List of Supreme Court of Canada cases (Lamer Court)

This is a chronological list of notable cases decided by the Supreme Court of Canada from appointment of Antonio Lamer as Chief Justice of Canada to his retirement.

1990 – 1994

Case name Citation Date Subject
July 1, 1990 – Appointment of Antonio Lamer as Chief Justice of Canada
Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada v Northwest Territories (Commissioner) [1990] 2 SCR 367 August 16, 1990 freedom of association; section 2(d)
Central Alberta Dairy Pool v Alberta (Human Rights Commission) [1990] 2 SCR 489 September 13, 1990 freedom of religion; employer discrimination
R v Khan [1990] 2 SCR 531 September 13, 1990 hearsay exception, children as witnesses
R v Martineau [1990] 2 SCR 633 September 13, 1990 murder
R v J(JT) [1990] 2 SCR 755 Young offenders
Clarke v Clarke [1990] 2 SCR 795 October 4, 1990 pensions and matrimonial property
R v Hess; R v Nguyen [1990] 2 SCR 906 October 4, 1990 Charter section 7, statutory rape
R v Askov [1990] 2 SCR 1199 October 18, 1990 Charter right to be "tried within a reasonable time" (s. 11(b))
Steele v Mountain Institution [1990] 2 SCR 1385 November 8, 1990 Cruel and unusual punishment, indeterminate sentences
R v Wong [1990] 3 SCR 36 November 22, 1990 Electronic surveillance
McKinney v University of Guelph [1990] 3 SCR 229 December 6, 1990 Case broadened the scope of the Charter, elaborated use of section 15.
Stoffman v Vancouver General Hospital [1990] 3 SCR 483 December 6, 1990 application of the Charter; age discrimination
Douglas/Kwantlen Faculty Assn v Douglas College [1990] 3 SCR 570 December 13, 1990 Jurisdiction, remedies
R v Keegstra [1990] 3 SCR 697 December 13, 1990 Hate propaganda
R v Andrews [1990] 3 SCR 870 December 13, 1990 Freedom of expression
Morguard Investments Ltd v De Savoye [1990] 3 SCR 1077 December 20, 1990 conflict of laws
R v Chaulk [1990] 3 SCR 1303 December 20, 1990 mental disorder defence
Committee for the Commonwealth of Canada v Canada [1991] 1 SCR 139 January 25, 1991 Freedom of political expression, reasonable limitations of rights
R v Sullivan [1991] 1 SCR 489 March 21, 1991 Fetus as a legal person
R v W(D) [1991] 1 SCR 742 March 28, 1991 Charge to juries
R v Evans [1991] 1 SCR 869 April 18, 1991 Right to counsel
R v Swain [1991] 1 SCR 933 May 2, 1991 arbitrary detention, Charter section 7
Cuddy Chicks Ltd v Ontario (Labour Relations Board) [1991] 2 SCR 5 June 6, 1991 jurisdiction
Tétreault-Gadoury v Canada (Employment and Immigration Commission) [1991] 2 SCR 22 June 6, 1991 jurisdiction
Osborne v Canada (Treasury Board) [1991] 2 SCR 69 June 6, 1991 political neutrality of public service, freedom of expression
Reference Re Provincial Electoral Boundaries (Sask) [1991] 2 SCR 158 June 6, 1991 Right to vote, representation
Lavigne v Ontario Public Service Employees Union [1991] 2 SCR 211 June 27, 1991 Freedom of association, freedom of expression
Reference Re Canada Assistance Plan (BC) [1991] 2 SCR 525 August 15, 1991 Jurisdiction of section 96 courts.
R v Seaboyer [1991] 2 SCR 577 August 22, 1991 right to full answer and defence
R v Jobidon [1991] 2 SCR 714 September 26, 1991 Defence of consent
Kindler v Canada (Minister of Justice) [1991] 2 SCR 779 September 26, 1991 extradition
Reference Re Ng Extradition [1991] 2 SCR 858 September 26, 1991 extradition to country with death penalty
Pearlman v Manitoba Law Society Judicial Committee [1991] 2 SCR 869 September 26, 1991 section 7
R v McCraw [1991] 3 SCR 72 rape threats
R v Wholesale Travel Group Inc [1991] 3 SCR 154 October 24, 1991 Strict liability offences
R v Gruenke [1991] 3 SCR 263 October 24, 1991 case-by-case privilege.
R v Stinchcombe [1991] 3 SCR 326 November 7, 1991 disclosure of evidence
R v Goltz [1991] 3 SCR 485 November 14, 1991 cruel and unusual punishment, section 12
R v Broyles [1991] 3 SCR 595 November 28, 1991 Right to silence
Canadian Council of Churches v Canada (Minister of Employment and Immigration) [1992] 1 SCR 236 January 23, 1992 Standing
R v Genereux [1992] 1 SCR 259 February 13, 1992 constitutionality of being tried by court martial.
