What is the highest legal authority in the country?

• A. Federal Court
• B. Provincial Supreme Court
• C. Ontario Court of Appeal
• D. Supreme Court of Canada

Answer: (D)

Canada's highest legal authority is the Supreme Court of Canada. It stands at the top of the judicial system, and its decisions are final and binding on every court across the country. It serves as the ultimate court of appeal for both criminal and civil matters and also has the principal role of interpreting the Constitution, resolving questions that affect the entire nation.

The other courts operate under it within their proper jurisdictions: the Federal Court handles federal statutes and issues arising under federal law; the Ontario Court of Appeal is the top court within Ontario for provincial appeals. However, nothing from those courts can override a Supreme Court ruling, and cases involving constitutional questions often rise to the Supreme Court for a nationwide determination.