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Legal Research Manual

This edition of Legal Research Manual builds on many previous editions. While the manual is designed principally for use with the first year legal research classes, upper year law students will also find it a useful reference.

Finding Federal Regulations (Online Sources)

Quicklaw, Westlaw, and the Department of Justice all maintain regulations databases that are easy to use and contain regulations which are up to date, usually to the current Gazette. However, always make sure to check for the currency date.

There are two main methods for searching for regulations: browse through lists of act and regulation titles or perform a specific search.

Note: If you are looking for a regulation no longer in effect, you might have to use paper or a "repealed regulation" database.

Example 1: Finding a Regulation by Act

Locate the regulations under the Aeronautics Act, RSC 1985, c A-2.

Department of Justice Website

  • Click on "Consolidated Acts."
  • Select the letter "A" under "Acts by Title.
  • Scroll to the Aeronautics Act.
  • Click on the yellow "R" beside the title.
  • Click on any regulations to display them.

WestlawNext Canada 

  • Under "Browse," click on "Statutes and Regulations."
  • Click on "Federal."
  • Click on "Federal Regulations (English)."
  • Scroll down to Aeronautics Act.
  • Click on the title of the act to display the associated regulations.

Lexis Advance Quicklaw Plus

  • In the "Explore Content" pod, under "Primary Law," click on "Legislation."
  • Under "Jurisdiction," click "Federal."
  • Under "Regulations," click "Canada Regulations"
  • Scroll to the Aeronautics Act.
  • Click on the arrow to the left of the act to display the entire list of associated regulations.

Example 2: Finding a Regulation by Citation

Locate the following regulation: SOR/2002-227.

Department of Justice Website

  • From the click on "Advanced Search" ("Advanced Search" is located on the left menu bar; you may need to scroll down to see it).
  • Type SOR/2002-227 in the "Chapter/Registration number" field and select "Search in Regulations" from the "Search in" drop-down menu.

WestlawNext Canada or Westlaw Edge Canada (law students)

  • Type SOR/2002-227 in the main search box.

Lexis Advance Quicklaw Plus or Lexis Advance Quicklaw (law students)

  • Type SOR/2002-227 in the main search box.

Ensuring You Have the Most Up to Date Information

Don't forget that there may still be a time lag between the filing of regulations and their publication, even in online sources. Because regulations change so often, you should ensure there have been no changes between the currency date listed on the database and today's date. To do this, consult the most recent issues of the Canada Gazette Part II online. You can use the online .pdf version of the Gazette in the same way you use the print version, as outlined above.