A working map of the system this site writes about — who makes the law, who applies it, and where a case goes once it starts. Six sections: the federation, Parliament, the courts, the constitution, and the two legal worlds Canada belongs to — common law and civil law.
Canada is a federation: one federal government, ten provinces, and three territories, each with its own legislature and its own courts. The constitution splits law-making power between the two levels — most legal questions begin with which government gets to decide this?
Every province and territory runs its own trial and appeal courts, applies its own statutes, and administers justice within its borders — under one criminal law, made federally, and one final court for everyone.
Select a region on the map to see when it joined and which courts serve it.
Parliament in Ottawa legislates for the whole country on:
Each provincial legislature governs, within the province:
Territories exercise similar powers, but by delegation from Parliament rather than by constitutional right. Where a subject touches both lists — the environment, for instance — both levels can legislate, and the courts referee the boundary.