R v Butler [1992] 1 SCR 452 February 27, 1992 pornography and freedom of expression
R v Wise [1992] 1 SCR 527 Section 8, Electronic Surveillance
Newfoundland Telephone Co v Newfoundland (Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities) [1992] 1 SCR 623 March 5, 1992 Administrative law, reasonable apprehension of bias
Canada (Minister of Employment and Immigration) v Chiarelli [1992] 1 SCR 711 March 26, 1992 Charter rights, deportation for crime
R v Morin [1992] 1 SCR 771 March 26, 1992 Right to trial within a reasonable time
Reference Re Milgaard (Can) [1992] 1 SCR 866
Canadian National Railway Co v Norsk Pacific Steamship Co [1992] 1 SCR 1021 April 30, 1992 sets forth categories of recoverable economic loss.
Norberg v Wynrib [1992] 2 SCR 224, [1992] 2 SCR 226, [1992] 2 SCR 318 tort law
Reference re Goods and Services Tax [1992] 2 SCR 445
R v Nova Scotia Pharmaceutical Society [1992] 2 SCR 606 July 9, 1992 section 7
Schachter v Canada [1992] 2 SCR 679 July 9, 1992 remedies of Constitution; section 52; section 24(1)
R v Zundel [1992] 2 SCR 731 August 27, 1992 Freedom of expression
R v Smith [1992] 2 SCR 915 August 27, 1992 Hearsay exceptions
R v Parks [1992] 2 SCR 871 August 27, 1992 defence of automatism
R v DeSousa [1992] 2 SCR 944 September 24, 1992 predicate offences, requirement for mens rea
Central Okanagan School District No 23 v Renaud [1992] 2 SCR 970 September 24, 1992 Human Right Act
Ciba-Geigy Canada Ltd v Apotex Inc [1992] 3 SCR 120 passing off
Haig v Canada (Chief Electoral Officer) [1992] 3 SCR 163 September 2, 1993 right to vote
London Drugs Ltd v Kuehne & Nagel International Ltd [1992] 3 SCR 299 October 29, 1992 privity
R v Morales [1992] 3 SCR 711 November 19, 1992 right to reasonable bail
Moge v Moge [1992] 3 SCR 813 December 17, 1992 spousal support
BG Checo International Ltd v British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority [1993] 1 SCR 12 January 21, 1993 grounds for civil actions
New Brunswick Broadcasting Co v Nova Scotia (Speaker of the House of Assembly) [1993] 1 SCR 319 January 21, 1993 Parliamentary privileges
The Rhône v The Peter AB Widener [1993] 1 SCR 497 corporate liability
Canada (AG) v Mossop [1993] 1 SCR 554 February 25, 1993 equality rights
R v B (KG) [1993] 1 SCR 740 February 25, 1993 prior inconsistent statements
Reference Re Public Schools Act (Man) [1993] 1 SCR 839
R v Hundal [1993] 1 SCR 867 March 11, 1993 criminal fault standard.
Amchem Products Inc v British Columbia (Workers' Compensation Board) [1993] 1 SCR 897 March 25, 1993 conflict of laws, forum selection
Hall v Hebert [1993] 2 SCR 159 April 29, 1993 Ex turpi causa non oritur actio, contributory negligence
Canada (AG) v Ward [1993] 2 SCR 689 June 30, 1993 Refugee, persecution
Ramsden v Peterborough (City of) [1993] 2 SCR 1084 September 2, 1993 Freedom of expression
R v Creighton [1993] 3 SCR 3 September 9, 1993 criminal fault standard.
R v Plant [1993] 3 SCR 281 September 30, 1993 search of computer records; search of perimeter of property
Ontario Hydro v Ontario (Labour Relations Board) [1993] 3 SCR 327 September 30, 1993 federalism, federal declaratory power
R v Morgentaler [1993] 3 SCR 463 September 30, 1993 The constitutionality of provincial regulations of abortion.
Rodriguez v British Columbia (AG) [1993] 3 SCR 519 September 30, 1993 right to suicide
R v Dersch [1993] 3 SCR 768 October 21, 1993
R v Marquard [1993] 4 SCR 223 October 21, 1993 expert evidence
Hunt v T&N plc [1993] 4 SCR 289 November 18, 1993 conflict of laws
R v Finta [1994] 1 SCR 701 March 24, 1994 war crimes and crimes against humanity
R v Mohan [1994] 2 SCR 9 May 5, 1994 expert testimony
R v Daviault [1994] 3 SCR 63 September 30, 1994 defence of intoxication
R v Bartle [1994] 3 SCR 173 September 29, 1994 right to be informed on arrest of duty counsel
R v Prosper [1994] 3 SCR 236 September 29, 1994 right to retain counsel s.10(b) of Charter
Native Women's Association of Canada v Canada [1994] 3 SCR 627 October 27, 1994 positive obligations on the government under freedom of expression in the Charter.
