Constitutional Obligation of Alberta to Publish Laws in French: R v Caron and Boutet

Abstract

This paper outlines the decisions of the Courts in the cases of Gilles Caron and Pierre Boutet [Caron] as well as the basic arguments advanced by the parties at the Supreme Court of Canada. The central issue in the case is whether there is a constitutional obligation on the Province of Alberta to publish its laws in French.

This is not intended to be an exhaustive analysis of the myriad of issues that were argued by Mr. Caron and Mr. Boutet in defence of their traffi c tickets. Rather, the objective is to give an overview of the essentials of each of the decisions and the basic arguments advanced. This paper will also not address the matter of funding at trial, an issue in this case which also went to the Supreme Court of Canada.