Description: One of the biggest effects of the Charter is on the role of judges. Over the years, Canadian courts have struck down over 70 laws because they offended the Charter. This doesn't mean these laws died forever. A lot of the time when judges strike down a law, the government goes back to the drawing board, to see how to avoid stepping on Charter rights. For example, when the courts struck down the government's total ban on tobacco ads, the government didn't give up. It went back and fixed the law so only the very worst kinds of tobacco ads were outlawed. This kind of back and forth has had a positive effect on Canada. It creates a kind of conversation between judges and politicians to help make sure our laws are true to the Charter. How does this work in other countries? How do you think the roles of politicians and judges should interact regarding rights and freedoms?

Tags:

canada

charter of rights

country

role of judges

tobacco advertising ban

Groups: Other Rights