a store in Calgary that did not close on Sundays. The police charged the store for violating the Lord’s Day Act, which stated that selling goods or conducting business on Sundays was unlawful. The act reflected the Christian tradition of reserving Sunday as a day of rest.
Delwin Vriend worked as a laboratory coordinator at a college in Edmonton, Alberta. After he disclosed that he was homosexual, Vriend was fired from his position. His sexual orientation did not comply with the college’s policy on homosexuality. Vriend wanted to make a complaint with the Alberta Human Rights Commission that his employer had discriminated against him. However, Alberta’s human rights legislation did not include sexual orientation as a prohibited ground of discrimination.
FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE AND RELIGION
FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOM OF THOUGHT, BELIEF, OPINION AND EXPRESSION
DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS
OFFICIAL LANGUAGES OF CANADA
LEGAL RIGHTS
MINORITY EDUCATIONAL LANGUAGE EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS
LEGAL RIGHTS
EQUALITY RIGHTS
