Ouvrage issu d'une conférence organisée en septembre 1980 par le Conseil consultatif canadien de la situation de la femme. Les textes sont groupés autour de cinq thèmes: les femmes et la réforme constitutionnelle; l'enchâssement des droits; le droit de la famille; le chevauchement des compétences et la condition féminine; les problèmes économiques et sociaux des femmes. [SDM].

A collection of essays presented at a conference to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the release of the Report of the Royal Commission on the Status of Women, Women and the Canadian State both celebrates and critically assesses the Report. Women bureaucrats, activists, and academics consider the impact, successes, and failures of the Report from a variety of viewpoints and reflect on the experience of Canadian women since its publication in 1970.

Constitutions are meant to endure, providing both stability and adaptability. Their public legitimacy depends on the ability of the courts and other interpreters to get this balance right. Why, then, has Canada’s constitution – only four decades old – produced so many surprises? Canada’s Surprising Constitution investigates unexpected interpretations of the Constitution Act, 1982 by the courts. In this illuminating collection of essays, leading scholars reflect on these surprising interpretations, focusing on fundamental freedoms; equality, Aboriginal, and language rights; structural features of the Charter; as well as the courts’ approach to the interpretation of the Constitution. The public legitimacy of the Constitution requires that it be seen as both relevant, as circumstances change, but also true to the values it embodies. The responsibility for getting this balance right lies not only with judges but also with legislatures, executives, scholars, advocates, and public interest organizations. The thoughtful work of this volume is crucial in identifying, accounting for, and – looking ahead – anticipating potential surprises. Its thorough analysis also offers a view of the Constitution in action.