Citation of statutes is quite straightforward. It takes the following form:
short title, statute volume (including jurisdiction and year), chapter number, section number (if needed).
Example of a statute in an annual statute volume: Fewer Politicians Act, SO 1996, c 28, s 3.
Example of a statute in a revised statute volume: Mining Act, RSO 1990, c M.14.
RSO 1990 stands for the Revised Statutes of Ontario 1990
RSC 1985 stands for the Revised Statutes of Canada 1985
Examples:
Employment Standards Act, RSO 1990, c E.14.
Canada Elections Act, RSC 1985, c E-2.
SO stands for Statutes of Ontario.
SC stands for Statutes of Canada.
Examples:
Photo Card Act, 2008, SO 2008, c 17.
Species at Risk Act, SC 2002, c 29.
Examples:
Photo Card Act, 2008, SO 2008, c 17.
Species at Risk Act, SC 2002, c 29.
Examples:
Photo Card Act, 2008, SO 2008, c 17, s 8.
Species at Risk Act, SC 2002, c 29, ss 5, 7-12.
Note that "section" is abbreviated to "s" and "sections" is abbreviated to "ss". Unlike books and journal articles, there is no "at."
Notes:
When you cite to a statute, it is assumed you are citing to the current version of the statute. It is only necessary to include a reference to an amending statute in the citation if it is relevant to a point being discussed. To include an amending statute, cite the original statute first, followed by "as amended by" and the citation of the new act. Include the name of the amending statute only if it differs from the original act.
Example:
Hay and Straw Inspection Act, RSC 1985, c H-2, as amended by An Act to Amend the Department of Agriculture Act and to amend or repeal certain other Acts, SC 1994, c 38.
This citation is referring to federal legislation, the Hay and Straw Inspection Act, chapter H-2 in the 1985 Revised Statutes, which has been amended by a statute found in chapter 38 of the 1994 annual statutes.
If needed, you can also indicate you are citing to a statute as it looked at a particular point in time. See 2.1.2 for more details.