History of the Supreme Court of Canada

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Supreme Court of Canada
The Court Supreme Court Act History Process List of cases
Current members Chief Justice of Canada Richard Wagner Puisne justices Andromache Karakatsanis Suzanne Côté Malcolm Rowe Sheilah Martin Nicholas Kasirer Mahmud Jamal Michelle O'Bonsawin Mary Moreau
All members List of chief justices List of all justices by court by seat
Related Court system of Canada Judicial appointments in Canada
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The Supreme Court of Canada was founded in 1875 and has served as the final court of appeal in Canada since 1949. Its history may be divided into three general eras. From its inception in 1875 until 1949, the Court served as an intermediate appellate court subject to appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in Britain. Following 1949, the Court gained importance and legitimacy as the court of last resort in Canada, establishing a greater role for the Canadian judiciary. In 1982, the introduction of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms significantly changed the role of the Court in Canadian society, by providing the Court with greater powers of oversight over Parliament and through formal recognition of civil rights including aboriginal rights and equality rights.