The office of Justice of the Peace was transplanted from England to Canada in 1763 as a result of the Royal Proclamation of 1763, which decreed that the law of England, both civil and criminal, was to be imposed upon all the territory of what subsequently became Canada.
Despite this common history and despite the superficial similarity, there are differences between the judicial systems of the two nations. These differences may be reflected in the symbols displayed within the courtroom, the organization of the courts and the legal professions, the procedure of the court and the origin and nature of the laws being enforced.
These lesson plans can be used prior to a courthouse visit or a classroom visit from a justice sector professional. Strategies are provided for introducing students to the structure of the justice system in Ontario, as well as tips on courtroom etiquette and interacting with justice sector professionals.
Courtrooms & Classrooms is OJEN's signature program. It is also the umbrella under which related justice education activities take place. The 2006 edition of the Courtrooms & Classrooms manual provides an overview of OJEN and Courtrooms & Classrooms activities, ideas for speaking with students, organizing justice education activities and resources.
This handout describes the process used to create new laws at the federal and provincial levels. It describes the roles of the executive, judiciary and legislative branches of government as they pertain to law making, and includes information on the various ways people influence lawmaking, from public opinion to voting.
Restorative justice is based on the principle that criminal behaviour harms not only the victim(s) of crime, but also the community and the wrongdoer(s) as well. Restorative justice responds to crime by addressing the harm caused to victims, holding wrongdoers accountable for their actions, and restoring relationships with the community.
This handout provides an overview of the various roles involved in the criminal justice system, including Crown attorney, criminal defence counsel, duty counsel, court clerk, court artist, court reporter, surety and trial coordinator, among others.
This handout provides an overview of the structures of the court system in Canada, including descriptions of the Supreme Court of Canada, the provincial and territorial courts, and the federal courts.
People in Canada benefit from a generous system of rights and freedoms that is guaranteed by law and protected by the courts. This handout explores the legal foundations of these in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.Suitable as a follow-up to the OJEN handout, ‘The Canadian Constitution’, this resource highlights key rights and freedoms and encourages students to delve deeper into the Charter by examining the mechanisms by which it is applied, enforced and even modified.
This handout provides an overview of the structure of the courts in Ontario, including the jurisdictions of the Ontario Court of Justice, the Superior Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal for Ontario.
