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The Daily Insight

What is a reference question in law?

Author

John Thompson

Published Mar 27, 2026

A reference question is a submission by either the federal or provincial government that asks the courts for advice on a major legal issue. A court does not rule on a reference question. A court’s answer to a reference question is not binding.

What does it mean when a case is a reference?

In Canadian law, a reference question or reference case (formally called abstract review) is a submission by the federal or a provincial government to the courts asking for an advisory opinion on a major legal issue. Typically the question concerns the constitutionality of legislation.

What statute gives the SCC the power to answer a reference question?

the Supreme Court Act
[12] Section 53 of the Supreme Court Act states: “the Governor in Council may refer to the Court for hearing and consideration important questions of law or fact.” When a question is referred in this manner, “it is the duty of the Court to hear and consider it and to answer each question so referred.” In other words.

What is a reference opinion?

In a reference, the federal or provincial government submits questions to the courts asking for an advisory opinion on major legal issue(s). Often, the question involves the constitutionality of existing or proposed legislation.

What is a reference procedure?

With regards to disinfectant testing, reference procedures are comparative procedures for evaluating the efficacy of disinfectants in accordance with specified European Norms (EN).

What is a citation in a court case?

Case citation is a system used by legal professionals to identify past court case decisions, either in series of books called reporters or law reports, or in a neutral style that identifies a decision regardless of where it is reported.

How do you read a case citation in Canada?

Canadian practice is to cite cases by the name of the parties (italicized) separated by “v.” (not italicized), year.

Who does the Supreme Court answer to Canada?

Its jurisdiction embraces both the civil law of the province of Quebec and the common law of the other nine provinces and three territories. As it is a general court of appeal, the Supreme Court of Canada can hear cases in all areas of the law.

Should Canada put an end to the use of reference questions and restrict judges opinion to only matters of actual controversy as is the case in the USA?

Canada should eliminate the reference procedure and limit judges to opine on matters of actual controversy, as is the case in the United States. Supreme Court and in such inferior courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish,”). 2 Muskrat v.

What is a reference measure?

terms’ (VIM) JCGM200:2008 and IUPAC technical report, a reference measurement procedure is described as a measurement procedure accepted as measurement results fit for their intended use in assessing measurement trueness of measured quantity values obtained from other ‘measurement procedures’ for quantities of the same …

What is a preliminary reference list?

A preliminary annotated reference list is more commonly called an annotated bibliography. An annotated bibliography has two purposes: it provides a reference for you when writing a paper, and it shows the person reading your paper what references you chose and why you chose them.

Can you appeal a Supreme Court decision in Canada?

In order to appeal a decision of a court of appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada, you must, in a civil case, and this is also true in most criminal cases, ask the Supreme Court of Canada for leave (permission) to do so.

What is the supreme law of Canada?

52. (1) The Constitution of Canada is the supreme law of Canada, and any law that is inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution is, to the extent of the inconsistency, of no force or effect.

What is the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of Canada?

The Supreme Court of Canada It has jurisdiction over disputes in all areas of the law. These include constitutional law, administrative law, criminal law, and civil law. The Court does not hold trials, but hears appeals from all other Canadian appeal courts.

Who is responsible for the court system in Canada?

Section 101 of the Constitution Act, 1867 gives Parliament power to “provide for the Constitution, Maintenance and Organization of a General Court of Appeal for Canada, and for the establishment of any additional Courts for the better Administration of the Laws of Canada.” All the courts constituted and appointed …