
The Charter of Rights and Freedoms
University of Toronto Press
8th Edition
Published on 3. March 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
616 pages
978-1-4875-7284-6 (ISBN)
Description
The eighth edition of The Charter of Rights and Freedoms provides an accessible yet thorough account of the constitutional protection and practical application of rights under the Canadian Charter.
Charter rights are in a state of constant evolution, and renowned legal experts Robert J. Sharpe and Kent Roach help readers navigate these changes with clarity and insight. This new edition considers the current debate on the use of the s. 33 Notwithstanding Clause and examines the impact of approximately 60 new decisions from the Supreme Court of Canada. These cases dealt with a wide range of subjects including freedom of expression, democratic rights, the use of unwritten constitutional principles, the s. 7 right to life liberty and security of the person and the overbreadth doctrine. Many new cases deal with the rights of accused persons in the criminal process, as well as the right to equality. Important recent developments to the rights of Indigenous peoples and principles of self-governance are also examined. In addition to case-law development, the authors take account of the steady stream of scholarly writing that has emerged.
This textbook provides a fundamental guide to navigating the Charter for practitioners, professors, students, and all those interested in understanding the foundations of law in Canada.
Charter rights are in a state of constant evolution, and renowned legal experts Robert J. Sharpe and Kent Roach help readers navigate these changes with clarity and insight. This new edition considers the current debate on the use of the s. 33 Notwithstanding Clause and examines the impact of approximately 60 new decisions from the Supreme Court of Canada. These cases dealt with a wide range of subjects including freedom of expression, democratic rights, the use of unwritten constitutional principles, the s. 7 right to life liberty and security of the person and the overbreadth doctrine. Many new cases deal with the rights of accused persons in the criminal process, as well as the right to equality. Important recent developments to the rights of Indigenous peoples and principles of self-governance are also examined. In addition to case-law development, the authors take account of the steady stream of scholarly writing that has emerged.
This textbook provides a fundamental guide to navigating the Charter for practitioners, professors, students, and all those interested in understanding the foundations of law in Canada.
More details
Series
Edition
Eighth Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Toronto
Canada
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Edition type
New edition
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 228 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 32 mm
Weight
816 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4875-7284-6 (9781487572846)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Robert J. Sharpe is a retired judge of the Court of Appeal for Ontario and a distinguished jurist in residence, Faculty of Law, University of Toronto.
Kent Roach, CM, FRSC is a professor of law at the University of Toronto. He is the author of eighteen books including Canadian Policing: Why and How it Must Change, shortlisted for both the Balsillie and Donner Prizes for best book in public policy. He has conducted research for public inquiries on policing including the Arar, Air India, Ipperwash, Public Order Emergency, and Toronto Missing Persons inquiries and served as chair of the RCMP's Management Advisory Board. He received the Molson Prize in 2017 for contributions to the social sciences and humanities.
Kent Roach, CM, FRSC is a professor of law at the University of Toronto. He is the author of eighteen books including Canadian Policing: Why and How it Must Change, shortlisted for both the Balsillie and Donner Prizes for best book in public policy. He has conducted research for public inquiries on policing including the Arar, Air India, Ipperwash, Public Order Emergency, and Toronto Missing Persons inquiries and served as chair of the RCMP's Management Advisory Board. He received the Molson Prize in 2017 for contributions to the social sciences and humanities.
Content
Preface to the Seventh Edition
Introduction
Chapter 1: Historical Context
Chapter 2: the Legitimacy of Judicial Review
Chapter 3: Interpretation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Chapter 4: Limitation of Charter Rights
Chapter 5: the Legislative Override
Chapter 6: Application
Chapter 7: Charter Litigation
Chapter 8: Freedom of Conscience and Religion
Chapter 9: Freedom of Expression
Chapter 10: Freedom of Association
Chapter 11: Democratic Rights
Chapter 12: Mobility Rights
Chapter 13: Life, Liberty, and Security of the Person and the Principles of Fundamental Justice
Chapter 14: Rights in the Criminal Process
Chapter 15: Equality
Chapter 16: Language Rights
Chapter 17: Indigenous Rights
Chapter 18: Remedies
Glossary
Constitution Act, 1982
Table of Cases
Index
About the Authors
Introduction
Chapter 1: Historical Context
Chapter 2: the Legitimacy of Judicial Review
Chapter 3: Interpretation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Chapter 4: Limitation of Charter Rights
Chapter 5: the Legislative Override
Chapter 6: Application
Chapter 7: Charter Litigation
Chapter 8: Freedom of Conscience and Religion
Chapter 9: Freedom of Expression
Chapter 10: Freedom of Association
Chapter 11: Democratic Rights
Chapter 12: Mobility Rights
Chapter 13: Life, Liberty, and Security of the Person and the Principles of Fundamental Justice
Chapter 14: Rights in the Criminal Process
Chapter 15: Equality
Chapter 16: Language Rights
Chapter 17: Indigenous Rights
Chapter 18: Remedies
Glossary
Constitution Act, 1982
Table of Cases
Index
About the Authors