Criminal Law

R. v. Glad Day Bookshops Inc.

On April 30, 2004, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice held that a statutory scheme requiring the approval of the Ontario Film Review Board before films can be distributed or shown in Ontario violated the guarantee of freedom of expression in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The case arose after Glad Day Bookshops and its owner were charged and convicted under the Theatres Act for distributing a film that had not been approved by the Board.

On appeal from the convictions, the Court struck down the offending sections of the Theatres Act, but suspended its decision for twelve months to allow the government to allow the government to amend the Act to bring it into compliance with the Charter.

Glad Day Bookshops and its owner were represented by Frank Addario and Jonathan Dawe.

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