R v Heywood [1994] 3 SCR 761 November 24, 1994 Section Seven challenge, Overbreadth
Dagenais v Canadian Broadcasting Corp [1994] 3 SCR 835 December 8, 1994 publication bans, freedom of expression
R v Laba [1994] 3 SCR 965 December 8, 1994 presumption of innocence
Tolofson v Jensen [1994] 3 SCR 1022 December 15, 1994 conflict of laws in tort

1995 – 1999

Case name Citation Date Subject
Stewart v Pettie [1995] 1 SCR 131 January 26, 1995 Duty of Care in social host liability
Canadian Broadcasting Corp v Canada (Labour Relations Board) [1995] 1 SCR 157 January 27, 1995 Standard of review for administrative tribunals
R v Burlingham [1995] 2 SCR 206 May 18, 1995 Right to counsel
Miron v Trudel [1995] 2 SCR 418 May 25, 1995 section 15
Egan v Canada [1995] 2 SCR 513 May 25, 1995 sexual orientation, ground of discrimination under the Charter.
Thibaudeau v Canada [1995] 2 SCR 627 May 25, 1995 Charter equality rights; section 7
R v Park [1995] 2 SCR 836 June 22, 1995 established the mistaken belief in consent defence
Weber v Ontario Hydro [1995] 2 SCR 929 June 29, 1995 concurrency of court jurisdiction; collective agreements
R v Hibbert [1995] 2 SCR 973 February 22, 1996 Aiding and abetting, duress
Hill v Church of Scientology of Toronto [1995] 2 SCR 1130 July 20, 1995 defamation; Charter interpretation
RJR-MacDonald Inc v Canada (AG) [1995] 3 SCR 199 September 21, 1995 tobacco, freedom of speech.
Husky Oil Operations Ltd v Canada (Minister of Natural Resources) [1995] 3 SCR 453 October 19, 2005 applicability, paramountcy
Chan v Canada (Minister of Employment and Immigration) [1995] 3 SCR 593 October 19, 1995 Convention refugee status
R v Jorgensen [1995] 4 SCR 55 November 16, 1995 obscenity
R v O'Connor [1995] 4 SCR 411 December 14, 1995 privilege for doctor's records
Hollis v Dow Corning Corp [1995] 4 SCR 634 December 21, 1995 Product liability
R (Canada) v Adams [1995] 4 SCR 707 publication ban
R v Edwards [1996] 1 SCR 128 Test for Reasonable Expectation of Privacy in Section 8 of the Charter
Reference Re Amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act (NS) [1996] 1 SCR 186 February 22, 1996 Jurisdiction of section 96 courts
R v Badger [1996] 1 SCR 771 April 3, 1996 aboriginal treaty rights
Ross v New Brunswick School District No 15 [1996] 1 SCR 825
R v Van der Peet [1996] 2 SCR 507 August 21, 1996 section 35 aboriginal rights
R v Gladstone [1996] 2 SCR 723 August 21, 1996 aboriginal fishing rights
R v Pamajewon [1996] 2 SCR 821 August 22, 1996 aboriginal self-government
Adler v Ontario (AG) [1996] 3 SCR 609 November 21, 1996 private denominational education
R v Latimer [1997] 1 SCR 217 February 6, 1997 arbitrary detention, the right to informed of reasons for arrest or detention, the right to be informed that one may seek counsel
R v Stillman [1997] 1 SCR 607 March 20, 1997 exclusion of evidence, s.24(2) of the Charter
Canada (Director of Investigation and Research) v Southam Inc [1997] 1 SCR 748 March 20, 1997 judicial review
Hercules Managements Ltd v Ernst & Young [1997] 2 SCR 165 May 22, 1997 Novel duties of care, auditors' liability
R v Noble [1997] 1 SCR 874 right to silence
R v Feeney [1997] 2 SCR 13 May 22, 1997 section 8 of the Charter
Eldridge v British Columbia (AG) [1997] 2 SCR 624 October 9, 1997 section 32 and 15 of the Charter
Provincial Judges Reference [1997] 3 SCR 3 September 18, 1997 Remuneration of Provincial Court Judges
R v Hydro-Québec [1997] 3 SCR 213 September 18, 1997 Constitutional criminal law power, peace, order and good government
R v Lifchus [1997] 3 SCR 320 September 18, 1997 beyond a reasonable doubt standard
R v Belnavis [1997] 3 SCR 341 September 25, 1997 search and seizure
R v S (RD) [1997] 3 SCR 484 September 26, 1997 judge's use of personal experiences in deciding cases.
