On Sunday, May 30, 1982, police officers of the City of Calgary attended at premises owned by Big M whose business is open to the public. They witnessed several transactions including the sale of groceries, plastic cups and a bicycle lock. Big M was charged with a violation of Section 4 of the Lord’s Day Act that says “it is not lawful for any person on the Lord's Day, except as provided herein, or in any provincial Act or law in force on or after the 1st day of March 1907, to sell or offer for sale or purchase any goods, chattels, or other personal property, or any real estate, or to carry on or transact any business of his ordinary calling, or in connection with such calling, or for gain to do, or employ any other person to do, on that day, any work, business, or labour. Big M has challenged the constitutionality of the Lord’s Day Act. The federal Lord's Day Act made it an offence to transact business on Sunday. It was part of a legislative tradition which started in the 17th century in England.
1. Does Big M action prosper?
2. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms applies to government behaviour and not to the private sector. Does Charter have relevance and significance for businesses from the context of Charter of Rights and Freedoms?
The case of Big M v. City of Calgary, which took place in 1982, marked a significant moment in Canadian legal history, particularly in the context of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This case raised questions about the constitutionality of the Lord's Day Act and its impact on individual rights and freedoms. In this answer, we will address two key questions:
1. Does Big M's action prosper? This question focuses on whether the challenge against the Lord's Day Act was successful, and if so, what the implications were.
2. The relevance and significance of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms for businesses: We will discuss how the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, a part of Canada's Constitution, applies not only to government behavior but also to the private sector. This case had broader implications for businesses and individuals regarding their constitutional rights.
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