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Roncarelli v. Duplessis, [1959] S.C.R. 121

Title

Roncarelli v. Duplessis, [1959] S.C.R. 121

Subject

Canada, civil rights, constitutional law, administrative law, Quebec, Jehovah's Witnesses, religion

Description

This is the Supreme Court of Canada's decision in Roncarelli v. Duplessis (1959). Roncarelli had provoked the ire of Premier Duplessis by posting bail for members of the Jehovah's Witnesses who had been arrested for distributing pamphlets. Duplessis viewed the Jehovah's Witnesses as a threat to the Catholic church. In retaliation against Roncarelli, Duplessis suspended the liquor licence of Roncarelli's restaurant, Quaff. Roncarelli sued for damages. The Supreme Court of Canada held that Duplessis had acted without legal authority and therefore was liable for damages. The case constitutes one of the key cases that was said to create an "implied bill of rights" for Canadians.

Creator

Supreme Court of Canada

Source

Supreme Court of Canada
Canada's Human Rights History: http://historyofrights.ca/

Publisher

Supreme Court of Canada. Official citation: Roncarelli v. Duplessis, [1959] S.C.R. 121

Date

1959

Rights

(c) Supreme Court of Canada
Lexum

Format

Hyperlink

Language

English
French

Type

Hyperlink

Original Format

Text

Files

Citation

Supreme Court of Canada, “Roncarelli v. Duplessis, [1959] S.C.R. 121,” Exhibits, accessed March 29, 2024, https://exhibits.library.utoronto.ca/items/show/2290.