Council of Canadians and Others v. The Queen in Right of Canada

Abstract

Relationship of international law and municipal law — Treaties — Effect in municipal law — Whether North American Free Trade Agreement (“NAFTA”) part of Canada’s municipal law — Whether NAFTA attracting the application of Section 96 of the Constitution Act 1867 — Distinction between parliamentary approval and incorporation of a treaty — Whether North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act 1993 incorporating NAFTA into municipal law

Treaties — Interpretation — Investor-State procedures in NAFTA Chapter 11 — Investor establishing State responsibility of Party for claim — International nature of obligations under NAFTA Chapter 11 — Whether use of Canadian constitutional values and principles to interpret international treaties at odds with international law regarding treaty interpretation

International tribunals — Jurisdiction — Whether NAFTA Chapter 11 granting exclusive jurisdiction to NAFTA tribunals — Whether NAFTA tribunals having jurisdiction to invalidate municipal laws or government practices — NAFTA tribunals addressing treaty obligations and international commitments — Adjudication of treaty rights and obligations by Canadian courts — The law of Canada