The Rule of Law Principles (Midterm)

Rule of Law Principle 1

All government action must be authorized by law

Rule of Law Principle 2 : Associated with the Manitoba Language Rights case

There must be known and enacted laws

Rule of Law Principle 3 : Associated with the Magna Carta and the Wells case

Everyone is subject to the law

Re: Quebec Secession (1998) : Established that a province cannot separate because of this Rule of Law principle

Authorization (nothing in the Constitution allows it)

Manitoba Language Rights (1985) Outcome : Laws ruled unconstitutional, but the court did this to prevent a vacuum

Suspended the declaration of invalidity

Wells v. Newfoundland [1999] Significance : Proved government cannot appear above the law by requiring this

Compensation for workers when abolishing a law

Legislative Branch : Made up of these 3 elements

House of Commons, Senate, Governor General

Accountability Mechanism (Legislature) : The ability to pass laws that limit the power of this branch

Executive branch

Executive Report Mechanism : The executive must report to the House of Commons during this

Question Period