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

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: https://scc-csc.lexum.com/scc-csc/scc-csc/en/item/2751/index.do

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

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