Statute

A statute (or act) is a written law passed by a legislative body: the Parliament of Canada for federal matters or a provincial or territorial legislature for matters within its jurisdiction under the Constitution. Familiar examples include the Criminal Code (federal) and each province's limitations and employment standards legislation.

Statutes prevail over inconsistent common law rules, so legal research on almost any question begins by asking whether legislation governs. Working with statutes means reading the current consolidated version, checking that amendments are in force, interpreting provisions using the modern approach to statutory interpretation (words read in context, harmoniously with the act's scheme and purpose), and noting up sections to find judicial consideration.