Guidelines for Citing Canadian Legislation in Academic and Professional Writing

How to Cite Canadian Legislation

Citing Canadian legislation is an essential skill for legal professionals, researchers, and students. Proper citation ensures that the source of the legal information is accurately documented, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of legal research and arguments. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to cite Canadian legislation in various citation styles, including APA, MLA, and Chicago.

APA Style

When citing Canadian legislation in APA style, it is important to include the following elements: the title of the act, the year of enactment, the citation number, and the legal database or source. Here is an example:

Act Name. (Year). Citation Number. Legal Database or Source.

For instance:

Canada. (2015). Canada Evidence Act. C-23. CanLII.

MLA Style

In MLA style, the citation format for Canadian legislation is slightly different. The title of the act is followed by the year of enactment, the citation number, and the legal database or source. Here is an example:

“Act Name.” Year. Citation Number. Legal Database or Source.

For instance:

“Canada Evidence Act.” 2015. C-23. CanLII.

Chicago Style

Chicago style requires a different format for citing Canadian legislation. The title of the act is followed by the year of enactment, the citation number, and the legal database or source. Here is an example:

Act Name. Year. Citation Number. Legal Database or Source.

For instance:

Canada. Canada Evidence Act. 2015. C-23. CanLII.

Additional Tips

1. Always check the specific requirements of the legal journal, court, or institution you are submitting your work to, as citation styles may vary.
2. When citing legislation, ensure that you are using the most current version of the act, as laws can be amended or repealed.
3. Pay attention to the formatting guidelines for each citation style, such as capitalization, punctuation, and spacing.

By following these guidelines, you can effectively cite Canadian legislation in your legal research and writing. Proper citation not only demonstrates your knowledge of legal sources but also ensures that your work is credible and reliable.