Roncarelli v. Duplessis, [1959] S.C.R. 121
Canada, civil rights, constitutional law, administrative law, Quebec, Jehovah's Witnesses, religion
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.
Supreme Court of Canada
Supreme Court of Canada
Lexum: <a href="https://scc-csc.lexum.com/scc-csc/scc-csc/en/item/2751/index.do">https://scc-csc.lexum.com/scc-csc/scc-csc/en/item/2751/index.do</a>
Canada's Human Rights History: http://historyofrights.ca/
Supreme Court of Canada. Official citation: Roncarelli v. Duplessis, [1959] S.C.R. 121
1959
(c) Supreme Court of Canada
Lexum
Hyperlink
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French
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"A Bill of Rights for Quebec"
Canada, Quebec, history, religion, Jehovah's Witnesses, Roncarelli, Duplessis
This is a newspaper article published in the Globe and Mail. The article reports on Roncarelli's successful lawsuit against Premier Duplessis.
Robert Duffy
Robert Duffy, "A Bill of Rights For Quebec" <em>Globe and Mail (1936 - current)</em>, Feb 21, 1959, p. A5
ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Globe and Mail
ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Globe and Mail
Feb. 21, 1959
(c) ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Globe and Mail
(c) The Globe and Mail
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English
paper
newspaper
The Roncarelli Affair and Maurice Duplessis
Canada, Quebec, religion, Jehovah's Witnesses, Duplessis
This program features an interview of Frank Roncarelli who challenged Quebec Premier Duplessis's revocation of his liquor licence. Duplessis cancelled Roncarelli's licence after Roncarelli continued to post bail for Jehovah's Witnesses who had been charged for distributing leaflets that criticized the Catholic Church.
CBC Front Page Challenge
CBC Digital Archives
CBC
May 25, 1965
Guest(s):
Frank Roncarelli
Host:
Fred Davis
Panellist:
Pierre Berton, Betty Kennedy, Gordon Sinclair, Doris Clark
(c) CBC
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moving picture
English
Moving picture