Ramsden v Peterborough (City of)

Ramsden v Peterborough (City of), [1993] 2 SCR 1084 is a leading Supreme Court of Canada decision where the Court struck down a bylaw prohibiting all postering on public property on the grounds that it violated freedom of expression under section 2(b) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Ramsden v. Peterborough (City of)
Supreme Court of Canada
Supreme Court of Canada
Hearing: 1 June 1993
Judgment: 2 September 1993
Full case nameThe Corporation of the City of Peterborough v Kenneth Ramsden
Citations[1993] 2 SCR 1084
Docket No.22787 [1]
Prior historyAPPEAL from Ramsden v. Peterborough (City of), 1991 CanLII 7193 (22 October 1991)
RulingAppeal dismissed
Court membership
Chief Justice: Antonio Lamer
Puisne Justices: Gérard La Forest, Claire L'Heureux-Dubé, John Sopinka, Charles Gonthier, Peter Cory, Beverley McLachlin, Frank Iacobucci, John C. Major
Reasons given
Unanimous reasons byIacobucci J

Background

Kenneth Ramsden was charged on two separate occasions placing posters on hydro poles advertising his band. He claimed that the bylaw was unconstitutional. A justice of the peace found that the bylaw was constitutional and he was fined. The decision was upheld on appeal to the Provincial Court. However, on appeal to the Court of Appeal for Ontario the decision was overturned and it was held that the bylaw was in violation of the right to freedom of expression and could not be saved under section 1 of the Charter.

Opinion of the Court

Justice Iacobucci, writing for a unanimous Court, upheld the decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal.

Iacobucci examined the test for freedom of expression. He stated that section 2(b) is violated where a law, in either purpose or effect, limits expression. He found that the purpose of the bylaw was to do just that. Postering was a form of expression as it conveyed some meaning.

Iacobucci found that even though the purpose of the bylaw was meritious, the absolute ban was not justifiable.


  1. SCC Case Information - Docket 22787 Supreme Court of Canada
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