This is an educational resource based on the Wikipedia article about the Federal Court of Appeal of Canada. Read the full source article here. (opens in new tab)

The Federal Court of Appeal

An authoritative guide to the jurisdiction, history, and key decisions of Canada's federal appellate court.

Court Overview ๐Ÿ‘‡ Judicial Appointments ๐Ÿง‘โ€โš–๏ธ

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!


When you are ready...
๐ŸŽฎ Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game๐ŸŽฎ

Court Overview

Mandate and Jurisdiction

The Federal Court of Appeal (FCA) is a Canadian appellate court tasked with hearing cases concerning federal matters. It plays a crucial role in the administration of justice across Canada, reviewing decisions made by federal boards, commissions, and tribunals.

Establishment and Location

Established in 2003, the Federal Court of Appeal succeeded the Appeal Division of the Federal Court of Canada. Its primary location is in Ottawa, Ontario, serving as the central hub for its federal appellate functions.

Appellate Pathway

As an appellate court, the FCA hears appeals from decisions rendered by the Federal Court and the Tax Court of Canada. Further appeals from the FCA lie with the Supreme Court of Canada, the highest court in the Canadian judicial system.

Evolution of the Court

Origins

The foundation for the Federal Court of Appeal was laid in 1971 with the creation of the Federal Court of Canada. This court was established under Section 101 of the Constitution Act, 1867, empowering Parliament to create courts for the better administration of federal laws. The original Federal Court comprised both a Trial Division and an Appeal Division.

Restructuring

A significant structural change occurred on July 2, 2003. The Courts Administration Service Act led to the division of the Federal Court of Canada into two distinct entities: the Federal Court of Appeal, which inherited the responsibilities of the former Appeal Division, and the new Federal Court, which took over the functions of the former Trial Division.

Scope of Authority

Appellate Role

The primary function of the Federal Court of Appeal is to review decisions made by lower federal courts and specific administrative tribunals. It ensures that federal laws are interpreted and applied correctly, providing a critical layer of judicial oversight.

Original Jurisdiction

Beyond appeals, the FCA also exercises original jurisdiction. This includes hearing applications for judicial review of decisions made by various federal tribunals and hearing appeals concerning specific federal matters as stipulated by legislation.

Key Tribunals Reviewed

The court's original jurisdiction covers judicial review of numerous federal bodies, including but not limited to:

  • Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)
  • Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT)
  • Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB)
  • Copyright Board of Canada
  • Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA)
  • Competition Tribunal

Judicial Compensation

Annual Remuneration

Judicial salaries are determined annually by the Judicial Compensation and Benefits Commission. As of recent data (circa 2020), the Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Appeal receives an annual salary of $344,400. Other justices, including supernumerary judges, earn $314,100 annually.

Landmark Rulings

Mรฉtis Rights Case

In April 2014, the court delivered a significant ruling in favour of the Mรฉtis people. This decision affirmed the extension of certain constitutional protections to Mรฉtis individuals living off-reserve, recognizing their status as Aboriginal peoples in Canada.

Citizenship Ceremony Niqab Case

In September 2015, the Federal Court of Appeal addressed a contentious issue regarding religious attire. The court dismissed an appeal by the Government of Canada concerning a rule that banned the wearing of the niqab during citizenship ceremonies, finding such a ban unconstitutional.

Judicial Appointments

Current and Past Justices

The Federal Court of Appeal comprises a Chief Justice and seventeen other justices. Appointments are made by the Governor General in Council, based on recommendations from the Prime Minister. The table below outlines some of the notable appointments to the court.

Name Date Appointed Nominated by Prime Minister Prior Judicial Office
Yves De Montigny 2015
2023 (as Chief Justice)
Harper
Trudeau (as Chief Justice)
Federal Court
David W. Stratas 2009 Harper Partner at Heenan Blaikie LLP
Wyman W. Webb 2012 Harper Tax Court
Richard Boivin 2014 Harper Federal Court
Donald J. Rennie 2015 Harper Federal Court
Mary J.L. Gleason 2015 Harper Federal Court
Judith Woods 2016 Trudeau Tax Court
John B. Laskin 2017 Trudeau Partner at Torys LLP
George R. Locke 2019 Trudeau Federal Court
Anne Mactavish 2019 Trudeau Federal Court, Canadian Human Rights Commission
Renรฉ Leblanc 2020 Trudeau Federal Court
Siobhan Monaghan 2021 Trudeau Tax Court
Sylvie Roussel 2022 Trudeau Federal Court
Nathalie Goyette 2022 Trudeau Partner, Davies
Gerald Heckman 2023 Trudeau Professor, University of Manitoba
Monica Biringer 2023 Trudeau Tax Court
Elizabeth Walker 2024 Trudeau Federal Court
Vanessa Rochester 2024 Trudeau Federal Court
Panagiotis Pamel 2024 Trudeau Federal Court

Ref: Federal Court of Appeal Official Website

Teacher's Corner

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

Edit and Print Materials from this study in the wiki2web studio
Click here to open the "Federal Court Of Appeal" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit

Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Learn about federal_court_of_appeal while playing the wiki2web Clarity Challenge game.
Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!

Play now

References

References

A full list of references for this article are available at the Federal Court of Appeal Wikipedia page

Feedback & Support

To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.

Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is derived from publicly available data, primarily from Wikipedia, and may not reflect the most current legal interpretations or developments.

This is not legal advice. The information provided herein is not a substitute for professional legal consultation, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified legal professional with any questions you may have regarding a legal matter. Never disregard professional legal advice or delay in seeking it because of information obtained from this website.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.