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
Collection
Tags
Citation
Supreme Court of Canada, “Roncarelli v. Duplessis, [1959] S.C.R. 121,” Exhibits, accessed October 12, 2024, https://exhibits.library.utoronto.ca/items/show/2290.