Administrative Law

Under the Federal Courts Act, the Federal Court has exclusive jurisdiction to review the actions and decisions of most federal boards, commissions, and administrative tribunals. This includes any body or person exercising powers under federal law. On this basis, most government decisions at the federal level may be challenged in the Federal Court,* including but not limited to decisions regarding:

  • citizenship, immigration and refugee protection
  • federal elections
  • band elections and First Nations governance
  • official languages
  • privacy and access to information
  • prisoner grievances and parole decisions
  • human rights
  • environmental assessments
  • public works
  • public sector employment and the Public Service Integrity Commissioner
  • national security
  • military discipline, military pensions and RCMP discipline
  • private sector employment in federal works, undertakings and businesses
  • aeronautics and transportation
  • oceans and fisheries
  • judicial discipline

*Some federal matters, as set out in the Federal Courts Act, are subject to review in the Federal Court of Appeal rather than the Federal Court.

Relevant Statutes

In addition to the Federal Courts Act, over 100 statutes confer jurisdiction to the Federal Court in administrative law matters. The following is a selected list:

Date modified: 2019-04-14

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