Ford v. Quebec (Attorney General)

[1988] 2 S.C.R. 712 (1988)

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Ford v. Quebec (Attorney General)

Canada Supreme Court
[1988] 2 S.C.R. 712 (1988)

KS

Facts

In 1984, the Quebec Charter of the French Language (language charter) required that public signs and commercial advertising include only the French language. Valerie Ford (plaintiff) challenged the restrictions of the language charter as limiting Ford’s freedom of expression as protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Canadian charter) and the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms (Quebec charter). The superior court and court of appeals held that the freedom of expression protected by the Canadian and Quebec charters included the right to express oneself in a chosen language. The attorney general of Quebec appealed to the Canada Supreme Court.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Dickson, C.J.)

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