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Bedard v Dawson, S.C.R. 681 is a leading constitutional decision of the Supreme Court of Canada. The Court held that the provinces could legislate in matters related to the prevention of crime even though the federal government had exclusive power over criminal law.
The law was passed by the Quebec legislature and allowed for private citizens to apply to the Court to close down a premises if it was being used as a "disorderly house". The Court upheld a provincial Act on the grounds that the law was in relation to property and civil rights and not criminal matters as was the case for an equivalent provision in the criminal code regarding "disorderly houses".
Justice Idington, writing for the majority, held that:
In a concurring opinion, Justice Anglin added: