Introduction to Public Law for Administrators

3 credits · Undergraduate

This course examines the constitutional foundations and contemporary operation of the Canadian administrative state. It introduces students to the legal principles that structure public authority, constrain executive action, and shape institutional design in Canada. The course begins with the constitutional architecture of public power—constitutional supremacy, parliamentary sovereignty, federalism, and separation of powers—and then turns to the modern administrative state, focusing on delegation, discretion, procedural fairness, and judicial review. Particular attention is paid to how courts evaluate administrative decisions and how public actors can design and justify decisions that withstand legal scrutiny. Students will engage with leading Supreme Court of Canada decisions and consider how legality, legitimacy, and democratic accountability intersect in contemporary governance. No prior legal training is required. RESTRICTIONS: Fourth year standing