Our Tour of the Supreme Court of Canada

During our Ottawa Study Tour, the interns enjoyed a tour of the Supreme Court of Canada, where we learned more about the history, role, and inner workings of Canada’s highest court. 

As we stepped into the grand building overlooking the Ottawa River, we were welcomed by a Supreme Court guide, who walked us through the institution’s rich history. Although the Court was established in 1875, it did not become the final court of appeal until 1949, meaning Canadians could still appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London until then. This shift solidified the Supreme Court’s role as the ultimate interpreter of Canadian law.  

We were also introduced to the structure of the Court: nine justices appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister, with the requirement that three must come from Quebec to preserve the province’s civil law tradition. We learned how cases move through the system, such as how they navigate the leave-to-appeal process, where the Court decides which cases raise issues of public importance. We were particularly surprised to hear that even though thousands of legal decisions occur annually across the country, only a small fraction ever reach this final stage. 

Our time at the Supreme Court deepened our understanding of Canada’s legal system and the crucial role the Court plays in upholding the Constitution, protecting rights and freedoms, and shaping national policy through its decisions. We greatly enjoyed this tour and left feeling grateful for the opportunity to witness the spaces where many of Canada’s most consequential legal decisions are made!