Legislation Help

CanLII reproduces consolidations of statutes and regulations as published by official printers from the federal and provincial jurisdictions. Prior and updated versions of legislative materials are available for the federal and provincial jurisdiction in what we call "point-in-time databases".

Point-in-time Databases

Point-in-time databases provide you with access not only to a current, up-to-date version of the consolidated legislative text, but also to past versions. Moreover, the following search tools are available for these databases:

  • Once a search query has been launched, the "All versions" sort option available in the "Legislation" tab.
  • A versions comparison tool which allows easy identification of the parts of text that have been changed (see for instance the COMPARE button available in the "Version" tab of the Access to Information Act).

There are two types of versions in CanLII's point-in-time databases, depending upon whether or not CanLII was able to establish the coming into force dates of amendments made to the texts: "in force version" and "posted version".

An "in force version" displays the legislative text as it was legally binding during the period shown (see for instance versions of the Access to Information Act, RSC 1985, c A-1). You should, however, note that the binding nature of a legislative enactment at a given moment in time may vary for different situations. You remain responsible to check whether or not the text applies to your specific situation.

A "posted version" displays the legislative text as it was posted on the official printer's website and downloaded by CanLII at the dates shown (see for instance versions of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency General Rules, CRC, c 368). The dates associated to these versions do not match their commencement dates.

Consolidated statutes are provided with in force versions and most consolidated regulations are provided with posted versions.

Important Notices

Disclaimer. CanLII has made every effort to ensure that legislative documents on this site as well as their associated data are accurate. However, these materials are provided for your convenience only and CanLII does not accept any responsibility for their use.

Copyright. CanLII reproduces legislative documents pursuant to license agreements made with their official publishers, most of which reserve copyrights in these materials. You remain responsible for checking with the copyright owner whether or not you may reproduce legislative materials posted on this website, and under which conditions. Please note that, under the Reproduction of Federal Law Order, you may reproduce legislative materials from the federal level, provided that due diligence is exercised in ensuring the accuracy of the materials reproduced and that the reproduction is not represented as an official version.

Glossary

Annual Legislation (Législation annuelle)
Text of a statute as having received the Royal assent, or text of a regulation as being deposited or registered at a given date, regardless of any subsequent amendment. Annual statutes for all Canadian jurisdictions are now available on CanLII.
Coming into Force, Commencement (Entrée en vigueur)
Time when a legislative enactment, including amendments made to consolidated legislation, starts to be legally binding on citizens.
Consolidation (Codification)
Legislative documents which, because they are permanent in nature and of public interest, are updated from time to time as amending legislation comes into force. These texts evolve through time. Consolidated legislation mainly includes the revised statutes or regulations of a jurisdiction such as the Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985 (RSC 1985). A consolidation often also includes some "annual" legislation which may not be included in the official revision but are nevertheless consolidated, as for example the Physical Activity and Sport Act, SC 2003, c 2.
Repealed, Spent or Not in Force Legislation (Législation abrogée, caduque ou non en vigueur)
Statute or regulation which is no longer in force, either because it was formally repealed (revoked for a regulation), because its expiration date has passed, or because the commencement of a new legislation makes it obsolete or without authority. Repealed or spent legislation may nevertheless continue to apply to some specific situations. A replaced legislation is deemed to be repealed. A not in force legislation has not started yet to be legally binding on citizens.
Update by CanLII (Mise à jour par CanLII)
Download by CanLII of legislative materials from an official printer's website, at a given date. CanLII updates point-in-time legislative databases on a weekly basis. For other legislative databases, no update is performed.
Version (Version)
State of a consolidated legislative text, either as it was in force during a certain period ("in force version") or as it was posted on the official printer's website as being frequently updated, and downloaded by CanLII at a specific date ("posted version").