Court Challenges Program of Canada
Encyclopedia
The Court Challenges Program of Canada (CCP) is a non-profit organization whose stated purpose is "to provide financial assistance for important court cases that advance language and equality rights guaranteed under Canada's Constitution
".
Its history can be traced to 1978, when the federal government
of Canada
began providing assistance for minority language
cases. The government of Brian Mulroney
created an expanded Court Challenges Program in 1985, after the equality section
of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
became law. However, the Mulroney government later withdrew financial support for the program in 1992. This was a controversial decision, and was opposed by many groups supporting social equality. The government of Jean Chrétien
re-established the program in 1994, and the current CCP traces its origins to this period.
The government of Stephen Harper
abolished the $5.5M in funding for the program in 2006. This was again a controversial decision, and was strongly criticized by some socially progressive organizations. The CCP no longer accepts new applications for funding, although it honours pre-existing grants and continues to process requests for reimbursement for these grants.
The program was partially restored in June 2008 for the official languages minority component of the program, under the name Language Rights Support Program
.
Constitution of Canada
The Constitution of Canada is the supreme law in Canada; the country's constitution is an amalgamation of codified acts and uncodified traditions and conventions. It outlines Canada's system of government, as well as the civil rights of all Canadian citizens and those in Canada...
".
Its history can be traced to 1978, when the federal government
Government of Canada
The Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...
of Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
began providing assistance for minority language
Minority language
A minority language is a language spoken by a minority of the population of a territory. Such people are termed linguistic minorities or language minorities.-International politics:...
cases. The government of Brian Mulroney
Brian Mulroney
Martin Brian Mulroney, was the 18th Prime Minister of Canada from September 17, 1984, to June 25, 1993 and was leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada from 1983 to 1993. His tenure as Prime Minister was marked by the introduction of major economic reforms, such as the Canada-U.S...
created an expanded Court Challenges Program in 1985, after the equality section
Section Fifteen of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Section Fifteen of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms contains guaranteed equality rights. As part of the Constitution, the section prohibits certain forms of discrimination perpetrated by the governments of Canada with the exception of ameliorative programs and rights or privileges...
of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is a bill of rights entrenched in the Constitution of Canada. It forms the first part of the Constitution Act, 1982...
became law. However, the Mulroney government later withdrew financial support for the program in 1992. This was a controversial decision, and was opposed by many groups supporting social equality. The government of Jean Chrétien
Jean Chrétien
Joseph Jacques Jean Chrétien , known commonly as Jean Chrétien is a former Canadian politician who was the 20th Prime Minister of Canada. He served in the position for over ten years, from November 4, 1993 to December 12, 2003....
re-established the program in 1994, and the current CCP traces its origins to this period.
The government of Stephen Harper
Stephen Harper
Stephen Joseph Harper is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party. Harper became prime minister when his party formed a minority government after the 2006 federal election...
abolished the $5.5M in funding for the program in 2006. This was again a controversial decision, and was strongly criticized by some socially progressive organizations. The CCP no longer accepts new applications for funding, although it honours pre-existing grants and continues to process requests for reimbursement for these grants.
The program was partially restored in June 2008 for the official languages minority component of the program, under the name Language Rights Support Program
Language Rights Support Program
Language Rights Support Program is a non-profit organisation whose objectives are “to promote awareness of language rights through public education; to offer access to alternative dispute resolution processes to settle disputes out of court; to support litigation that helps to advance and clarify...
.