Libman v Quebec (AG) [1997] 3 SCR 569 October 9, 1997 election law, freedom of expression and association
Wallace v United Grain Growers Ltd [1997] 3 SCR 701 October 30, 1997 damages for wrongful dismissal where employer exercises bad faith in terminating employment
Godbout v Longueuil (City of) [1997] 3 SCR 844 October 31, 1997 section 7; restriction on residence
Delgamuukw v British Columbia [1997] 3 SCR 1010 December 11, 1997 aboriginal title, right to self-government.
Re Remuneration of Judges (No 2) [1998] 1 SCR 3 February 10, 1998 aftermath of Provincial Judges Reference; doctrine of necessity
R v Lucas [1998] 1 SCR 439 April 2, 1998 defamatory libel, freedom of expression
Vriend v Alberta [1998] 1 SCR 493 April 2, 1998 provincial governments cannot exclude sexual orientation from human rights codes.
Aubry v Éditions Vice-Versa Inc [1998] 1 SCR 591 April 9, 1998 Privacy rights; invasion of privacy
Thomson Newspapers Co Ltd v Canada (AG) [1998] 1 SCR 877 May 29, 1998 Freedom of expression
Pushpanathan v Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) [1998] 1 SCR 982 June 4, 1998 Refugees, Administrative law
Eli Lilly & Co v Novopharm Ltd [1998] 2 SCR 129 patents
Reference Re Secession of Quebec [1998] 2 SCR 217 August 20, 1998 Constitutionality of unilateral separation of Quebec
R v Cuerrier [1998] 2 SCR 371 December 3, 1998 criminal law
Canadian Egg Marketing Agency v Richardson [1998] 3 SCR 157 May 30, 1997 Standing; Section Six of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Cadbury Schweppes Inc v FBI Foods Ltd [1999] 1 SCR 142 January 28, 1999 Breach of confidence and appropriate remedies
R v Godoy [1999] 1 SCR 311 February 4, 1999 Rights against police entering private residence.
R v Ewanchuk [1999] 1 SCR 330 February 25, 1999 consent as defence to sexual assault
Law v Canada (Minister of Employment and Immigration) [1999] 1 SCR 497 March 25, 1999 section 15
MJB Enterprises Ltd v Defence Construction (1951) Ltd [1999] 1 SCR 619 Tendering contracts
R v Monney [1999] 1 SCR 652
R v Beaulac [1999] 1 SCR 768 May 20, 1999 language rights
M v H [1999] 2 SCR 3 May 20, 1999 rights of same-sex couples
Corbiere v Canada (Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs) [1999] 2 SCR 203, 1999 SCC 29 May 20, 1999 Equality rights, right to vote.
R v Stone [1999] 2 SCR 290 May 27, 1999 mental disorder defence
R v White [1999] 2 SCR 417
Bazley v Curry [1999] 2 SCR 534 June 17, 1999 vicarious liability
Jacobi v Griffiths [1999] 2 SCR 570 June 17, 1999 vicarious liability
Winko v British Columbia (Forensic Psychiatric Institute) [1999] 2 SCR 625 June 17, 1999 Mental disorder and criminal law; Charter
Dobson (Litigation guardian of) v Dobson [1999] 2 SCR 753 July 9, 1999 Pregnancy and torts
Baker v Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) [1999] 2 SCR 817 July 9, 1999 Judicial review
Delisle v Canada (Deputy AG) [1999] 2 SCR 989 September 2, 1999 association; expression; equality
United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 1518 v KMart Canada Ltd [1999] 2 SCR 1083 September 9, 1999 Freedom of expression; picketing
British Columbia (Public Service Employee Relations Commission) v British Columbia Government Service Employees' Union [1999] 3 SCR 3 September 9, 1999 Human Rights legislation; discrimination
R v Marshall [1999] 3 SCR 45 aboriginal fishing rights.
New Brunswick (Minister of Health and Community Services) v G (J) [1999] 3 SCR 46 September 10, 1999 access to legal aid
Fraser River Pile & Dredge Ltd v Can-Dive Services Ltd [1999] 3 SCR 108 September 10, 1999 privity
R v Mills [1999] 3 SCR 668 November 25, 1999 privilege, disclosure of evidence
British Columbia (Superintendent of Motor Vehicles) v British Columbia (Council of Human Rights) [1999] 3 SCR 868 December 16, 1999 discrimination based on disability
January 6, 2000 – retirement of Chief Justice Antonio Lamer.

See also