R v Keegstra

R v Keegstra
Supreme Court of Canada
Hearing: December 5, 6, 1989
Judgment: December 13, 1990
Full case nameHer Majesty The Queen v James Keegstra
Citations[1990] 3 SCR 697
Docket No.21118 [1]
Prior historyR. v. Keegstra, 1988 ABCA 234; R. v. Keegstra, 1984 CanLII 1313 (AB KB).
RulingCrown appeal allowed; constitutionality of s. 319 of the Criminal Code upheld.
Holding
s.319(3)(a) of the Criminal Code infringe on section 2(b) rights of freedom on expression, but is justified under section 1 of the Charter.
Court membership
Chief Justice: Brian Dickson
Puisne Justices: Antonio Lamer, Bertha Wilson, Gérard La Forest, Claire L'Heureux-Dubé, John Sopinka, Charles Gonthier, Peter Cory, Beverley McLachlin
Reasons given
MajorityDickson CJ, joined by Wilson, L'Heureux-Dubé, and Gonthier JJ
DissentMcLachlin J, joined by Sopinka and La Forest JJ
Lamer and Cory JJ took no part in the consideration or decision of the case.
Laws applied
Irwin Toy Ltd v Quebec (AG) (1989); R v Whyte (1988); R v Oakes (1986); R v Morgentaler (1988); Rocket v Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (1990)

R v Keegstra, [1990] 3 SCR 697 is a freedom of expression decision of the Supreme Court of Canada where the court upheld the Criminal Code provision prohibiting the wilful promotion of hatred against an identifiable group as constitutional under the freedom of expression provision in section 2(b) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It is a companion case to R v Andrews.

  1. ^ SCC Case Information - Docket 21118 Supreme Court of Canada