Canadian Bill Of Rights: Minister Of Justice

Canadian Bill Of Rights Dept: The rule of law in Canada depends, in part, on the Minister of Justice giving accurate information to Parliament if proposed legislation and executive regulations are in violation of the two most important rights protecting documents in Canada, the Charter of Rights and, to a lesser extent, the Canadian Bill of Rights. Since 1993, however, guidelines enacted under the Justice Department Act give the Minister of Justice a way of not disclosing when a proposed piece of legislation is in possible violation of enumerated rights, according to Globe and Mail. Since 1993, under both successive Liberal and Conservative governments, the guidelines state that if the internal assessment deems the laws and regulations are consistent with the Charter and Bill of Rights then there is no duty on the part of the minister to report to Parliament. That then places critical importance on how the guidelines as set down determine consistency and now, a second brave public servant s job is in danger for warning about how the 1982 Charter and the 1960 Canadian Bill of Rights are potentially being undermined by the Department of Justice. Justice Department lawyer Edgar Schmidt has taken his own ministry to court over the use of internal guidelines that key lawyers such as Mr. Schmidt must use to advise the minister if new regulations or draft legislation are in potential violation of the Charter or Bill of Rights. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.