Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Charter Of Rights And Public Policy In Canada, Patrick J. Monahan, Marie Finkelstein

Osgoode Hall Law Journal

Much of the literature on the Charter has focused on the manner in which the courts have interpreted the document. This essay examines the Charter from another perspective-its impact on the policy process within government. Drawing on a series of papers prepared by senior government officials at both the federal and provincial levels, the authors argue that the Charter has permanently changed the way in which governments formulate and implement public policy in Canada. Virtually all policy proposals making their way to the Cabinet table must be examined to ensure that they conform to the requirements of the Charter. This …