Glossary of Laws and Legal Reviewers (Legal Information for Indigenous People)

An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Metis Children, Youth and Families (Bill C-92)

The purpose of the Bill is to recognize Indigenous People’s jurisdiction over child and family services, as part of an inherent and Aboriginal right to self-governance; to establish national standards in this area, in response to the TRC’s Call to Action #4; and to contribute to the implementation of UNDRIP. - Yellowhead Institute

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (the "Charter")

The principal rights and freedoms covered by the Charter include: freedom of expression; the right to a democratic government; the right to live and seek work anywhere in Canada; the legal rights of people accused of crimes; the rights of Indigenous peoples; the right to equality including gender equality; the right to use Canada’s official languages; and the right of French or English minorities to an education in their language. - Canadian Encyclopedia

The Canadian Constitution Act

Section 35: Instituted in 1982, Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution recognizes and affirms existing aboriginal and treaty rights including land claim agreements, and guarantees those rights equally to “both male and female persons.” It also clarifies that “aboriginal peoples of Canada” includes “Indian, Inuit, and Métis” peoples. - CRE Explains UNDRIP

Child, Family and Community Service Act (CFCSA)

Child protection services in BC are intended to safeguard children from harm. Where there is reason to believe a child has been abused or neglected, or is otherwise in need of protection, child protection social workers have the delegated authority to investigate and take appropriate action to ensure that child’s safety.

Criminal Code

Defines the conduct that constitutes criminal offences; sets out defenses that a person can raise if they are charged; establishes the kind and degree of punishment that may be imposed on someone convicted of an offence; describes the powers and procedures to be followed for investigation and prosecution of an offence. - Government of Canada website

With respect to courts, (1) the authority of the court to hear an action and make orders, (2) the limits of the authority of a particular judicial official, (3) the geographic location of a court, or (4) the territorial limits of a court's authority. With respect to governments, (5) the authority of a government to make legislation as determined by the constitution, or (6) the limits of authority of a particular government agency. See “constitution."

Real property; a parcel of real property and the buildings upon it. See also "chattel," "ownership" and "possession."

(1) The assertion of a legal right to an order or to a thing; (2) the remedy or relief sought by a party to a court proceeding.

A court proceeding in which one party sues another for a specific remedy or relief, also called a "lawsuit" or a "case." An action for divorce, for example, is a court proceeding in which the claimant sues the respondent for the relief of a divorce order.

A person who is younger than the legal age of majority, 19 in British Columbia. See "age of majority."