Reference Re Alberta Statutes

Reference re Alberta Statutes [1938] S.C.R. 100, also known as the Alberta Press case and the Alberta Press Act Reference, is a landmark reference of the Supreme Court of Canada where several provincial laws restricting the press were struck down and the existence of an implied bill of rights protecting civil liberties such as a free press was first proposed.

The province of Alberta had passed several laws including the Accurate News and Information Act which required newspapers to publish rebuttals of criticisms to the government. In a 6 to 3 decision, the Supreme Court struck down the law as ultra vires of the provinces.

External links

• Full text of Supreme Court of Canada decision at LexUM and CanLII