Reference to the Court of Appeal of Quebec concerning the Genetic Non-Discrimination Act enacted by sections 1 to 7 of the Act to prohibit and prevent genetic discrimination

MONTREAL, July 7, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - By Order in Council of the Government of Quebec bearing number 522-2017, the following constitutional question is referred to the Court of Appeal for hearing and consideration:

Is the Genetic Non-Discrimination Act enacted by sections 1 to 7 of the Act to prohibit and prevent genetic discrimination, (S.C. 2017, c. 3) ultra vires to the jurisdiction of the Parliament of Canada over criminal law under paragraph 91 (27) of the Constitution Act, 1867?

This Order in Council was filed with the Office of the Court of Appeal for the District of Montreal under docket No. 500-09-026870-170 on June 19, 2017.

Pursuant to Section 4 of the Court of Appeal Reference Act, all Attorneys General have until August 25, 2017, to file a written appearance with the Office of the Court of Appeal.

Any other intervention must be effected by a written request to the Chief Justice or to a judge designated by the Chief Justice and filed with the Office of the Court of Appeal by no later than August 25, 2017.

Subsequently, the Chief Justice will hold a preliminary session to determine, if necessary, the conditions of intervention in this matter and to prepare a timetable for the conduct of the case.

(signed)

Nicole Duval Hesler
Chief Justice of Quebec

SOURCE Cabinet de la juge en chef de la Cour d''appel du Québec

Source: Office of the Honourable Nicole Duval Hesler, Chief Justice of Quebec; For further information contact: Mtre Julie Devroede, Assistant Legal Coordinator, Telephone: [phone], ext. 51259, E-mail: [email protected]